View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which member of the arguing pair squabbling for his attention does Ovid choose?

2. When does Ovid marry for the first time?

3. What better part of himself does Ovid refer to in Amores 1:15?

4. What are many of the instructions Ovid gives his lover in the fourth poem of Amores Book I?

5. In Amores 2:5, what does Ovid witness his lover doing?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Ovid at the chariot races.

2. Why is Elegy lame and "short in one foot" in the beginning of Amores book 2?

3. What is the event that happens to cause Ovid to first offer an elegy and then scorn regarding the writing tablet?

4. Why does Corinna's hair fall out? What does Ovid recommend as a solution?

5. What difference does Ovid and his father have about his career?

6. What happens to Ovid after his banishment? How long does he live?

7. What does Ovid say causes him to turn cold toward Corinna? What is it about her that he does not like?

8. Does Ovid plan or try to join the military? Why or why not?

9. What is Ovid's opinion of those who expose clandestine love affairs?

10. When and where was Ovid born? Where and why did his parents move when he was young?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the time of Ovid's life, adultery has become a rampant social issue and the theme of Ovid's erotic poems probably leads to his banishment. Discuss the social issue of adultery in Rome at the time of Ovid's life.

Part 1. What are the social mores regarding adultery in the Rome that Ovid grew up in?

Part 2. What steps do the leaders of Rome take to amend this problem?

Part 3. How does Ovid's erotic poems fit into this scheme and what were the consequences?

Essay Topic 2

As Ovid suggests, does repression worsen the behavior it is meant to control?

Part 1. Explain the situation in which Ovid brings up this concept.

Part 2. How does prohibition create desire?

Part 3. What options are there to law and prohibition in order to control behavior? Is it more effective?

Essay Topic 3

Many of the characters that Ovid cites have complicated stories. Do any of the gods or heroes have a story that particularly intrigues you? The relationship between Achilles and Briseis? The affair of Mars and Venus? The poet Tibullus? The god Cupid? Choose a figure that Ovid cites that interests you and research further into their circumstance and story.

Part 1. Who have you chosen to write about? Why were you attracted to learn more this particular story?

Part 2. Summarize the information you have researched about this figure.

Part 3. What significance does this story or person have?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 931 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample