2c. Content of Prose Literature (H443/03) - Group 2 - For examination in 2027, 2028 and 2029 (fifth set text cycle) — OCR A-Level Latin
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2c. Content of Prose Literature (H443/03) - Group 2 - For examination in 2027, 2028 and 2029 (fifth set text cycle) explained
2c. Content of Prose Literature (H443/03) - Group 2 - For examination in 2027, 2028 and 2029 (fifth set text cycle) covers 6 specification points, including Cicero, pro Roscio Amerino, 29 (quid primum …)… and English: Cicero, pro Roscio Amerino 35–36, 58–78.
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Open a point below for its explanation and revision guidance.
Cicero, pro Roscio Amerino, 29 (quid primum …) – 32 (… iuguletis aut condemnetis?) and 37 (occidisse patrem ...) – 57 (… accusare possitis)
This set text is two runs of Cicero's defence speech pro Roscio Amerino: sections 29–32, opening at 'quid primum', and sections 37–57, opening at 'occidisse patrem'. Cicero defends Sextus Roscius against the charge of murdering his father and attacks the prosecutors, especially the freedman Chrysogonus and his associates. Learn the Latin closely enough to translate and to analyse Cicero's rhetorical techniques: rhetorical questions, apostrophe, irony, tricolon, praeteritio and appeals to the jury's sense of justice. Revise the argument's structure and the named figures, and be ready to explain how Cicero shapes the jury's sympathies. The bracketed words mark the exact start and end of each prescribed run.
English: Cicero, pro Roscio Amerino 35–36, 58–78
This row fixes the prescribed Cicero set text for H443/03 Group 2 in the 2027–2029 cycle: the English translation of pro Roscio Amerino, sections 35–36 and 58–78. You study these passages in English, so the assessment tests comprehension of argument, characterisation and rhetorical strategy rather than translation of Latin. Section 35–36 introduces the prosecution's alleged motive and Cicero's framing of the charge; 58–78 develops the defence, including the handling of the slaves and the attack on the prosecutors' credibility. Learn what each passage argues, who speaks, and how Cicero builds persuasion, and be ready to answer multiple-choice questions that test close reading of the set sections only.
Tacitus, Annals XIV, 29–37 and 59 (et posito metu …) – 65
This prescription covers two separated stretches of Annals XIV. The first, chapters 29–37, narrates the revolt of Boudica and the Britons and the decisive battle in which Suetonius Paulinus defeats them. The second begins at chapter 59 with the anchor phrase 'et posito metu' ('and with fear set aside') and runs to chapter 65. Read the anchor as a boundary: the downfall and killing of Rubellius Plautus belong to the narrative before 'et posito metu' and lie outside the prescribed text, so treat them only as background if you mention them at all. Within 59–65 follow the agents in order: Tacitus reports the deaths and aftermath that follow the lifting of fear, and the sequence of who acts on whom matters for accurate comment. Learn to distinguish what the prescription includes from what merely precedes it, and to attribute each action to its named agent.
English: Tacitus, Annals XIV, 14–15, 20–21, 38–39, 51–57
This row names the Group 2 prose prescription for H443/03 in the fifth set text cycle, examined in 2027, 2028 and 2029: a selection of passages from Tacitus, Annals XIV, read in English. The passages are 14–15, 20–21, 38–39 and 51–57, so the study is a discontinuous set of extracts rather than the whole book. Learners should know which episodes each extract covers, how the extracts relate to one another across the book, and how Tacitus shapes his narrative of Nero's reign. Because the text is read in English, analysis focuses on content, characterisation, narrative technique and the historian's presentation rather than on translating Latin. Prepare by locating each extract in its context, tracking recurring themes such as power, flattery and decline, and practising precise reference to the named passages.
Apuleius, Metamorphoses, Book VI, 7–21 ( ... cadaver)
This prescription is Book VI, chapters (sections) 7–21 of Apuleius' Metamorphoses, ending at the word 'cadaver'. Apuleius writes prose, so refer to chapters or sections 7–21, never to 'lines'. The stretch belongs to the Cupid and Psyche tale: Psyche, set tasks by Venus, must sort a heap of mixed seed and later fetch wool from fierce sheep and water from the Styx, receiving help from ants, a reed and an eagle before the final descent to the underworld with its warning about the box. Read the ending anchor 'cadaver' as marking the close of the prescribed portion. Track which agent performs each task and who assists, and keep the sequence in the order Apuleius narrates it.
English: Apuleius, Metamorphoses Book V, 28–31 and Book VI 1–6 and 21 (rest of)–24
This Group 2 prose prescription covers a continuous stretch of Apuleius' Metamorphoses read in English: Book V chapters 28–31, then Book VI chapters 1–6, then Book VI from the remainder of chapter 21 through to chapter 24. Because the text is prose divided into chapters, the phrase '21 (rest of)' means the later portion of chapter 21, not a line of verse; treat the reading as beginning partway through that chapter and continuing to the end of chapter 24. The selected narrative centres on the Cupid and Psyche story: Psyche's trials, her descent and the final reconciliation. Learn the sequence of episodes and who acts in each, and be ready to answer multiple-choice questions on content, character and narrative detail within these chapters only.
Your focus
- Translate and explain Latin from pro Roscio Amerino 29–32 and 37–57 accurately.
- Identify grammatical forms and constructions within the prescribed sections.
- Analyse Cicero's rhetorical techniques and explain their effect on the jury.
Show all 18 objectives
- Explain Cicero's argument in sections 35–36 and 58–78.
- Identify rhetorical techniques used in the set English passages.
- Select the answer best supported by the cited set section.
- Locate the two prescribed stretches of Annals XIV accurately.
- Explain why the killing of Rubellius Plautus falls outside chapters 59–65.
- Attribute actions in the prescribed text to the correct agents.
- Locate each prescribed episode within its correct extract range.
- Explain how Tacitus shapes his narrative through selection and arrangement.
- Support analytical claims with precise reference to the named passages.
- Refer to Apuleius' prose divisions accurately as chapters or sections.
- Identify the tasks and helpers within Book VI, 7–21.
- Explain the function of the closing anchor 'cadaver'.
- Place a given episode within Book V chapters 28–31 or Book VI chapters 1–6 and 21 (rest of)–24.
- Explain that '21 (rest of)' denotes the later part of a prose chapter.
- Attribute actions in the prescribed passage to the correct character.
2c. Content of Prose Literature (H443/03) - Group 2 - For examination in 2027, 2028 and 2029 (fifth set text cycle) exam tips
Marking Points
- Identifies the correct Latin form or construction and gives its grammatical description accurately.
- Translates the selected words or clause into clear English that preserves Cicero's emphasis and tone.
- Names a rhetorical technique used in the passage and explains its effect on the jury.
- Explains how a detail supports Cicero's argument or shapes sympathy for the defendant or against the prosecutors.
- Identifies the prescribed sections as 35–36 and 58–78 of the English pro Roscio Amerino.
- Explains Cicero's rhetorical strategy in the set passages using evidence from the English text.
- Distinguishes Cicero's defence argument from the prosecution's alleged case.
- Locates a stated detail within the correct set section rather than outside it.
- Identifies chapters 29–37 as the narrative of the Boudican revolt and Suetonius Paulinus' victory.
- Treats 'et posito metu' as the starting boundary of the second prescribed stretch and keeps earlier events outside it.
- Places the downfall and killing of Rubellius Plautus before the anchor phrase and outside the prescribed content.
- Attributes each reported action in chapters 59–65 to its named agent in the order Tacitus gives.
- Distinguishes material inside the prescription from background that merely precedes it.
- Identifies the prescribed extracts as Annals XIV 14–15, 20–21, 38–39 and 51–57, read in English.
- Places a given episode within the correct extract range rather than attributing it to an unprescribed part of the book.
- Explains how Tacitus presents character and motive through selection and arrangement of material.
- Supports a point about the historian's technique with specific reference to one of the named passages.
- Refers to the prescribed portion as chapters or sections 7–21, recognising that Apuleius writes prose.
- Places the passage within the Cupid and Psyche narrative of Book VI.
- Identifies Psyche as the agent undertaking Venus' imposed tasks in the prescribed stretch.
- Names the assisting agents, such as the ants, the reed and the eagle, and links each to its task.
- Treats 'cadaver' as the closing anchor of the prescribed portion.
- Identifies the prescribed Apuleius passage as Book V chapters 28–31 followed by Book VI chapters 1–6 and the remainder of chapter 21 through chapter 24.
- Reads '21 (rest of)' as the later part of chapter 21 in a prose text, not as a line reference.
- Locates events within the correct book and chapter range rather than importing material from outside the prescription.
- Distinguishes the agents of each episode so that an action is attributed to the character who performs it.
Examiner Tips
- 💡Read the whole periodic sentence before answering, since Cicero often withholds the main clause.
- 💡Quote the precise Latin words when explaining a rhetorical effect.
- 💡Keep the argument's structure in mind so you can place a passage within Cicero's overall case.
- 💡Read each option against the exact set section before choosing.
- 💡Note who is speaking and to whom in the passage the question cites.
- 💡Eliminate options that import material from outside the prescribed sections.
- 💡Check the anchor phrase before deciding whether an event is inside the prescription.
- 💡Name the agent of each action when you comment on sequence.
- 💡Keep Boudican material to chapters 29–37 and do not import later books.
- 💡Use precise chapter references rather than vague 'later in the book'.
- 💡Learn the boundaries of each extract so you can place an episode accurately.
- 💡Link extracts thematically, for example recurring concerns about power and flattery, rather than treating each in isolation.
- 💡Quote or closely paraphrase a specific moment from a named passage to support each analytical point.
- 💡Check the question's focus on presentation or technique before writing, and answer that focus directly.
- 💡Write 'chapters' or 'sections' rather than 'lines' for prose set texts.
- 💡Match each helper to its specific task when commenting on the narrative.
- 💡Quote the anchor word to show where the prescribed portion ends.
- 💡Keep the order of tasks as Apuleius gives it.
- 💡Map each episode to its book and chapter before revising details, so you can place a question quickly.
- 💡Note who performs each action, since multiple-choice distractors often swap characters.
- 💡Restrict your revision to the listed chapters and ignore material outside the prescription.
Common Mistakes
- Treats the whole speech as examinable; restrict revision to sections 29–32 and 37–57 as prescribed.
- Labels a figure of speech without explaining its persuasive effect; always link technique to impact on the jury.
- Confuses the roles of the prosecutors and Chrysogonus; check who is being attacked in each passage.
- Treats the whole speech as examinable; restrict answers to sections 35–36 and 58–78.
- Confuses Cicero the advocate with Cicero the narrator of events; keep the speaker roles distinct.
- Assumes the passage is studied in Latin; work from the English translation for this component.
- Includes the killing of Rubellius Plautus within chapters 59–65; place it before 'et posito metu' as background only.
- Treats the whole of Annals XIV as prescribed; restrict comment to 29–37 and 59–65.
- Assigns an action to the wrong agent; name the character who performs each act.
- Reads 'et posito metu' as a closing phrase; treat it as the opening anchor of the second stretch.
- Treats the whole of Annals XIV as prescribed; restrict analysis to the four named extract ranges.
- Assumes the passages are studied in Latin; the prescription is read in English, so comment on content and technique.
- Ignores the gaps between extracts; connect the discontinuous episodes and note what the selection emphasises.
- Offers general impressions of Nero's reign without anchoring them to a named passage; cite the extract range.
- Calls the passage 'lines 7–21'; use chapters or sections because the work is prose.
- Attributes a task to the wrong helper; match each assisting agent to the task it performs.
- Extends the prescription beyond the anchor word 'cadaver'; stop at that point.
- Confuses Book VI with another book of the novel; keep to Book VI, 7–21.
- Treats '21 (rest of)' as a poetic line reference; read it as the remainder of chapter 21 in a prose work.
- Assumes the whole of chapter 21 is prescribed; begin at the later portion of that chapter as the statement specifies.
- Places an episode in the wrong book; check whether the detail belongs to Book V or Book VI before answering.