2. Student Study Book - Cambridge School Classics Project

CheckCheckCheckTranslate these examples:(i) gaudeat populus(ii) epistulam statim recitetSometimes an order of this kind involves the present subjunctive tense of sum. (If you are unsure about thistense, see the Cambridge Latin Grammar, page 41):sit vilicus quadraginta annos natus.sit Helena prior, deinde Anna.Translate this example:(iii) extra templum sit monumentumLet the steward be forty years old, orThe steward should be forty years old.Let Helena be first, then Anna, orHelena should be first, then Anna.13. In line 3, Martial gives an order (or makes a recommendation). Who is the order or recommendation about?Does he mean a particular individual or is he laying down a general rule?14. What recommendation does Martial make about a wife?15. What adjective in line 3 describes marito? Why are these two words in the ablative case? (If you haveforgotten, see Ovid, Ars Amatoria 30.)16. Were lines 1-2 addressed to a group (e.g. friends, or Martial’s readers in general) or to an individual? (Hint: isquaeritis in line 2 singular or plural?) However, in line 3 Martial picks out Priscus for his remarks. Perhaps thetopic of marital equality was specially relevant to Priscus – but this is only a guess.17. There are various ways in which a wife might be inferior (line 3) to her husband – lower social class, forexample, or less education. But line 1 strongly suggests that Martial is thinking of one particular way in which ahusband must out-do his wife. What is it?18. Notice a way of translating non aliter (line 4):non aliter effugere possumus.In no other way can we escape, or, more naturally:There is no other way in which we can escape, orThis is the only way we can escape.Translate this example in the same way as the previous one:non aliter elephanti capiuntur.19. According to line 4, what cannot be achieved except by following Martial’s advice? Where is the most importantword in the line placed?20. Martial does not spell out what he means by “equality”, but what does he imply will be wrong with the marriage ifthe husband is not wealthier?21. In line 4, Martial suggests that even a husband with greater wealth than his wife may not achieve more than“equality” with his wife. Which of the two does he think is more likely to dominate the other? From what youknow of Roman marriage, is this likely to have happened often? Without looking back, can you recall anymarriage(s) or relationship(s) in previous texts in this theme where the female partner was dominant?22. Translate the poem.23* Martial never married. A reader of the epigram could have asked him “What can a bachelor like you know aboutmarried life?” and Martial could have replied “The spectator sees most of the game”. With which of these twocomments do you find yourself readier to agree?24* What is the tone of the poem? Cynical, sad, frivolous, earnest or something else? If you are uncertain about themeaning of “tone”, think of the tone of voice in which you think it should be read.25* Compare these two translations of the poem, not from the point of view of literal accuracy, but asking yourself“Which makes Martial’s point more clearly?” and “Which captures the tone better?” Does either translation showa misunderstanding of line 3? (There is no official “right answer” here.)Dost ask why I’de not marry a rich wife?I’le not be subject in that double strife.Let matrons to their heads inferior beElse man and wife have no equalitie. Robert Fletcher, 1656“Why not marry money?” ‘Tis more in my wayTo love and to cherish than love and obey.For a match to be equal, in person and purseA man’s better half should be rather the worse. A.L.Francis & H.F.Tatum, 192474 WJEC Level 2 Latin Literature Unit 9541 Love and Marriage