Satyricon!

To what genre of classical literature does the Satyricon belong and why? To what genre of modern western literature is it most easily compared, and why?
Our word "satire," is derived from and linked to the title of Petronius' work, Satyricon. Is the Satyricon a satire? If so, of what?
What devices does Petronius use to characterize the principal characters of the Satyricon?
- Encolpius
- Ascyltos
- Giton
- Trimalchio
- Fortunata
- Eumulpos
What do you think of these folks as characters. Are they well-developed? Do you like, admire, hate, or scorn them? Why?
Are they like any other characters you have met in ancient literature? How?
Our text is very fragmentary. The Cena is the longest extant piece we have from it. And the vast majority of the work has been lost. How should the state of the text affect our efforts to interpret it.
Consider the other surviving sections: The interlude with the priestess of Priapus, the tale of the Widow of Ephesus, the sojourn in Croton. How do they compare and how are they linked to the Cena in style and presentation.