Longus, Daphnis and Chloe 1-2 Study Questions

Be prepared to identify: Daphnis, Chloe, Dryas, Nape, Lamon, Myrtale, Dorcon, Lesbos, Mytilene, Methymna, Philetas, Pan, Dionysus, Pastoral, Sappho, Theocritus.

Book 1

1. What is the function of the ekphrasis in the prologue? How is it different from the one at the Achilles Tatius?

2. Who is telling the story? What is the narrator's attitude towards the characters in his story?

3. Who are the parents of Daphnis and Chloe? Who raises them?

4. How do they meet? How does this differ from the novels studied so far?

5. What part does the landscape play in this story?

6. What part does art play?

7. What is the first danger faced?

8. What causes Chloe to feel the effects of Eros?

9. Why does she not understand what is happening to her?

10. How is Dorkon different from Daphnis?

11. What causes Daphnis to fall in love?

12. Why does Dorcon's knowledge of the ways of love fail him?

13. Comment on the significance of the story of the wood-dove.

14. How does Daphnis survive pirates and shipwreck?

15. What are the main virtues of Daphnis and Chloe?

Book 2

1. What is the relationship of the seasons to the progress of love?

2. What happens to disrupt the peace and  happiness of Daphnis and Chloe?

3. What is the source of Philetas' authority?

4. What is his role in the story?

5. What does Philetas' garden represent?

6. How is Love characterized?

7. What do Daphnis and Chloe come to understand after meeting Philetas?

8. What prevents them from consummating their desire?

9. How do the Methymnean tourists affect the progress of the love story? What do they represent in the world of this novel?

10. What happens to threaten Daphnis' safety?

11. How are the lovers separated a second time? How does Daphnis react?

12. How is Chloe rescued?

13. What is the significance of the story of the pipes? Where have we heard this story before? How is it different this time?

14. What does Philetas give to Daphnis?

15. What ritual closes this book?