AM: Lesson - Reading Passage, Part 2
Amor Marcelli? Part 2 and Conclusion
The story continues. Before continuing, a reminder that you can use the AM 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.
Remember back to the previous story section: after his meeting with Livia, Pseudolus returned to his study to find Selene, who had been waiting. He briefly explains what was discussed at Livia's house and tells Selene about Anna's murder. Selene is shocked by the news, but is more interested in Livia's suggestion: go talk to Julia (pictured to the right as a mable portrait bust), Marcellus' widow.
Chapter 8: Amor Marcelli? part 2: At Julia's house
After Selene's warning had been carefully considered, Pseudolus set out to the villa of Julia, Marcellus' wife. Up to this point, he had not been wanting to bother the widowed daughter of Augustus, but now, it seemed to be the right time. Both Livia and Selene had agreed: she (Julia) was going to be more useful to his investigation than other people. Pseudolus preferred (and planned!) to speak with respect to the widow; he was not going to put great pressure on her. When Pseudolus arrived at the door of her villa, he introduced himself to the doorman. He said, "I would like to meet with the mistress of the house."
However, Julia, who was sitting in the atrium, overheard and invited Pseudolus into the house herself.
| Pseudolus talks to Julia about the death of Marcellus |
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Iulia "Tu," dixit, "Pseudole, non exspectabaris. Paucissimi populi, qui Marcello amici erant, me salutaturi venerunt. Qua de causa venisti? Num lacrimas meas videre non vis? Nam non habeo!" Pseudolus, "Minime," placide respondit, "domina misera: lacrimas tuas videre nolui sed de morte Marcelli inquirere volo." "Vae! Viduata morte Marcelli facta sum, sed, senex, noli confundi. Id negare nequeo: tum eram domina misera, sed nunc liberata sum! Neque eum amavi neque ille eundem modum non sentivit. Numquam ei liberos tuli quod matrimonium utilitatis habuimus. Priusquam aliquid mihi dicis, ero candida: ego eum mortuum nolui! Absentiam simpliciter malo quod in hoc modo vivere soleo. Quid itaque a me discere sperabas? Dicebar de morte Marcelli: erat communis. Nonne illud est verum?" Notes:
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Pseudolus began to respond, "No, mistress..."
Julia interrupted, "Don't call me mistress! My name is Julia, magister."
| Julia provides a new clue, someone much closer to Pseudolus! |
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Hic, "Ita," extendit, "Iulia, certe. Est non verum: Marcellus veneno interfectus est. Vere non audiveras? Haec scire volo: matrimonium tuum erat sine amore, ut dicis, tamen Marcellus mihi numquam questus est. Quid non video?" Iulia, "Vere!" clamavit, "Numquam questus est quod ea quae volebat semper potitus est! Ab omnibus bene amabatur, et viris et feminis. Ille autem in praesentia unius personae gavisus est: tuae ipsius Selenes. Eam adorabat; arbitratus est eam esse callidissimam et clarissimam puellarum totarum. Olim etiam dixit, 'Similiorem Selenae esse debes!' Minime, eum interficere nolui, sed fortasse sponsus Selenes habere maluit! Noli memoriam deponere: Iuba fuerat cum Marcello in Campania. Haec scis! Et iuvenes de feminis pugnare amant. Iubae locuturus ire debes." Notes:
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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!
- What is Julia’s status?
- How does Julia view this status?
- Did Julia kill Marcellus? Did she want him dead?
- What was Julia told about Marcellus death?
Chapter 8: Amor Marcelli? conclusion
Pseudolus dicere vix poterat, sed tandem, "Tibi," locutus est, "Iulia, multas gratias. Illud faciam. Vale!"
Pseudolus commotus domo Iuliae exiit. Marcellus Selenen admiratus erat! Duo fuerat amici, sed haec erat fama nova! Sciveratne Iuba? Pseudolus numquam Iubam investigare putaverat, sed nunc Iuba destinatum investigationis eius facturus erat. Tamen necesse erat ei veritatem invenire.
Notes:
- admiratus erat: had a crush on. The English verb admire doesn't quite capture the meaning here. Marcellus was really into Selene, even though he was married to Julia (according to her!). Use whatever (appropriate) modern slang works to describe that sensation of obsession/unrequited love, etc.
Investigation Notes: Part 2 and Conclusion
Pseudolus goes to Julia’s house. Julia provides some details on her relationship to Marcellus and gives Pseudolus a huge new clue.
- Why is Pseudolus concerned about how he speaks to Julia?
- How does Julia act? Is she in mourning, or does she act differently?
- What kind of marriage did Julia and Marcellus have? Do you think Julia is accurately describing their marriage?
- Julia provides major news in the final paragraphs. What is the big news (it concerns Marcellus and Selene)?
- Selene continues to be an excellent source of assistance and support for Pseudolus. In Part 1 of the Sight Passage, she provides Pseudolus instructions on how to proceed, following the same advice given by Livia. Discuss your thoughts on the similarities and differences between Livia and Selene.
- Julia is very dismissive at first, and is even a bit callous - clearly her marriage to Marcellus was not a happy one. Use what you read in the passage and what you know of Roman culture to discuss how this attitude could have come about for Julia. Consider specifically how she responded to Pseudolus’ visit and then, moving forward, to hearing that Marcellus was likely murdered.
- Our story so far has included a few major female characters: Selene, Anna, Livia, and now, Julia. Rome was a patriarchal society - the men were in charge of every bit of government and public life, and yet these women have played a major role in the development of the story. What does their role in the story say about the overall role of women in Roman society? Consider Julia in particular: she uses the verb liberari to describe herself. Was there such a thing as freedom for a Roman woman?