Gobbets

Question 1

Step 1

Answer 1

Contextualise the passage:
“This passage comes from the beginning of Thucydides’ History and explainable reasons for the outbreak of war between Athens and Sparta. As such it offers an important framework for understanding Thucydides work as a whole. Later, such as in the Sicilian Expedition, Thucydides will repeat this division of true and alleged causes for action.”

Question 2

Step 2

Answer 2

Examine the language:
“Thucydides shows his sympathy for Athens by pointing out that the Athenians cleverly forced the Spartans to fight when the Spartans didn’t want to.”

Question 3

Step 3

Answer 3

Do not require a formal conclusion, but maybe just a very short sentence to tie it together.
“This passage from the beginning of Thucydides work therefore points forward to many themes we will see later.”