Aristophanes — AS & A Level Classical Studies (9274) questions by topic
Debating whether Frogs delivers a serious message over entertainment, whether the characters in Frogs and Lysistrata are only funny because they are exaggerated, and identifying figures such as Stratyllis from a set passage are the recurring tasks, worth 25-mark essays across 18 real questions from 2023 and 2024 papers.
Identify, how far, explain, to what extent and discuss are the top command words, and explain expects the comic mechanism behind a line or scene, not just a restated summary of the joke. Examiners report figures and stagecraft terms candidates could not identify, so drafting a passage-based answer and checking it against instant marking is a quick way to confirm those specific details are correct before building wider argument on them.
What examiners look for
- A recurring criticism is candidates unaware of different types of humour in the plays, with very few able to name scatological humour specifically.
- Examiners note very few candidates knew that Dionysus was impersonating Herakles within the play.
- Reports flag Aeacus as a figure few candidates could identify, and the skene or stage building as a term fewer still recognised.
- A common error was reduced confidence about where the women obtained water, and about the reference to a 'wedding bath'.
- Strong answers covered an excellent range of points with good reference to the text of both plays, and correctly knew Stratyllis as leader of the women's chorus and Euripides as a Greek tragedian.
October–November 2024, Paper 11
Read the passage and answer the questions. Who was Euripides?
Answer this question and get it marked →Which of Aristophanes' plays do you think is the most enjoyable for a modern audience? In your answer, you should discuss at least two plays.
Answer this question and get it marked →'Frogs is more about delivering a serious message than entertaining the audience.' How far do you agree with this statement?
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 12
Read the passage and answer the questions. Who was Aeschylus?
Answer this question and get it marked →'Comedy is always a fantasy world. We can learn nothing about Athenian life from it.' How far do you agree with this statement? In your answer, you should discuss at least two…
Answer this question and get it marked →'In Lysistrata, characters contribute equally to the success of the play.' How far do you agree with this statement? In your answer, you should discuss at least three characters.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 13
Read the passage and answer the questions. Who was Aeschylus?
Answer this question and get it marked →'Comedy is always a fantasy world. We can learn nothing about Athenian life from it.' How far do you agree with this statement? In your answer, you should discuss at least two…
Answer this question and get it marked →'In Lysistrata, characters contribute equally to the success of the play.' How far do you agree with this statement? In your answer, you should discuss at least three characters.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 11
Read the passage and answer the questions. Who is Aeacus (line 1)?
Answer this question and get it marked →'Greek comedy needs to be watched rather than read to fully appreciate its humour.' To what extent do you agree with this statement? In your answer you should discuss at least two…
Answer this question and get it marked →To what extent do you agree that the Chorus in Lysistrata adds far more to the success of the play than the Chorus in Women at the Thesmophoria? In your answer, you should discuss…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 12
Read the passage and answer the questions. Who is Stratyllis?
Answer this question and get it marked →'Audiences are only able to laugh at the characters in Frogs and Lysistrata because they are exaggerated and not believable as real people.' To what extent do you agree with this…
Answer this question and get it marked →'Women at the Thesmophoria is a better blend of reality and fantasy than Frogs.' How far do you agree with this statement?
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 13
Read the passage and answer the questions. Who is Stratyllis?
Answer this question and get it marked →'Audiences are only able to laugh at the characters in Frogs and Lysistrata because they are exaggerated and not believable as real people.' To what extent do you agree with this…
Answer this question and get it marked →'Women at the Thesmophoria is a better blend of reality and fantasy than Frogs.' How far do you agree with this statement?
Answer this question and get it marked →Other AS & A Level Classical Studies topics
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