#AP Latin: Aeneid Book 2, Lines 201-249 - The Night Before 🌃

Hey there, future Latin legend! Let's get you prepped and confident for your AP Latin exam with a super-focused review of Aeneid Book 2, lines 201-249. We're going to make sure everything clicks, so you can walk into that exam feeling like you've got this! 💪

#🏛️ Key Themes & Big Ideas

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let's zoom out and look at the big picture. These lines are HUGE for understanding the tragic fall of Troy. Here's what we'll be focusing on:

• Deception & Fate: How Sinon's lies and the Trojans' gullibility lead to their downfall. 🎭
• Divine Intervention: The role of the gods, especially Minerva, in orchestrating Troy's destruction. ⚡
• Imagery & Symbolism: The powerful use of snakes, the bull, and the Trojan Horse as symbols of doom. 🐍🐂🐴
• Pathos & Tragedy: The emotional impact of Laocoon's horrific death and the Trojans' tragic choices. 💔

#🔍 Lines 220-227: Laocoon's Struggle

Let's break down this key passage where Laocoon meets his gruesome end. Remember, the AP loves to ask about these kinds of intense moments!

ille simul manibus tendit divellere nodos
perfusus sanie vittas atroque veneno,
clamores simul horrendos ad sidera tollit:
qualis mugitus, fugit cum saucius aram
taurus et incertam excussit cervice securim.
at gemini lapsu delubra ad summa dracones
effugiunt saevaeque petunt Tritonidis arcem,
sub pedibusque deae clipeique sub orbe teguntur.

#Key Vocabulary & Grammar

• perfusus: drenched (perfect passive participle, modifying vittas)
• sanie: blood, gore (ablative of separation)
• vittas: headbands (accusative plural)
• atro...veneno: black venom (ablative of means)
• clamores horrendos: horrendous shouts (accusative plural)
• mugitus: bellowing (nominative singular)
• saucius: wounded (nominative singular)
• taurus: bull (nominative singular)
• incertam securim: an uncertain axe (accusative singular)
• gemini dracones: twin snakes (nominative plural)
• Tritonidis: of Triton's daughter (genitive singular, referring to Minerva)
• saevae: fierce (genitive singular)

#Analysis & Literary Devices

• Simile: The comparison of Laocoon's cries to a wounded bull (qualis mugitus...taurus) emphasizes his suffering and helplessness. 🐂
• Alliteration: The repetition of the 'c' sound in incertam excussit cervice securim creates a sense of harshness and violence. 🗣️
• Polysyndeton: The repeated use of sub in the last line (sub pedibusque deae clipeique sub orbe teguntur) emphasizes the snakes' retreat and Minerva's power.

#Practice Questions

Practice Question

Multiple Choice:

1. In line 221 (perfusus sanie vittas atroque veneno), what does perfusus describe? (A) clamores (B) manibus (C) vittas (D) dracones

2. The simile in lines 223-224 (qualis mugitus...securim) primarily serves to: (A) highlight the bull's bravery (B) emphasize Laocoon's pain (C) foreshadow the Trojan victory (D) describe the altar

Short Answer:

3. Identify and explain the effect of one literary device used in lines 220-227. Free Response:

4. Analyze how Vergil uses imagery and language in lines 220-227 to evoke a sense of horror and pity in the reader. Consider the use of similes, vivid descriptions, and the overall emotional impact of the scene. (5 points)

   • Point 1: Identification of a specific image or description that evokes horror (e.g., perfusus sanie, atroque veneno).
   • Point 2: Explanation of how the chosen image/description contributes to the horror (e.g., the blood and venom emphasize Laocoon's suffering).
   • Point 3: Identification of a specific image or description that evokes pity (e.g., clamores horrendos, qualis mugitus).
   • Point 4: Explanation of how the chosen image/description contributes to the pity (e.g., the cries and comparison to a wounded bull highlight Laocoon's helplessness).
   • Point 5: Overall analysis of how Vergil uses language to create an emotional impact, demonstrating a clear understanding of the text.

#🐴 Lines 235-240: The Trojan Horse's Entry

Now, let's look at the Trojans' fateful decision to bring the horse into the city. This is where the dramatic irony really kicks in!

accingunt omnes operi pedibusque rotarum
subiciunt lapsus, et stuppea vincula collo
intendunt ; scandit fatalis machina muros,
feta armis. pueri circum innuptaeque puellae
sacra canunt funemque manu contingere gaudent;
illa subit mediaeque minans inlabitur urbi

#Key Vocabulary & Grammar

• accingunt: they gird themselves (present active indicative, 3rd person plural)
• operi: for the task (dative of purpose)
• lapsus: motion (accusative plural)
• stuppea vincula: hemp ropes (accusative plural)
• fatalis machina: fated machine (nominative singular)
• feta armis: pregnant with weapons (ablative of description)
• innuptae puellae: unwedded girls (nominative plural)
• funem: rope (accusative singular)
• minans: threatening (present active participle, modifying illa)

#Analysis & Literary Devices

• Imagery: The description of the horse as feta armis creates a sense of foreboding and hidden danger. 🤰
• Juxtaposition: The contrast between the joyful singing of the children and the ominous nature of the horse highlights the Trojans' tragic blindness. 👧👦
• Personification: The horse inlabitur (glides) into the city, as if it were a living being, emphasizes its active role in Troy's destruction.

#Practice Questions

Practice Question

Multiple Choice:

1. In line 237 (scandit fatalis machina muros), what is the subject of scandit? (A) omnes (B) pedibus (C) vincula (D) machina

2. The phrase feta armis (line 238) is best translated as: (A) carrying weapons (B) pregnant with weapons (C) armed and ready (D) preparing for battle

Short Answer:

3. Explain the significance of the phrase fatalis machina in the context of the passage.

Free Response:

4. Analyze how Vergil uses language and imagery in lines 235-240 to create a sense of dramatic irony. How does the Trojans' behavior contrast with the true nature of the Trojan Horse? (5 points)

• Point 1: Identification of a specific phrase or image that creates dramatic irony (e.g., feta armis, sacra canunt).
• Point 2: Explanation of how the chosen phrase/image creates dramatic irony (e.g., the horse is described as pregnant with weapons, which the Trojans don't know).
• Point 3: Identification of a specific action that highlights the Trojans' blindness (e.g., funemque manu contingere gaudent).
• Point 4: Explanation of how the chosen action contrasts with the true nature of the horse (e.g., the Trojans are joyful, while the horse is a symbol of destruction).
• Point 5: Overall analysis of how Vergil uses language to create dramatic irony, demonstrating a clear understanding of the text.

#📝 Breakdown of Lines 201-249

Here's a quick recap of the key events and their significance:

1. Laocoon's Sacrifice: Laocoon, a priest of Neptune, is sacrificing a bull when the snakes appear. This sets the stage for his tragic end. 🐂
2. The Serpents' Arrival: Two massive snakes emerge from the sea and attack Laocoon and his sons. This is a clear sign of divine wrath. 🐍
3. Laocoon's Death: Laocoon and his sons are brutally killed by the snakes. This scene is full of pathos and horror. 💔
4. The Trojans' Misinterpretation: The Trojans mistakenly believe Laocoon was punished for striking the Trojan Horse with his spear. They decide to bring the horse into the city.🤦
5. The Horse's Entry: The Trojans open the city walls and bring the horse inside, sealing their fate. 🐴

This entire section is high-value! The Laocoon scene and the entry of the horse are often the focus of AP questions.

#🎯 Final Exam Focus

Okay, you're almost there! Here's what to keep in mind for the exam:

• Focus on the Big Themes: Deception, fate, divine intervention, and the tragic consequences of human error.
• Pay Attention to Literary Devices: Similes, metaphors, alliteration, polysyndeton, and personification are all fair game.
• Master Key Vocabulary: Make sure you know the meanings of words like perfusus, sanie, fatalis, feta, minans.
• Practice Translation: Be able to translate passages accurately and identify grammatical structures.
• Connect the Dots: Understand how different parts of the text relate to each other and to the overall themes of the Aeneid.

#Last-Minute Tips

• Time Management: Don't spend too long on any one question. If you're stuck, move on and come back later.
• Read Carefully: Pay close attention to the wording of the questions and the details in the text.
• Don't Panic: Take a deep breath and trust your preparation. You've got this! 💪

Remember, you've worked hard, and you're ready to show off your Latin skills. Go get 'em! 🚀