The
image above is a word cloud created specifically for this passage, it
has been modified from its original form by adding in the following
words: Demochares, ursus, ludi, and spectacula (Demochares, bear, games, and spectacles). The word clouds below represent those created using only the selected passage from the Metamorphoses. For
the purposes of this exercise, the most frequently used Latin words
such as 'et' and 'cum' have been excluded (selected by the Wordle creation tool) in order to generate a cloud which places more emphasis on the nouns, verbs, and adjectives used. Those
words seen in larger font represent those words more frequently used in
the Latin text and those in smaller font correspond with lesser used
words. A general analysis comparing all of the selected spectacles
passages from the Metamorphoses is conducted in the 'Word Cloud Analysis' section of this webpage. At this point, please consider the questions posed below.
Does the shape selected for each word cloud affect your understanding of the text or your analysis of the word usage? If so, how?
What words are used most frequently in this passage?
Are these the words you expected to find?
What words are used most frequently in this passage?
Are these the words you expected to find?
Does perspective and/or color change have any effect on your understanding of the text?
Does the use of color affect your understanding of word usage? Is there a difference?
Do different words stand out in this black and white version compared to the color clouds above?
Do different words stand out in this black and white version compared to the color clouds above?
Finally, what do these clouds reveal about Roman spectacle? How does this compare to the clouds generated by the other passages?
The Games of Demochares most common words (in no particular order):
The Games of Demochares most common words (in no particular order):
Most common words:
iam - (adjective) at the moment, now, presently, already, soon etc. bestiae/bestiam - beast, animal tunc - (adverb demonstrative of time) then, at that time, just then, on that occasion, now, at this time, in that event, thereupon, forthwith, just afterwards, accordingly, consequently domo/domus - home, house Thrasyleon - Thrasyleon (name of one of the robbers from the narrative) nam - (conjunction) for (introducing an explanation) |
Second most common words:
ursae - a bear, she-bear gladiis - a sword nunc - (adverb) now, at present, at this time, not until now etc. tam - (adverb) as much, so much etc. nobis/nostrum - (personal pronoun) we, us latrones - a robber, mercenary soldier ego/eius - (personal pronoun) I, me illa - (demonstrative pronoun) that enim - (conjunction) for, for instance, namely, that is to say corporis - a body, corpse, head aedibus - a dwelling of the gods, temple, sanctuary immo - (adverb) no indeed, by no means, on the contrary etc. satis - (adjective) enough, sufficient, satisfactory, ample, adequate sui/sese/se - (reflexive pronoun) himself, herself, itself, themselves ceteris - other ipse - (demonstrative pronoun) to express emphasis or eminence sine - (preposition) without |
Which words relate most closely to spectacle? What other words pertaining to spectacles can be seen in the word cloud that are not listed above?