Horace Satire 2.2

Question 1

What is Horace Satire 2.2 about?

Answer 1

Greed and moderation
The entire thing is the peasant teaching of Ofellus
Finding the golden mean between meanness and excess

Question 2

What are the main characters in this satire?

Answer 2

Avidienus - symbolises stingy meanness
Ofellus - emblem of simplicity

Question 3

What are the key themes?

Answer 3

Contrast between life in the town and in the country
Benefits of simple country living
Wolf vs dog (overconsumption vs underconsumption)

Question 4

Quote x 2 - criticism of overconsumption

Answer 4

Huge dishes of giant turbot bring huge disgrace and loss
Longing for death, lacking even the means to buy a rope

Question 5

What happens to Ofellus at the end of the satire and what is his reaction?

Answer 5

He loses his farm
But he is able to live happily as he is not too attached to material goods

Question 6

What does Horace claim are the benefits of simple living and a simple diet?

Answer 6

Promotes good health and sleep
Allows for better health in old age

Question 7

Quote - modesty allows one to better cope with adversity

Answer 7

A person should have “wisely in peace prepared for war”

Question 8

Quote - criticism of overconsumption and vanity

Answer 8

People are “seduced by vain show” in a dinner party with really overly fancy dishes