MM: Lesson - Reading Passage: Mors Marcelli, Part 2

An image being used to depict the character named Pseudolus.Mors Marcelli, Part 2

The story continues. Before reading, remember to use the MM Reading Help Handout Links to an external site. to access the full Latin text. Some additional notes will be included as well.

For the text on this page, if you see a word or phrase highlighted in bold, check below the passage for additional information.

Chapter 1: Mors Marcelli, part 2

Pseudolus was a Greek man; he was around 46 (XLVI) years old. He had a sharp and active mind. On account of his cleverness, he was a good teacher. He had served in the Emperor Augustus' household for seven years. He loved to teach and taught well.

Latin Portion
Pseudolus suspects foul play

Fama mortis Marcelli cum Pseudolo non bene sedit. Erat non aequum. Marcellus undeviginti modo natus erat: sanus et acutus et callidus. “Ultra,” Pseudolus putavit, “sunt multi populi invidi et perfidi.” Erat tam verum! Nonnulli populi ab morte prodesse poterant. Pseudolus inventarium creavit: alios suspectavit et aliis dicere cupivit.

Notes:

  • alios...aliis: some...others – aliis is dative with dicere (...to speak to others)

Guiding Questions

Use the following context clues to help read the final paragraph correctly.

  1. How does Pseudolus feel about the news?
  2. How old was Marcellus when he died?
  3. What does Pseudolus cite as a problem with this being a "natural" death?
  4. What did Pseudolus decide to create (you should do this too!)?

Chapter 1: Mors Marcelli, conclusion

Dum Pseudolus de inventario putat, Selene tablinum intravit. Nuntiavit, “Mors Marcelli est peregrinus: suspectasne caedem? Est officium nostrum verum invenire!”

Pseudolus annuit: Selene verba vera fecerat!

Notes:

  • ..putat: Dum, meaning while, takes a present tense verb, which will match the tense of the main verb – While he was thinking...
  • –ne: creates a simple question
  • verba vera fecerat: idiom – verba facere = to make a speech, to speak, translate – she had spoken the truth.

Investigation Notes: Part 2 and Conclusion

We meet Pseudolus, the imperial magister. He contemplates the news that his pupil, Marcellus, has perished under strange circumstances. Consider how you would answer the following questions.

  1. Who is Pseudolus? How old is he? Where did he come from? What does he do?
  2. Why does Pseudolus feel that Marcellus death was not fair?
  3. Who does Pseudolus plan to include on his list?
  4. Who enters the room during the conclusion? What is this person’s view of the situation?
  5. What is the big news? What evidence can you find that the news is good or bad?
  6. Why is Pseudolus not taking the news well? What conclusions does he draw from his thinking?