Book 2

Question 1

Showing the destructive side of metis along with the dishonesty and trickery of the Greeks

Answer 1

‘Sinon was ready with his Greek arts and stratagems’

Question 2

Shows the cruelty of the gods with the terrible fate of Laocoon the priest of Neptune at the hands of the false portent snakes sent by Minerva

Answer 2

‘his priestly ribbons befouled by gore and black venom’

Question 3

Shows the savagery of the Greeks (Achilles) and of war with the effects shown on the ghost of Hector as he warns Aeneas to leave Troy

Answer 3

“He looked as he did when he had been dragged behind the chariot, black with dust and caked with blood, his feet swollen where they had been pierced”

Question 4

Pyrrhus/ Neptolemus’ (Achilles’ self proclaimed degenerate son) serpentine description - showing savagery of the Greeks

Answer 4

“He was like a snake which was fed on poisonous herbs”
“Poised to strike”

Question 5

Aeneas reflects on why he wanted to kill Helen (furor with reason?)

Answer 5

“The passion flared in my heart and I longed in my anger to avenge my country.”

Question 6

Priam’s pietas in the face of death - his death symbolising the fall of Troy - there’s nothing else Aeneas can do but leave

Answer 6

‘The old man buckled his armour… on shoulders trembling with age’

Question 7

Aeneas reflects on the furor shown by both him and his men using an animalistic simile after first leading his men into battle with the words ‘let us die’

Answer 7

‘Like wolves foraging on a misty night, driven out of their lairs by a ravening hunger that gives them no rest’

Question 8

Pietas shown by Aeneas as he leads his family out of Troy

Answer 8

‘So anxious was I, so afraid both for the man I carried and the child at my side’

Question 9

Venus shows him that the gods are causing the fall of Troy

Answer 9

‘It is Jupiter himself who is rousing the gods against the armies of Troy’

Question 10

Creusa (as a ghost) tells Aeneas a little about his future

Answer 10

‘There prosperity is waiting for you, and a kingdom and a royal bride.’

Question 11

Jupiter sends signs that persuade Anchises and Aeneas to leave Troy

Answer 11

‘The flame seemed to lick his soft hair’ (Ascanius)

‘Scarcely had he spoken when a sudden peal of thunder rang out on the left and a star fell from the sky’