Petronius' Satyricon Study Questions

Be prepared to identify: Petronius, Quartilla,  Encolpius, Giton, Ascyltus, Agamemnon, Trimalchio, Fortunata, Habinnas, Scintilla, Eumolpus, Lichas, Tryphaena, Circe, Priapus

1. What is being parodied in the Satyricon?

2. What god is persecuting the hero Encolpius?

3. How does Encolpius see himself?

4. How reliable is Encolpius as narrator? Why?

5. What comments are made about gladiatorial display?

6. To what social class do Trimalchio and his guests belong?

7. How did Trimalchio get so rich?

8. What is Trimalchio's attitude towards death?

9. How does Trimalchio treat his slaves and why?

10. How does Trimalchio treat his wife and why?

11. What is the role of food in this narrative?

12. How good is Trimalchio's education?

13. What use does he make of literature?

14. How does Trimalchio's house reflect his character?

15. What is Habinnas' profession?

16. What causes the fight between Trimalchio and Fortunata?

17. What superstitions is Trimalchio prey to?

18. What is the character of the love adventures of Encolpius?

19. What literary genres are incorporated into this novel?

20. How can we interpret the encounter with Circe?

21. How does Petronius as author perceive his characters?

22. As readers, do we identify with anyone in the novel?