Cultural, Historical and Literary Context
What you must know
Context questions reward specific, relevant knowledge tied to the set text. You should know the genre and occasion of your text: for epic, the oral tradition, formulae, and heroic values (τιμή, κλέος, ξενία); for tragedy, the festival of Dionysus, the conventions of mask, chorus, and messenger speech, and the social world of the polis; for history, the author's method, speeches, and bias; for oratory, the courts and assembly, and rhetorical appeals. Know the relevant institutions: Athenian democracy, the law courts, the gymnasium, religion and sacrifice, and the household. Know the author's date and audience.
Using context in answers
Context must serve the question. If asked how a passage reflects fifth-century values, name the value, quote a word that embodies it, and explain the link. Do not write a general essay on Athenian history.
Traps
- Supplying myth or history not in the text and not asked for.
- Confusing Greek and Roman institutions.
- Assuming the author shares his characters' views.
- Ignoring the question's requirement to refer to the passage.
- Dating errors: knowing the author's century is usually enough, but be accurate.
Rule of thumb
For every context point, ask: does this help explain a word, action, or attitude in the set passage? If not, cut it. One precise, well-linked fact beats five general ones.