The ellipsoidal model displayed mixed performance in reproducing quantum dynamics results. The model correctly predicts the anisotropic response for rods and disks. However, while the error generally remains close to 10%, it is approximately double this for both the 2 × 2 × 4 rod and the 4 × 4 × 2 disk. Analysis of the physical basis for discrepancies between the continuum and quantum models can both suggest improvements to the continuum model and provide insights difficult to obtain from quantum dynamics alone. These insights may inform design principles for high-permittivity composites.