Analyzing Literary Text Unit Test

Question

14 of 1814 of 18 Items

Feature

The Metamorphoses
by Ovid

The party-wall, common to the two houses, was cleft by a small chink, which it had got formerly, when it was built. This defect, remarked by no one for so many ages, you lovers (what does not love perceive?) first found one, and you made it a passage for your voices, and the accents of love used to pass through it in safety, with the gentlest murmur. Oftentimes, after they had taken their stations, Thisbe on one side, and Pyramus on the other, and the breath of their mouths had been mutually caught by turns, they used to say, ‘Envious wall, why dost thou stand in the way of lovers? what great matter were it, for thee to suffer us to be joined with our entire bodies? Or if that is too much, that, at least, thou shouldst open, for the exchange of kisses. Nor are we ungrateful; we confess that we are indebted to thee, that a passage has been given for our words to our loving ears.’ Having said this much, in vain, on their respective sides, about night they said, ‘Farewell’; and gave those kisses each on their own side, which did not reach the other side.

"The Metamorphoses" by Ovid

Midsummer Night's Dream
by William Shakespeare

THISBE.

O wall, full often hast thou heard my moans,

For parting my fair Pyramus and me.

My cherry lips have often kiss’d thy stones,

1 of 8
Question
Use the passages to answer the question.

How does Shakespeare transform Ovid’s source material? Select the two correct answers.

(1 point)
Responses

Shakespeare uses Ovid’s source material to make the story new for new audiences.
Shakespeare uses Ovid’s source material to make the story new for new audiences.

Ovid’s story uses source material from an older story and makes it relevant to a new audience.
Ovid’s story uses source material from an older story and makes it relevant to a new audience.

Shakespeare has Thisbe talk to the wall, but Ovid does not.
Shakespeare has Thisbe talk to the wall, but Ovid does not.

Shakespeare takes Ovid’s story and puts it into dialogue to be performed by actors.
Shakespeare takes Ovid’s story and puts it into dialogue to be performed by actors.

Ovid’s story is a comedy, but Shakespeare turns it into a tragedy.
Ovid’s story is a comedy, but Shakespeare turns it into a tragedy.
Skip to navigation

Answer 1

To answer the question on how Shakespeare transforms Ovid's source material, we can examine the provided options in the context of both texts.

1. Shakespeare uses Ovid’s source material to make the story new for new audiences.

   • This statement is true. Shakespeare often adapted stories to fit the tastes and sensibilities of his time, making them accessible to new audiences.

2. Ovid’s story uses source material from an older story and makes it relevant to a new audience.

   • This statement is somewhat true since Ovid did adapt and reinterpret ancient myths, but it doesn't specifically address how Shakespeare transforms the material.

3. Shakespeare has Thisbe talk to the wall, but Ovid does not.

   • This statement is not accurate. Ovid does mention the lovers addressing the wall and expressing their frustration with it, whereas Shakespeare emphasizes Thisbe’s direct address to the wall.

4. Shakespeare takes Ovid’s story and puts it into dialogue to be performed by actors.

   • This statement is true. Shakespeare’s work is a play written in dialogue, while Ovid’s version is a narrative poem.

5. Ovid’s story is a comedy, but Shakespeare turns it into a tragedy.

   • This statement is inaccurate. Ovid’s story has tragic elements, and Shakespeare retains the tragedy in his adaptation.

Based on this analysis, the two correct responses are:

• Shakespeare uses Ovid’s source material to make the story new for new audiences.
• Shakespeare takes Ovid’s story and puts it into dialogue to be performed by actors.