OCR Latin GCSE Set Texts: Clodia and Pythius

Is anyone els doing these texts? :cool:

If so, what literacy notes/techniques have you got? We've only been given one for each and I'm panicing slightly :s-smilie:

Thanks in advance

Reply 1

bosch105

I'm also doing these set texts, here are some technique bits for each:

Pythius

-- How does Cicero make the story interesting?
1. Straightforward narrative
2. Economy of words
3. Few adjectives
4. Factual - little comment or judgement by author
5. Reader is left to picture the characters
6. Short sentences
7. Use of present tense to make some parts of the story vivid
8. verbs often omitted (usually verb 'to be') to quicken pace
9. Alliteration, especially letters 'p' and 'c'
10. Touches of humour

Clodia

1. Chiasmus (reversal of word order) in first sentence - emphasises her nobility, and therefore the expectations of a lady of her stance
2. He shows his distain at certain points using consonance - 'c' and 't' sounds repeated show his disgust
3. Rhetorical question (3rd sentence) - effective device to make jury think
4. Use of asyndeton (when 'and' is omitted) in the list of accusations - makes the list sound a lot longer, and perhaps more ridiculous
5. Clearly shows his viewpoint throughout - 'tu insane' 'temeritas ac libido'
6. Gerund, 'credentum' - powerful, commanding phrase to make his point
7. Use of 'iuvenem' (line 8) emphasises her older age in contrast to Caelius - makes her seem like a predatory older woman...
8. 'vis' (line 10) - use of present tense makes the scene more dramatic
9. Simple statement 'non potes' is short and effective.
10. Tricolon, 'calcitrat, respuit, non putat... tanti' - repetition for emphasis.

Basically, one of the main things to remember with these ones is the context of the pieces - ie. Pythius was part of a collection of stories Cicero wrote for his son on moral behavior, and Clodia was a speech in a court case. This is the main point about Clodia - although Cicero's own client, Caelius, was the one accused of immoral behavior, Cicero reverses the roles in his speech, making Clodia seem like the accused.
F.Y.I. - Cicero's client was found not guilty. :smile: