18. Study Questions Copy

The sense of emptiness is emphasised by the use of long vowel sounds (assonance):atque illi, ut vacuo patuerunt aequore campi,/procursu rapido coniectis eminus hastis/invadunt Martem clipeis atque aere sonoro.

The pair are compared to two bulls fighting with great violence to gain control of the herd. ‘proelia’ indicates that this is more than posturing or mock-fighting. Even the magistri have withdrawn.  Note the alliteration in line 718, that emphasises that this battle renders onlookers mute with fear: ‘stat pecus omne metu mutum, mussantque iuvencae’.

Jupiter. He is weighing up of the fates of the two combatants.

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