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

Short Answer Questions

1. Why is Ovid's father against Ovid becoming a poet?

2. What does Ovid bid farewell to at the end of Amores book 3?

3. What career does Ovid's education meant to prepare him for?

4. Of what does Ovid dream in Amores 3:5?

5. Who is Augustus?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Dipsas tell Corinna?

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

3. What is the nature of the relationship between Corinna and Ovid in Amores book 1? What is the major impediment that stands in their way?

4. Who is Macer and what is Ovid's relationship with him?

5. Describe the personality of Ovid in the role of lover.

6. What does Ovid hope to accomplish by telling the story of the river that falls in love with the wandering woman to the stream?

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

8. Why is Ovid banished from Rome?

9. What happens when Corinna gets pregnant? Whose child is it?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the end of Amores Book 1, Ovid names several other authors as timeless and enduring. Write an essay about these other authors.

Part 1. Who are the authors that Ovid names? What do they do?

Part 2. Are these authors still well known?

Part 3. How does the fame of these authors compare to Ovid's?

Essay Topic 2

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 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)

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