Abstract
By applying Sartrean existentialism to Catullus’ poetry, points of emotional conflict that the speaker experiences are clarified. When Lesbia acts unfaithfully, the speaker claims to leave her behind. This displays the speaker following Roman societal norms. By doing what one ought do with no other reasoning, the speaker is making an inauthentic choice. Eventually the speaker comes to realize the difficulty of his decision and notices he may not be ready to stop loving her. Yet he continues to claim that he will definitely leave her in “bad faith”. The speaker then realizes that he does, in fact, want to continue loving Lesbia. By restoring his views that were corrupted by Roman societal standards back to his inherent capacity to love, the speaker is making an authentic choice. The speaker must deal with the radical freedom that his authentic choice provides him with. The radical freedom coerces him into asking questions that cause inescapable feelings of anxiety and dread. Therefore, by disregarding social norms and making an authentic choice to continue loving Lesbia, the speaker subjects himself to feelings of dread and anxiety.
Published Version
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