A TE IN CATULLUS POEM 50: A PUN

In Catullus 50, after an enjoyable day writing poetry with Licinius Calvus, the poet warns his friend not to ignore him lest Nemesis punish him for it, ne poenas Nemesis reposcat a te ('lest Nemesis demand punishment from you'). It will be proposed in this article that, in keeping with neoteric ideals, Catullus is playing on the phrase a te to create a bilingual pun on the Greek word ?t? 'delusion', 'mental blindness (often divinely sent)'.

Automated summary

This article proposes that Catullus, in line with neoteric ideals, uses the phrase "a te" in his poetry to create a bilingual pun on the Greek word "?t?" meaning "delusion" or "mental blindness (often divinely sent)."