NCEA Level 3 Classical Studies (90511) 2011 — page 1 of 14 Assessment Schedule – 2011 Classical Studies: Explain a passage or passages from a work of classical literature in translation (90511) Candidate chooses TWO questions from ONE topic. A holistic judgement on the level of achievement attained will be made over the two questions answered. Judgement Statement Achievement Achievement with Merit Achievement with Excellence A M E Generic Schedule Achievement Achievement with Merit Achievement with Excellence The candidate explains literary The candidate analyses literary The candidate analyses literary features by identifying, describing, features by discussing methodically features in detail by discussing clarifying, giving reasons for, and demonstrating detailed methodically and demonstrating in- and / or placing in context aspects of understanding of passages from a depth understanding of passages a passage or passages from a work work of literature. from a work of literature. of literature. Where Achievement is awarded for Where Merit is awarded for the Where Excellence is awarded for the question, the candidate question, the candidate the question, the candidate demonstrates understanding by: demonstrates detailed demonstrates in-depth • providing a general explanation, understanding by: understanding by: without specific detail • incorporating an analytical • providing focused and analytical • including some textual evidence, element in answers responses relevant to the question. • including some detailed textual • integrating detailed textual evidence, relevant to the question. evidence, relevant to the question One or more parts of questions are • showing awareness of the socio- underdeveloped or omitted. Most parts of questions are covered, political / historical context of the but treatment may be unbalanced. passages, where appropriate. Textual evidence may be provided in the form of direct quotation or Textual evidence may be provided All parts of questions are answered, paraphrasing. in the form of direct quotation or and mostly in depth. close paraphrasing. Textual evidence may be provided in the form of direct quotation or close paraphrasing. NCEA Level 3 Classical Studies (90511) 2011 — page 2 of 14 Evidence Statement TOPIC A: ARISTOPHANES’ COMEDIES Question One Achievement Achievement with Merit Achievement with Excellence An example of explanation might An example of analysis might be: An example of detailed analysis be: might be: Use of the Chorus of Wasps to Use of the Chorus of Wasps to Use of the Chorus of Wasps to amuse the audience amuse the audience amuse the audience Aristophanes uses both visual and Aristophanes uses both visual and Aristophanes uses both visual and verbal humour to make the Chorus verbal humour to make the Chorus verbal humour to make the Chorus of Wasps amusing for the audience. of Wasps amusing for the audience. of Wasps amusing for the audience. Each Wasp is dressed in a striped In Extract A, the Chorus is shown to In Extract A, the Chorus is suit, with a sting on their backside, be aggressive towards their characterised as aggressive and and is wearing a brown cloak. This enemies. They call upon each other menacing with the intent to do is to visually portray the jurymen as to use their “deadly stings” and warn “lasting harm”. The scene opens wasps. They are trying to help their “foes” to beware. The Chorus with the Chorus referring to Philocleon escape his son’s house. are trying to help their fellow juror, themselves as “comrades” who This is why they are shown Philocleon, escape his son’s house have “deadly stings” and are not “buzzing” about and encouraging so he can sit on the jury with them. afraid to use them. They warn their each other to use their “deadly However, Bdelycleon informs them “foes” to beware, and indicate that stings”. They even try and attack in that he “is not going to let him go”. anyone who attempts to “provoke” a reverse military-style drill. This This leads to an amusing parody of them is a “reckless fool”, and stirring would have been visually humorous a military drill. The Chorus Leader up their nest will make them attack. to the audience, because the swarm calls the other Wasps into formation Because Philocleon is being kept of Wasps would not be able to see “About turn! Present stings! By the locked up by his son Bdelycleon to what direction they were going. right, in reverse, quick march!”. They stop him from attending jury service, prepare to attack Bdelycleon and his the Wasps are ready to do battle to slaves, but humorously let their protect their fellow “comrade”. In a stings lead them in “reverse”. This humorous parody of a military drill, humour is reinforced by their striped the Chorus Leader directs the costumes, large stingers and swarm into formation, “Wasps! jurymen’s cloaks. About turn! Present stings! By the right, in reverse, quick march”. However, this military drill is reversed and it would have been visually humorous to the audience to see the buzzing Wasps prepare to fight their enemies from behind. This humour is reinforced by their costume, as each ‘wasp’ is dressed in a striped suit with a padded belly and a large sting protruding from his backside. To top it off, they wear tattered brown cloaks and carry staffs, linking the stinging and convicting nature of the Wasps and jurymen together. Other points may be made. For example: the Boys running to Cleon, which reinforces the connection between the Wasps stinging and the jurors convicting. Evidence for bullets one and two NCEA Level 3 Classical Studies (90511) 2011 — page 3 of 14 may be merged, particularly in the discussion of the character of the Chorus of Wasps and how they are representative of the nature of jurymen. NCEA Level 3 Classical Studies (90511) 2011 — page 4 of 14 TOPIC A: ARISTOPHANES’ COMEDIES Question Two Achievement Achievement with Merit Achievement with Excellence An example of explanation might An example of analysis might be: An example of detailed analysis be: might be: Characterisation of Dionysus in Characterisation of Dionysus in Characterisation of Dionysus in Extract B and elsewhere in the Extract B and elsewhere in the Extract B and elsewhere in the prologue prologue prologue Aristophanes has portrayed Aristophanes has portrayed Aristophanes has portrayed Dionysus as a confused god. This is Dionysus as a confused god who is Dionysus as a confused god who is reinforced by his unusual unsure of his true identity. This is unsure of his true identity. This is relationship with his slave Xanthias. reinforced by his unusual reinforced by his unusual Dionysus and Xanthias’ roles are relationship with his slave Xanthias. relationship with his slave Xanthias. reversed because Xanthias is riding The master and slave have reversed The scene opens with Xanthias and the donkey and Dionysus, his roles, with Xanthias riding the Dionysus’ roles reversed, with the master, is walking beside him. donkey and Dionysus struggling slave riding a donkey while the god Xanthias is a slave and should not along on foot. Xanthias is “struggles along on foot”. It is ironic be complaining to his master but complaining about “lugging all these that Xanthias, a slave, is Dionysus allows him to. Dionysus is props” even though the donkey is complaining about “lugging all these confused about his identity as he holding all the weight. Dionysus props” and having a “sore neck” calls himself the “Son of Juice” should be the one who is riding but when in fact it is his role to serve his instead of Zeus. Dionysus and instead of assuming his rightful role master without question. However, Xanthias arrive at Heracles’ house he just asserts “it’s an absolute Dionysus is confused about who he to ask for directions to the outrage”. Dionysus is confused really is. This is reinforced when he Underworld. Heracles opens his about who he really is, calling announces himself as the “Son of door to find Dionysus disguised as himself the “Son of Juice” instead of Juice” instead of Zeus. Dionysus him and falls to the ground laughing. Zeus. Dionysus and Xanthias are on and Xanthias are on their way to their way to Heracles’ house to ask Heracles’ house to ask for directions for directions to the Underworld. to the Underworld. Dionysus Despite Dionysus’ attempts to continues to be oblivious to the fact disguise himself as Heracles by that dressing as Heracles, wearing a wearing a lion-skin and carrying a lion-skin and carrying a large club, club, he un-heroically knocks on the does not mean he will acquire his door while Xanthias has what he heroic qualities. He “tentatively” would call a well-deserved rest. knocks at his half-brother’s door and is met with hysterical laughter. However, Dionysus remains serious and believes that he has “frightened” Heracles. From this point on, Xanthias continues to mock Dionysus and complain about being tired and over-worked. Other points may be made. For example: • The visual humour of Dionysus being dressed in an effeminate yellow robe and wearing buskins, the boots of tragic actors • Xanthias conversing with Dionysus about what is and is not funny, when Dionysus is the god of theatre etc • Dionysus explaining to Heracles about being consumed with desire for Euripides. NCEA Level 3 Classical Studies (90511) 2011 — page 5 of 14 TOPIC A: ARISTOPHANES’ COMEDIES Question Three Achievement Achievement with Merit Achievement with Excellence An example of explanation might An example of analysis might be: An example of detailed analysis be: might be: Symbolism used in Extract C to Symbolism used in Extract C to Symbolism used in Extract C to convey Aristophanes’ concerns convey Aristophanes’ concerns convey Aristophanes’ concerns about the way “this city treats her about the way “this city treats her about the way “this city treats her soundest men today” soundest men today” soundest men today” In Extract C, Aristophanes uses the In Extract C, Aristophanes uses the In Extract C, Aristophanes uses the imagery of coinage to symbolise his imagery of coinage to symbolise his imagery of coinage to symbolise his concerns about the way “this city concerns about the way “this city concerns about the way “this city treats her soundest men today”.