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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Ajax pleads to be allowed to die but says that who is keeping him alive?
(a) Ares.
(b) Athena.
(c) Apollo.
(d) Artemis.

2. What traditional element of Classical Greek theater consists of a number of actors speaking with a single voice?
(a) The Orchestra.
(b) The Chorus.
(c) The Men.
(d) The Group.

3. What direction does the Chorus move when singing the strophe?
(a) Left to right.
(b) Front to back.
(c) Right to left.
(d) Back to front.

4. What time of day is it at the beginning of the play?
(a) Dusk.
(b) Evening.
(c) Afternoon.
(d) Dawn.

5. When does honor first appear as a theme in the play?
(a) In the Chorus' second lines.
(b) In the Chorus' third lines.
(c) In the Chorus' first lines.
(d) In the Chorus' last lines.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the Chorus believe has afflicted Ajax?

2. Who is Athena?

3. The Chorus urges Ajax not to dishonor them, but to do what?

4. When is this play set?

5. What role does the discussion between Odysseus and Athena, at the beginning of the play, serve?

Short Essay Questions

1. When the Chorus unsuccessfully attempts to calm Ajax, what does Ajax bemoan?

2. What is the purpose of the initial conversation between Odysseus and Athena?

3. What does Ajax pray for before leaving the Chorus onstage?

4. Where, and why, does Tecmessa say that Ajax collapsed?

5. Why does Athena offer to bring Ajax out of his tent?

6. What preparations did Ajax make to the sword so that he can use it to kill himself?

7. How, and why, does Athena protect Odysseus when she brings Ajax out of his tent?

8. Why is Odysseus standing outside of Ajax's tent at the beginning of the play?

9. What does Ajax tell the Chorus he plans to do since Tecmessa has awakened his pity?

10. How does Ajax plan to use the sword to kill himself?

(see the answer keys)

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