160-172: The Perfect Storm

Question 1

magno misceri murmure

Answer 1

onomatopoeia - moaning ‘m’ alliteration reflects the rumbling of the oncoming storm

-ri mur- -mur -re assonance compounds this

Question 2

incipit, insequitur

Answer 2

enjambement + asyndeton - reflects speed with which the cloud forms, reinforced by alliterative in- in- beat

Question 3

commixta grandine nimbus

Answer 3

repeated syntax from Juno’s second speech, highlights her efficacy

Question 4

et…et…que

Answer 4

polysyndeton: conveys total panic through the multitude of actions it brings together

Question 5

passim

Answer 5

compounds sense of confusion

Question 6

diversa… tecta

Answer 6

hyperbaton and enjambment enacts scattering ‘per agros’

Question 7

petiere; ruunt

Answer 7

asyndetic juxtaposition ups the tempo

Question 8

ruunt de montibus amnes

Answer 8

pathetic fallacy: angry and dramatic weather reflects Juno’s power and her divine intervention

Question 9

…deveniunt

Answer 9

almost verbatim repetition of Juno’s plan, except verb is now present - plan is now realised

enjambment of verb enacts its meaning: down

Question 10

Tellus & aether

Answer 10

neither of these gods are standard in the context of a Roman wedding: legitimacy of wedding is questionable

Question 11

signum

Answer 11

meaning is ambiguous - adds to the mysteriousness of the proceedings

Question 12

fulsere ignes

Answer 12

hendiadys - emphasises the haunting, rather than romantic, nature of these torches

Question 13

conubiis

Answer 13

enjambed

Question 14

ulularunt

Answer 14

reason for this is ambiguous, it’s usually done in mourning and so has an ominous nature, probably foreshadowing the tragic of this short-lived pseudo-marriage

Question 15

primus… primus

Answer 15

repetition emphasises how this is a major turning point in the narrative, it sets in motion a chain of events which will unavoidably end in consequences ‘leti’ and ‘malorum’

Question 16

neque enim specie famave movetur

Answer 16

opposite of what a marriage should do, in Roman eyes, the wife is expected to uphold the couple’s name as an entity

Question 17

conigium vocat

Answer 17

glaring omission of Aeneas’ name, it is only Dido who calls it a marriage

Question 18

hoc praetexit nomine culpam

Answer 18

warps purpose traditional wedding - it should be a joyous pairing of two mutual lovers, not a vehicle for covering up a shameful sexual misdemeanour