Study Guide for Final Exam: Roman Satire

Format

• cut-and-dried identifications: basic factual information (small credit per item, and a small component of the exam)
• passages from the satires we’ve read: identify context, and discuss briefly what the passage shows about Roman Satire (each a medium-small quantum of credit, but adding up to a major component of the exam)
• satire essay: discuss a thematic question, drawing for support of your contentions on specific, concrete evidence from several satires (a large single item of credit; a major component of the exam)

Things to study

• the two major satirists we’ve read
• Ennius and Lucilius as predecessor-satirists
• important figures in Horace’s Satires: Maecenas, Vergil and Varius, Horace’s father, Brutus, Priapus, The Pest, Trebatius, Ulysses, Tiresias, Nasidienus; the Sabine Farm
• important figures in Juvenal’s Satires: Umbricius, Crispinus, Domitian, Cicero, Quintilian, Sejanus, Hannibal, Messalina
• the etymologies of the term "satire": what the terms mean and how they relate to satires: satur, satyrs

Strategy: think of specific passages that illustrate important points, so you can back up your arguments with concrete evidence on the test. Be sure you explain clearly how the passage helps demonstrate your point.

• self-presentation: how the satirist creates an image of his own personality in his satires
• persona: how the "speaker" within a satire relates to the message of the satire (author-persona and alternative speakers)
• why write satire: what does the poet suggest it does for him to write satire?
• why read satire: what does the poet suggest his audience can get out of his satire?
• aggression in satire: to what extent is it "attack poetry"? why do the poets bounce what they’re doing off the image of "attack poetry"?
• sex in satire: why is it an important topic? what sorts of things get said about it?
• food in satire: why is it an important topic? what sorts of things get said about it?
• relationships in satire: friendship, marriage, patron-client, ruler-citizen, imperialistic state - client states
• slaves and freedom in satire: why are they important topics? (consider both literal and metaphorical references to slavery)
• how "poetic" is satire?
• how "funny" is satire?
• personal and social morality in satire: how does the author imply critique and suggestions?
• modes of satire: how do the authors use monologue, dialogue, personal narrative, folktale/fable, epic parody?
• the history of satire: how and why does the author compare himself to his predecessors?

This file last updated 25 April 2003 by jlong1@orion.it.luc.edu.
http://www.luc.edu/depts/classics/