In Poem 51, Catullus writes about a love so passionate (and one-sided) that it basically physically impairs him. Upon seeing Lesbia, he can't speak or see, and has shooting pains in his limbs. This feeling of love, or possibly just infatuation, also presents Catullus with emotional difficulties: the average man who he watches Lesbia speak to becomes a god in his mind, and he has to yell at himself in the end. The tone of this poem ranges from passionate to desperate to annoyed and vexed.
Through this poem, Catullus shows readers that he really cares about love. We see that this is one of the most important things that matters to Catullus in life. Therefore, Poem 51 can be classified as a "classical poem." It speaks to readers beyond its time period, because it is something most of us have felt in our lifetime. Maybe dramatized, but honest - Catullus wraps every feeling of love at first sight, a crush, or infatuation into a brief four stanza poem.
Some good observations here, Rebs. I especially like how you notice the tone of the poem changing, and how Catullus exaggerates the drama of infatuation.
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