Heliodorus, An Ethiopian Story Books 1-5 Study Questions

Be prepared to identify: Theagenes, Charikleia, Knemon, Thisbe, Thyamis, Petosiris, Charikles, Kalasiris, Persinna, Hydaspes.

Book 1

1. Who is narrating the story?

2. Through whose eyes do we see the opening scene?

3. What questions arise for us as we read the opening scene?

4. How is our gaze directed to different people and objects?

5. Which conventions of the novel can we recognize? What differences are there in the presentation of the story from other novels we have read?

6. How do we learn the names of the lovers?

7. What sort of story does Knemon tell?

8. How does the narrative raise questions of interpretation?

9. What is Thyamis' history and character?

10. How truthful is Charikleia's story to Thyamis (as far as we know)? How trustworthy is she as a narrator here?

Book 2

1. Do you think Charikleia is dead? Why?

2. What conclusions does Knemon draw after reading Thisbe's letter?

3. How do Theagenes and Charikleia react when they hear the word 'Delphi'?

4. How is Charikleia's dream about the loss of her eye interpreted?

5. How is the reader introduced to the 'old man' and how do we get to know him?

6. What is the significance of the character Knemon so far in the novel?

7. Why did Kalasiris leave Egypt and go into exile?

8. How and what do we find out about Charikleia's past?

9. What information does Charikles' narrative give about Theagenes?

10. Describe the structure of the narrative so far.

Book 3

1. What is Knemon's criticism of Kalasiris' story?

2. How does Heliodorus alter the 'conventional' falling-in-love scene?

3. How is Kalasiris' authority established?

4. How seriously can we take Kalasiris' account of an Egyptian Homer?

5. What has been Kalasiris' role throughout this book?

Book 4

1. What metaphor for love do we find at the opening of this book?

2. Why was Charikleia exposed at birth? What does Andromeda have to do with it?

3. What interpretation of his dream does Kalasiris offer to Charikles?

4. How does Charikles understand the disappearance of Charikleia?

5. What has been Kalasiris' role in this book?

Book 5

1. What is the most important thing for Knemon?

2. What happens to surprise us and Knemon? How are the readers set straight before Knemon is?

3. What fate is worse than death for Charikleia?

4. Why does Nausikles tell Charikleia to say her name is Thisbe?

5. What sort of ring is used to pay Nausikles for Charikleia?

6. What is the pirates' object in attacking the Phoenician ship?

7. What questions from the opening scene of the novel are answered for us by Kalasiris' narrative at the end of Book 5?