Untergehende Sonnen und generationelle Konflikte

Die Bedeutung von Lichtmetaphern in Catulls Lesbia-Gedichten

Abstract

Metaphors of light and colours emphasise the meaning of concept in a special way. Persons, objects and ideas undergo enhancement, when illuminated, and when obscured, they are devalued. The reversal of this connection may seem paradox, however, it partly appears in some Carmina by the Roman poet C. Valerius Catullus (84 – 54 BC), which deal with the Inarrator’s relationship with the unfaithful Lesbia. Using unconventional concepts of partnership, in which the man submits to a deified female lover, these poems reflect the programme of the poetry circle of the young Neoterics, whose answer to the strict ancient Roman conservatism was a withdrawal from society. As their most famous member Catullus accumulates the way of thinking of a new generation in his works with regard to formal aspects and contents. It is a provoking way in which the Neoterics differ from the dominant older generation. This conflict finds special expression in the poems about Lesbia and influences the intentional substance of the occurring metaphors of light.