Question

Background: babylonia, ancient cultural region occupying southeastern mesopotamia between the tigris and euphrates rivers (modern southern iraq from around baghdad to the persian gulf). because the city of babylon was the capital of this area for so many centuries, the term babylonia has come to refer to the entire culture that developed in the area from the time it was first settled, about 4000 bce. before babylon’s rise to political prominence (c. 1850 bce), however, the area was divided into two countries: sumer in the southeast and akkad in the northwest.

The story of Pyramus and Thisbe takes place in Babylon. Why do you think the author chose this setting?

a) Because this is the capital, so it's the most important city.
b) Because Babylon was divided like the houses of the lovers.
c) Because Babylonia refers to the entire culture that developed in this area.
d) Because it was an ancient city, and this is an ancient tale.

Answer 1

The setting of Babylon for the tale of Pyramus and Thisbe is significant because it reflects both the historical prominence and the cultural depth of the city, providing a rich backdrop for the ancient story. Option D is the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

The story of Pyramus and Thisbe is set in Babylon, which might seem like a mere backdrop for an ancient love tale. However, the author's choice is likely to be deeply significant, symbolizing the divisions and the richness of Mesopotamian history. The city of Babylon, once the heart of an expansive empire and a cultural hub with its ziggurats and great temples, represents a world steeped in history, legend, and the blending of cultures.

Babylon's prominence rose dramatically during the reign of King Hammurabi when it became a key seat of power and administrative capital. During this time, the city became a center of scribal learning, producing important writings on multiple disciplines, from divination to medicine and mathematics. The city's legacy as a 'gateway of the gods' also adds a profound layer of mythology, which is suitable for a tale like Pyramus and Thisbe, emphasizing the extraordinary against a backdrop that is both historic and mythic.

Option (d) Because it was an ancient city, and this is an ancient tale is a correct answer, as it not only provides a historical setting appropriate for an ancient story but also an environment laden with the cultural depth and complexities reflective of the lovers' challenging narrative.