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Module Content

This course is designed to help students develop understanding of Greek and Latin epic poetry and of ancient ideas about heroism through reading parts of Homer's Iliad and Virgil's Aeneid in translation and through exploration of the context in which they were written. We will be following the OCR A2 syllabus. The assignments will be geared towards preparing students for the exam, but if you do not want or need to sit the examination, you can follow the course just for fun and fulfilment, ignoring the information and advice which is not relevant to you. 
Students will be given guidance on ways to explore the texts. In particular, we will look at composition, plot, narrative techniques, descriptive techniques including similes and imagery, characterisation, themes including heroism, honor and reputation, family, women, role of the gods, the power of fate, the portrayal of war, moral values, the role of Aeneas in Rome's imperial destiny, and the political and historical background to the writing of the Aeneid. The focus of the course is literature, society and values. 
Students' tasks will include reading, writing notes, answering questions with short and/or long answers and writing essays. Students will be invited to express critical and personal responses. 
 

Books

The books required for this module are detailed below. Students need to provide their own copies of the books.

  • The Aeneid, translated by D. West, Penguin Classics, ISBN 9780140449327
  • The Iliad, translated by M. Hammond, Penguin Classics, ISBN 9780140444445
  • Classical Epic: Homer and Virgil, Richard Jenkyns, Bristol Classical Press, ISBN 9781853991332

 

The Examination

Paper CC10: Virgil and the World of the Hero (100 marks) (Entry code F390)
This two-hour paper has two sections:

  • Section A: Commentary Questions (50 marks) Candidates are required to answer one commentary question selected from a choice of two. Candidates answer the two commentary sub-questions set.
  • Section B: Essay (50 marks) Candidates are required to answer one essay question from a choice of two.

 

Further Information

If you would like further details of the content of this module, please visit the OCR website at www.ocr.org.uk, email the Independent Learning Manager or telephone us on 01223 330579.