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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. Where does Encolpius want to stab Eumolpus?

2. Niceros tells a story about what creature?

3. What does Encolpius do at night when the boy he tutors falls asleep?

4. What combines "a moralistic and humorous melange of prose and verse"?

5. How long does Trimalchio have to live?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the accountant's role at the dinner?

2. What is Ascyltus' response when Encolpius confronts him about the attempted rape of Giton?

3. What character fault does Eumolpus have and how does Encolpius try to help him overcome it?

4. Encolpius blames teachers for making young students grow up to become worthless people. Who else does he blame and why?

5. What joke involving a pig does Trimalchio play on his guests?

6. Trimalchio is playing ball with young boys as his guests arrive. Encolpius reports seeing him urinate. How does Trimalchio urinate, then wash and dry his hands afterward?

7. What convinces foes to pardon Encolpius and Giton when they are caught as stowaways on a ship?

8. Who is Psyche and what is her role in the section of the story called "Puteoli"?

9. Why does Eumoplus offer to be Giton's guardian? What else does he offer and what does he want in return?

10. What points to Titus Petronius as the author of "The Satyricon" other than writing style and language?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

A main character has both good and bad qualities, giving the character dimension. Discuss Eumolpus' good and bad qualities. Are the "bad" qualities really bad? Support your answers. Answer the same question for Giton.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the primary gods/goddesses involved in Claudius' trial in "The Apocolocyntosis." Who were they, what did they represent and what position did they take on Claudius' request?

Essay Topic 3

Define and discuss Menippean satire? What differentiates this satire from other types?

(see the answer keys)

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