AP Latin : Rhetorical Questions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Latin

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Rhetorical Questions

Miser Catulle, desinas ineptire,
et quod vides perisse perditum ducas.
fulsere quondam candidi tibi soles,
cum ventitabas quo puella ducebat
amata nobis quantum amabitur nulla.                         5
ibi illa multa cum iocosa fiebant,
quae tu volebas nec puella nolebat,
fulsere vere candidi tibi soles.
nunc iam illa non vult: tu quoque impotens noli,
nec quae fugit sectare, nec miser vive,                       10
sed obstinata mente perfer, obdura.
vale puella, iam Catullus obdurat,
nec te requiret nec rogabit invitam.
at tu dolebis, cum rogaberis nulla.
scelesta, vae te, quae tibi manet vita?                         15
quis nunc te adibit? cui videberis bella?
quem nunc amabis? cuius esse diceris?
quem basiabis? cui labella mordebis?
at tu, Catulle, destinatus obdura.

In the last lines of this poem (lines 15-19), the author makes use of __________.

Possible Answers:

chiasmus

rhetorical questions

simile

hyperbole

Correct answer:

rhetorical questions

Explanation:

The last few lines mainly consist of rhetorical questions that the girlfriend will now supposedly ask due to the breakup. They are not meant to be answered specifically; the implication is that the girl will now have no one to do these things.

(Passage adapted from "Catullus 8," ln.1-19)

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