Gender, Power, Deity, Magic
Assignments
Paper Due
Monday, Dec. 12, by 5:00 PM
Final Exam:
Tuesday, Dec. 13, 8:00-11:00 AM
Final Exam Review and Essay Questions
(with passages to know for the multiple choice, and terms and names, many linked
to definitions)
Cleopatra Readings
-
Cleopatra Page A
page (5 brief pages actually) that discusses the primary sources and how
to take them, with passages from Plutarch, Pliny, Dio Cassius, and
others. Focus on the primary sources and where they differ in
their descriptions of Cleopatra (if they do).
- Horace, Carmen 1.37, the
"Cleopatra Ode"
Preparation for Class Discussion
Cleopatra
- In the light of the Roman readings,
what is admirable about Cleopatra? What is destructive about her?
As a leader, how does she relate to her subjects? How does she
relate to the Roman politicians and military leaders she encounters in
Egypt?
- Whatever the realities of
Cleopatra's life and aims, in what ways is she portrayed as similar to
Dido? In what ways is she different? List a few to discuss
in class.
Metamorphoses
- Ovid tells a number of tales about
the encounters of humans with gods (in which the humans come out badly).
In what ways do the gods solely dictate the fate of the unfortunate
humans? What role does chance or coincidence play in their fates
as Ovid describes these encounters? In what ways is destiny or
predetermined fate a part of the story? Are prophecy or other
sorts of omens/warnings aboutthe future features in any of these
stories?
- What is the tone of Ovid's tales?
Serious, tragic, satyrical, romantic, uplifting, depressing, etc. ...)
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