Latin Style Analysis: 15-Mark Questions

📚 A-Level Latin ⏱️ 30 min 📊 Tacitus Style Analysis

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you will understand how to answer "How does Tacitus..." style questions worth 15 marks, what stylistic features to identify and analyse, how to develop points fully rather than just spotting techniques, and the difference between Level 3 and Level 4/5 responses.

What Makes This Question Different?

"How does Tacitus maintain the reader's interest?" is fundamentally a style question, not a content question. You're not being asked what happens in the passage, but how Tacitus writes it to keep readers engaged.

This means you need to focus on stylistic features—the literary techniques Tacitus uses—and explain why and how each technique maintains interest. Simply identifying techniques won't get you high marks. You need to analyse their effect.

The Golden Rule
Identify AND analyse. Don't just spot techniques—explain their effect. Why does this maintain interest? How does it engage the reader? What's the impact? Vague phrases like "makes it interesting" aren't enough.

The Passage

How does Tacitus maintain the reader's interest in this passage?
[15 marks]
Ti. Claudio quintum Servio Cornelio Orfito consulibus virilis toga Neroni maturata quo capessendae rei publicae habilis videretur. et Caesar adulationibus senatus libens cessit ut vicesimo aetatis anno consulatum Nero iniret atque interim designatus proconsulare imperium extra urbem haberet ac princeps iuventutis appellaretur. additum nomine eius donativum militi, congiarium plebei. et ludicro circensium, quod adquirendis vulgi studiis edebatur, Britannicus in praetexta, Nero triumphali veste travecti sunt: spectaret populus hunc decore imperatorio, illum puerili habitu, ac perinde fortunam utriusque praesumeret.
Translation:

In the consulships of Tiberius Claudius - for the fifth time - and Servius Cornelius Orfitus, the (granting of the) manly toga to Nero was accelerated, so that he might seem suitable to undertake a public role. Also, the emperor willingly yielded to the flattering suggestions of the Senate that Nero should enter upon the consulship in the 20th year of his life and in the meantime, as consul designate, he should hold proconsular power outside the city and be called leader of the youth. A donative was added for the soldiers in Nero's name, (and) a handout for the plebs. Also, at a performance of the circus games, which was provided in order to get the goodwill of the mob, Britannicus rode past in the toga praetexta, Nero in triumphal clothing: (the reasoning was that) the people should look at the latter in his triumphal glory and the former in boyhood apparel and would therefore anticipate the fortune of both.
Context Matters
This passage describes Nero's rapid advancement whilst his stepbrother Britannicus (the legitimate heir) is sidelined. Tacitus shows Agrippina manipulating Claudius and the Senate to favour her son. The visual spectacle at the circus games—Nero in triumph, Britannicus in boyhood dress—foreshadows their respective fates.

Key Stylistic Features to Analyse

For "How does Tacitus..." questions, focus on these types of stylistic features. Don't just list them—explain how each maintains interest.

📝
Loaded Vocabulary
Words with negative connotations that reveal Tacitus's attitude: maturata (rushed unnaturally), adulationibus (corrupt flattery), vulgi (mob, not 'people')
🎭
Subjunctive Mood
Videretur = "might seem" (not "was"). Suggests Nero only appears suitable, implying he's actually unsuitable for power
⚖️
Contrast & Juxtaposition
Britannicus vs Nero visual comparison. Hunc...illum (this one...that one) emphasises the dramatic difference in their treatment
🎯
Parallelism
Donativum militi, congiarium plebei - balanced structure shows systematic bribery of different groups. Tricolon of honours adds weight
👁️
Visual Imagery
The circus scene creates vivid spectacle. Readers visualise the public display of Nero's supremacy over Britannicus
⚡
Foreshadowing
Praesumeret (anticipate their fortune) hints ominously at their futures. Readers know Britannicus will be murdered by Nero
🏛️
Sentence Structure
Hyperbaton (word order), periodic sentences building to climax, short clauses creating urgency
💭
Authorial Commentary
Tacitus's tone and attitude revealed through word choice. He doesn't state opinions directly but implies them through loaded language

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are the most common mistakes that prevent students from reaching Level 4/5:

✕ Mistake 1: Just Identifying Without Analysing
The Problem: You spot a technique but don't explain its effect. For example: "Tacitus uses hyperbaton" or "There is parallelism here."
Why this loses marks: The question asks "How does Tacitus maintain interest?" Simply identifying features doesn't answer this. You need to explain how and why the technique maintains interest.
✕ Mistake 2: Vague, Meaningless Analysis
Common phrases to avoid:
  • "This makes it more interesting"
  • "This engages the reader"
  • "This maintains interest"
  • "This creates emphasis"
Why this loses marks: These phrases are circular and add nothing. They don't explain how or why. You're just restating the question without answering it.
✕ Mistake 3: Starting But Not Finishing
The Problem: You identify a technique and begin explaining it, but then trail off or jump to the next point before fully developing the analysis.
Why this loses marks: Examiners can see you have the right idea but haven't followed through. Each point needs 3-4 sentences minimum: identify, explain, analyse effect, perhaps connect to themes.
✕ Mistake 4: Missing Key Features
The Problem: Focusing on minor features whilst ignoring obvious, significant ones. For example, missing the loaded vocabulary (maturata, adulationibus), the visual spectacle at the circus, or the ominous foreshadowing (praesumeret).
Why this loses marks: You need to identify the most important stylistic features first. Minor points can supplement, but shouldn't replace, major analysis.
✕ Mistake 5: No Variety in Features
The Problem: Listing five examples of loaded vocabulary, or five examples of parallelism, without showing range across different stylistic techniques.
Why this loses marks: Examiners want to see you can identify different types of features: vocabulary, sentence structure, rhetorical devices, imagery, tone, etc. Aim for variety.
1 of 5
The Fix for All These Mistakes
Always ask yourself: "So what? Why does this matter? How does this make the passage more engaging?" If you can't answer these questions, your analysis isn't deep enough yet.

Improve Your Analysis

Below are weak analyses followed by improved versions. Click "Show Improved Version" to see how to develop each point from surface-level to perceptive analysis.

⚠️ Weak Analysis:
Tacitus uses hyperbaton with "toga...maturata" which makes it more interesting because the word order is unusual.
Problem: Identifies the technique but doesn't explain why or how it maintains interest. "More interesting" is vague and meaningless.
✓ Improved Analysis:
"virilis toga Neroni maturata"
Tacitus uses the loaded term maturata ("accelerated" / "rushed unnaturally") to reveal his criticism of Agrippina's manipulation. The word suggests something being forced before its natural time—like fruit ripened artificially. This maintains reader interest by immediately establishing that Nero's advancement is wrong and manipulated, making us question his suitability for power and anticipate the disasters his premature rise will cause. The vocabulary choice transforms a simple fact (Nero received his toga) into evidence of political corruption.
⚠️ Weak Analysis:
Tacitus uses parallelism in "donativum militi, congiarium plebei" which creates balance and emphasis.
Problem: Correctly identifies parallelism but stops there. Doesn't explain what the balance does or why it matters for reader interest. "Creates emphasis" doesn't explain emphasis of what.
✓ Improved Analysis:
"additum nomine eius donativum militi, congiarium plebei"
The parallelism of "donativum militi, congiarium plebei" creates a balanced structure that emphasises the systematic nature of this bribery. By listing these gifts in matching grammatical form (noun + dative), Tacitus suggests a calculated political strategy—different groups are being bought off methodically. This maintains interest by revealing the corruption behind Nero's rise: he's not earning loyalty through merit or virtue, but purchasing it from both military and civilian populations. The neat parallel structure ironically highlights the corrupt transaction—it's too systematic, too organised, too obviously transactional.
⚠️ Weak Analysis:
Tacitus uses demonstratives "hunc...illum" which draws attention to both boys and makes the contrast clear so the reader understands the difference.
Problem: Trails off without explaining what the contrast means or why it matters. "Makes the contrast clear" is circular—yes, contrasts create contrast, but so what?
✓ Improved Analysis:
"spectaret populus hunc decore imperatorio, illum puerili habitu"
The visual juxtaposition of "hunc...illum" (this one...that one) forces the reader to picture the dramatic spectacle: Nero in triumphal imperial dress versus Britannicus still in the boyish toga praetexta. The demonstratives create a theatrical pointing gesture, as if Tacitus is directing our gaze between the two boys like a camera cutting between shots. This maintains interest through vivid visual imagery—we see the public humiliation of the legitimate heir whilst his stepbrother parades in unearned glory. The scene is both dramatic and ominous: readers familiar with history know this visual foreshadows Britannicus's murder by Nero, making the spectacle retrospectively horrifying.
⚠️ Weak Analysis:
Tacitus uses the subjunctive "videretur" which shows uncertainty and engages the reader by making them question what's happening.
Problem: On the right track but underdeveloped. What kind of uncertainty? Question what exactly? The analysis needs to be more specific and connect to the larger theme.
✓ Improved Analysis:
"quo capessendae rei publicae habilis videretur"
The subjunctive videretur ("might seem" suitable) rather than an indicative ("was" suitable) subtly undermines Nero's legitimacy. Tacitus implies that Nero only appears ready for power—the reality is different. This maintains interest by inviting readers to read between the lines: if Agrippina needs to manipulate appearances to make Nero "seem" suitable, he's clearly unsuitable. The subjunctive mood transforms what could be a neutral statement into Tacitean irony, where the grammar itself expresses his authorial judgment. We're engaged because we're being trusted to understand this sophisticated criticism.
Notice the Pattern
Every improved version: (1) Identifies the feature with Latin, (2) Explains what it means precisely, (3) Analyses how it maintains interest with specific reasoning, (4) Often connects to larger themes or historical context. That's the formula for high marks.

Step-by-Step Method for 15-Mark Questions

1
Identify 5-6 Different Stylistic Features
Don't just pick the same type repeatedly (e.g. all loaded vocabulary). Aim for variety: loaded vocabulary, sentence structure, rhetorical devices (parallelism, tricolon), visual imagery, contrast/juxtaposition, tone, foreshadowing. Quote the Latin accurately.
2
For Each Feature, Use This Formula
a) Identify the technique with Latin quotation
b) Translate/explain what it means
c) Analyse its effect - why/how does it maintain interest?
d) Connect to larger themes or context where relevant
3
Avoid Vague Language
Never just say "makes it more interesting" or "engages the reader." Always explain how and why. Use specific analysis: "creates visual imagery that...", "reveals political manipulation by...", "builds tension through...", "establishes ominous foreshadowing of..."
4
Develop Points Fully
Don't just identify and move on. Each point should be 3-4 sentences: identify technique, explain meaning, analyse effect, perhaps connect to themes. If you're only writing one sentence per feature, you're not developing enough.
5
Balance Range and Depth
You need both variety of features (range) and detailed analysis of each (depth). Don't just list 10 surface-level points—aim for 5-6 well-developed, perceptive analyses. Quality over quantity.

Quick Checklist

Before You Submit, Check:

  • Have I identified AND analysed (not just spotted techniques)?
  • Have I explained WHY/HOW each feature maintains interest?
  • Have I included accurate Latin quotations?
  • Have I shown variety in my choice of features?
  • Have I developed each point fully (3-4 sentences minimum)?
  • Have I avoided vague phrases like "makes it interesting"?
  • Have I connected features to larger themes/context where relevant?
  • Is my analysis perceptive and specific, not surface-level?

Improve Your Answer

Now it's your turn! Below is a weak analysis from a student answer. Use what you've learnt in this lesson to rewrite and improve it. Remember the formula: identify the technique, explain what it means, analyse how it maintains interest, and connect to larger themes.

Original Weak Answer:
"Tacitus uses contrast between Britannicus and Nero at the circus games. Britannicus wears the toga praetexta and Nero wears triumphal clothing. This creates a visual image and makes the passage more interesting for the reader because they can see the difference between the two boys."
💡 Hints to Help You Improve:
  • Quote the Latin (hunc decore imperatorio, illum puerili habitu)
  • Explain what the demonstratives hunc...illum do (theatrical pointing, directing our gaze)
  • Go beyond "creates visual image" - what is the effect of this image? What does it make us feel or think?
  • Consider the foreshadowing: readers know Britannicus's fate
  • Think about themes: legitimate vs illegitimate heir, public humiliation, political manipulation
  • Avoid vague phrases like "more interesting" - be specific about how and why
📝 Writing Checklist:
  • Have I included accurate Latin quotations?
  • Have I explained the technique in detail?
  • Have I analysed the effect on the reader?
  • Have I connected to larger themes or context?
  • Is my analysis at least 4-5 sentences long?
  • Have I avoided vague phrases like "makes it interesting"?
✓ Model Answer (Click to Reveal)
"spectaret populus hunc decore imperatorio, illum puerili habitu"
The visual juxtaposition of "hunc...illum" (this one...that one) forces the reader to picture the dramatic spectacle: Nero in triumphal imperial dress versus Britannicus still in the boyish toga praetexta. The demonstratives create a theatrical pointing gesture, as if Tacitus is directing our gaze between the two boys like a camera cutting between shots. This maintains interest through vivid visual imagery—we see the public humiliation of the legitimate heir whilst his stepbrother parades in unearned glory. The scene is both dramatic and ominous: readers familiar with history know this visual foreshadows Britannicus's murder by Nero, making the spectacle retrospectively horrifying. The contrast isn't just visual but symbolic—boyhood versus triumph, legitimate right versus political manipulation, innocence versus calculated ambition.