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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. How does Ovid explain the need for a book on the Cures for Love?

2. How does Ovid feel about using witchcraft to cure love?

3. Which of the following does Ovid suggest is a bad idea?

4. Which of the following best summarizes a lot of Ovid's advice in The Art of Love book 3?

5. Which of the following does Ovid use to describe the best time to end a love affair?

Short Essay Questions

1. Does Ovid ever recommend crying? When?

2. According to Ovid in The Art of Love book 2, what difference is there between being a wealthy lover and a poor one?

3. What does Ovid recommend doing with old letters from an affair you are trying to forget? What else does he say on the subject?

4. Why does Ovid like to promise gifts?

5. What sort of language does Ovid recommend using when writing to a girl?

6. What does Ovid say about beauty in The Art of Love book 2? What advice does he give to prepare for this?

7. What advice does Ovid give regarding the maids and servants of a lover?

8. What is Ovid referring to when he says "A fire's blown up by the wind, by the wind extinguished: a gentle breeze fans the flame, a harder gust puts it out?"

9. Summarize the story of Procris and Cephalus. What point does Ovid make?

10. Does Ovid recommend seclusion as a cure for love? What does he say on the subject?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Art of Love contains a lot of good information but some of it is also outdated. Some is simply outdated such as purple is no longer a pretentious color to wear because purple dye is no longer costly. Some reflect changing cultures and gender roles. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of Ovid's advice in The Art of Love.

Part 1. As a sum total, what is the worth of Ovid's advice? Is the quality of his advice different for the different genders?

Part 2. What has become outdated? Can it be modernized to fit today's society?

Part 3. What might be important today that he could not have known about or included when he lived and wrote?

Essay Topic 2

Ovid's banishment from Rome remains one of the great historical mysteries. There are many clues and theories about the details of his banishment and what caused it. Write an essay covering in detail the known facts in the situation and the various theories regarding the unknown parts of his banishment.

Part 1. What concrete information do we have about Ovid's banishment? What is the official reason given for it?

Part 2. What important information is not known regarding Ovid's banishment? How do we know we are missing something important?

Part 3. What theories exist about the reasons behind his banishment?

Part 4. Where is Ovid exiled to? How long does he stay there? What is it like for him? What are the sum affects of the banishment on Ovid?

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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