Final answer:
Catullus was a Latin poet, part of the New Lyric movement in Roman literature. His work broke from traditional poetic forms, employing a unique mix of formal language and colloquial expressions to express personal emotions and societal critique.
Step-by-step explanation:
Catullus was a notable figure in the history of Roman literature. He was a poet who, despite his privileged upbringing, chose to devote his poetry to challenging and subverting the traditional Roman ideals of masculinity, known as "Vir." His works often featured criticisms of significant figures such as Julius Caesar and Sulla, as well as personal proclamations of love and lust, thereby pioneering a brand new style of verse contrary to what was traditionally expected of poetry during his time.
The correct answer to the question of Catullus' literary identity is: Catullus was a Latin poet, part of the New Lyric movement. His poetry employed a bold combination of refined sentiment, colloquial language, and at times, obscenity, which unsettled many of Rome's more conservative citizens. By using the pseudonym Lesbia for his lover, a likely reference to the Greek island of Lesbos where the renowned poet Sappho lived, Catullus also connected his work with the broader tradition of love poetry.
Roman society during the Late Republic, which was a period of great upheaval and sociopolitical change, provided a fertile ground for Catullus' work. Art that critiques the status quo often flourishes in such times, and Catullus' approach to poetry certainly reflected this phenomenon, leaving a lasting impact on Roman literature and poetry overall.