Stylistic Features 12-22

Question 1

Lines 14-15

Answer 1

16 syllables in each line. Predominantly dactylic- pace has quickened - excitement as town mouse suggests fun and adventure

Direct speech is surprising - excitement

Question 2

Carpe viam

Answer 2

Literally ‘pluck the road’. Reminds of Horace’s ‘carpe diem’ (ie. grab the opportunity.)

this and crede mihi are supposed to sound colloquial and friendly

Question 3

Lines 14-15 // lines 16-17

Answer 3

Metre slows to 14 syllables a line. Some elision.

Rate slows because ,in mock serious fashion, the country mouse is injecting dose of philosophy.

One scholar says ‘philosophy here is a parody of digested Epicureanism.’

Epicureans (followers of Epicurus) said should not fear death. Humour here in the absurdity of mouse uttering philosophical technicalities .

Question 4

quo, bone, circa

Answer 4

Slightly pompous touch, words quo and circa belong as one word.

Literary device, TMESIS. When one word is broken and a word squeezed inbetween.

Question 5

haec ubi dicta

Answer 5

Mock grandeur

As we might expect in the epic work of Virgil

Question 6

domo levis exsilit; inde…

Answer 6

Sibilance of ‘s’ provides possible onomatopoeia.
Assonance of ‘i’

Mice squeaking?

Humour - implicit contrast between strong epic hero, archilles, leaping lightly due to strength and a mouse jumping nimbly because he’s tiny.

Question 7

urbis aventes moenia nocturni subrepere

Answer 7

Reasons of safety and security, mice are keen to get inside under cover of darkness