Throughout Catullus’s 76 poem, we see him struggling to get over a relationship. He begins to describe it as some kind of a sickness that he can not overcome. He writes, “I’m no longer asking that she love me back, or — impossible — that she be chaste; I want to get well, put away this foul sickness. Oh gods, give me this for what I’ve done right.” (Lines 23-26). We see that Catullus so badly wants to overcome his feelings, but is unable to do so. Similarly, Panic! At the Disco’s song “Nicotine” displays a very similar message. The song goes, “You’re worse than nicotine. Just one more hit and then we’re through, ‘Cause you could never love me back. Cut every tie I have to you, ‘Cause your love’s a f*cking drag, But I need it so bad”. Here, they describe love as being similar to a nicotine addiction, something that they can’t get rid of by themselves.
Even though Catullus is talking about a sickness and Panic! At the Disco is talking about addiction, I think that their feelings are very similar. They both appear to be wanting to get rid of their feelings for another person, but are trapped by their unwanted love. Even though it seems clear to both of them that they should not be getting back with their lover, they simply can’t resist.
“I’m no longer asking that she love me back,
or — impossible — that she be chaste;
I want to get well, put away this foul sickness.
Oh gods, give me this for what I’ve done right.”
(Catullus 76, Lines 23-26)