FM: Lesson - Reading Passage, Part 2

Silhouetted figures share a secret.Reading Passage: Funus Marcelli, part 2

The story continues. Before continuing, a reminder that you can use the FM Reading Help Links to an external site.. handout to access the full Latin text along with notes on vocabulary and grammar. Some additional notes will be included as well. If you see a word or phrase highlighted in bold, check below the passage for additional information.

Part 1 concluded with Selene overhearing a rumor at Marcellus' funeral. Selene has now left the funeral and seeks out Pseudolus to report what she has heard.

Chapter 5: Funus Marcelli, part 2: News from the funeral

Selene, excited, said, "Magister, you will not believe this!"

Pseudolus responded, "Hello, Selene. Be calm and take a breath! When you are ready, speak."

Selene: "I am ready! I have to speak quickly. I do not want to forget anything." She continued,

Latin Portion
Selene is attending the funeral.

Primo tibi de laudatione Imperatoris dicam. Ille Marcellum magnopere adoravit. Per clamorem turbae, haec audire poteram, 'Heu, Fortuna te amovit. Nunc accipe haec dona. Patres de more manibus tradiderunt. Accipe, atque in perpetuum, carissime, ave atque vale.’

"Circumspectavi: tota urbs lugebat. Illo tempore, auscultavi quiddam: Tiberius servo incerto dicebat. Erat Tiberius: vocavit Liviam matrem suam. Quod Tiberius est eadem aetas quam nos et Marcellus, vocem eius cognovi. Verbum 'venenum' dixit."

Notes:

  • de more: according to custom
  • carissime = vocative, and refers to Marcellus
  • ave atque vale: Approximate quote of Catullus, poem 101, line 10. and forever more, brother, hail and farewell.
  • quam: as
  • nos: refers to Selene and her brother, Alexander

Guiding Questions

Use the following context clues to help read the final paragraphs correctly. Also, don't forget to check your reading log for additional notes on vocabulary and grammar, if you need any help!

  1. Who is giving the speech?
  2. What words does that person use to send off the deceased?
  3. What is happening in the city?
  4. What does Selene report?

Chapter 5: Funus Marcelli, conclusion

Pseudolus diu tacebat. Maecenas ei narravit: interfector erat proximus Marcello. Pauci erant propior quam Livia, quod per matrimonium erat matertera Marcelli.

Tandem, Pseudolus dixit, "Necesse, Selene, est nobis esse quam cautissimis. Liviae reverentiam habeo et est potentissima. Est qui nos adiuvabit: dicam ei de re ipsa. Hoc tempore, tibi nomen ipsius non narrabo: te eumque in eodem modo protegere cupio."

Notes:

  • quod: since
  • quam cautissimis: quam + superlative = as ___ as possible
  • Est qui: There is someone who...
  • Hoc tempore: For the time being

Investigation Notes: Part 2 and Conclusion

Selene reports to Pseudolus on the emperor’s speech and what she overheard at the funeral.

  1. Selene briefly describes the emperor’s words at the funeral.
    • Describe his speech, based on Selene’s recounting.
  2. Pseudolus is most interested in the word venenum.
    • Why?
    • What does hearing this word from a second source confirm for him?
  3. Does Pseudolus reveal any information about Maecenas to Selene? Why or why not?
  4. Once again, Selene has found herself acting as a gatherer of information. She has taken on some qualities of a spy. How is she able to continue in this role? What would be the consequence(s) if she were found out? Consider the information you read from both Part 1 and Part 2 to answer the question.
  5. In Part 2 of the passage, Selene confirms the report from Maecenas - venenum. How does Pseudolus react to this confirmation? What does he plan to do next and why? Do you feel like his relationship to Maecenas changes with this new information? 

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