Stylistic Features 1-11

Question 1

Rusticus urbanum murem mus

Verterem vetus hospes amicum

Answer 1

2 good examples of chiasmus

Effect of patterning contrasts the mice
Give story something of the flavour of an epic poem

Question 2

asper et attentus

Answer 2

Asper = austerely simple life/ ordinary

Juxtaposition of meanings demonstrates differences in personality and character

Question 3

quid multa

Answer 3

Shortened from ‘quid multa dicum’

Chatty feel to poem

Question 4

seposti ciceris

Answer 4

Chickpea = valued food item in Roman times. As been put into store, likely to be rather old - demonstrates his wealth or rather lack of

Question 5

avenae

Answer 5

Cereal plant, diet of lower class

Textbook says plural but really singular - emphasises how simple and frugal the country mouse is

Question 6

Lardi frusta

Answer 6

Represents pork that was Italian peasants staple meat. Compares mouse to peasant

Question 7

fastidia cena vincere tangentis male singula dente superbo

Answer 7

clear indication of town mouse’s character, fussiness and haughtiness.

Agreement of adjective = transferred epithet

Question 8

Pater ipse domus

Answer 8

Grand title whimsically applied to country mouse, variation on paterfamilias

Question 9

Palea

Answer 9

Chaff = husks of corn, separated from the rest.

In english, word refers to rubbish or something worthless.

Question 10

Esset adhor loliumque

Answer 10

Adhor = type of wheat grain
Lolium = type of wed that grows amid crops