Longus Dapnis and Chloe Books 3-4 Study Questions

Be prepared to identify: Lycaenion, Dionysophanes, Lampis, Astylus, Gnathon, Cleariste, Megacles.

Book Three

1. How would you characterize the war between Mytilene and Methymna?

2. What is winter like for  Daphnis and Chloe?

3. How serious is Daphnis about hunting? What other hunters are there in the novel?

4. What gives Daphnis the opportunity to spend even more time with Chloe on his winter visit?

5. Compare Lycaenion to Dorcon and to rivals in other novels.

6. What trick does Lycaenion use to have her way with Daphnis?

7. How does Daphnis' encounter with Lycaenion affect the symmetry of his relationship with Chloe?

8. Comment on nature's relationship to art in this novel.

9. What connections can be seen between Echo and Chloe?

10. What is the obstacle to Daphnis' marrying Chloe and how is it removed?

11. Why is the wedding delayed until autumn?

12. What is the significance of the apple that Daphnis gives to Chloe?

Book Four

1. How does the action follow the passage of the seasons in the novel?

2. How would you interpret the description of the garden? What is the other important garden in the novel?

3. What is the significance of the paintings in the temple of Dionysus?

4. What disparate worlds does Eudromus unite?

5. How can Lampis' violation of the garden be interpreted?

6. What is Astylus' relationship to Daphnis?

7. What argument does Daphnis use in rejecting Gnathons' advances?

8. What sort of man is Dionysophanes?

9. Daphnis is horrified that Gnathon wants him, but how is Gnathon useful to Daphnis in the end?

10. What is the effect of Chloe's new clothing?

11. How do the city people react to the news and sight of Daphnis and Chloe?

12. How are city and country reconciled in the end?

13. How can we explain the nature of the wedding song sung at the end of the novel?

14. What is Chloe's final lesson?