Catullus 72

The theme of this poem is talking about the love Catullus has for Lesbia. The loving relationship Catullus has for Lesbia is based on the balance of many aspects of a relationship but especially the balance of more love and less respect. This is the most essential balance because he ends the poem with this balance which really makes the reader remember the tone Catullus is trying to portray in his relationship with Lesbia. There are many other balances he uses to shape the relationship. For example, he uses the word "nosse" and "cognovi" which implies Catullus thinks he knew that Lesbia was a respectful person to him, but now he knows she is not. This is why I believe he says, "amare magis, sed bene velle minus" at the end of the poem because he still loves her but respects her less. Next, he balances the way he is going to love and cherish her by balancing "vulgus" and "pater". This reveals that the love he has for Lesbia is both a protecting love and a everlasting love. The everlasting love comes from the common man loving his mistress and the protecting love comes from that, but also how a father loves to protect his sons and his sons-in-law from any harm. There are many more balances throughout this poem that further shape the type of relationship and love Catullus and Lesbia have.