Comic Callimacheanism in Catullus 67

summary:

Catullus 67 makes heavy use of the narrative and discursive traditions of the Roman comic stage. Through a close reading of the poem, this article demonstrates that Catullus has skillfully intertwined these comic features with the traditions of Callimachean aetiology. In so doing, Catullus cleverly underscores the position of the “mundane” within his own sophisticated poetics, simultaneously affirming his allegiance to Callimachean techne and celebrating his freedom from generic limitations.