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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Tiresius respond to Pentheus's order to destroy his property?

2. What are Tiresius and Cadmus wearing on their heads?

3. What are Tiresius and Cadmus wearing?

4. What is Semele?

5. What destroyed Dionysus's mother?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the second messenger report?

2. Why is the Chorus, even though it is similar to Pentheus, correct?

3. How does Dionysus turn the king's anger at him into contentment?

4. What is the message of the final scene of the play?

5. What does Cadmus do when confronted with Agave carrying Pentheus's head?

6. How does the Chorus refer to Pentheus in the fourth ode?

7. Why does the Chorus take Dionysus's side?

8. What explanation does Cadmus give for the events of the play?

9. Why has Pentheus come to rely on Dionysus for his disguise?

10. What story does the Parados tell?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

If you had to choose one word to describe Dionysus, what word would it be? Why did you choose that word? Present at least three choices and pick the strongest choice as your decision.

Essay Topic 2

Using the book to support your answer, explain how the main character Dionysus affects the play's structure.

Essay Topic 3

How does the play compare and contrast the ideas of restraint and reason to unrestrained behavior and emotions? Provide support for your answer with examples from the book.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 487 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample