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

2. When is this play set?

3. Who confirms Odysseus' suspicions that Ajax slaughtered a herd of cattle?

4. What is the name of the group of leaders who decides to give Odysseus the things of Achilles that Ajax wanted?

5. What time of day is it at the beginning of the play?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Odysseus believe about burying Ajax?

2. What is the story the messenger tells of Ajax's youth?

3. What does Menelaus threaten Teucer with, if Teucer disobeys?

4. Why does Teucer refuse Odysseus' help with Ajax's burial?

5. What does Teucer think is Hector's revenge?

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

7. What does Tecmessa tell the Chorus the first time she appears, and in what tone does she say it?

8. Why does the Chorus suggest that it is time the Chorus members flee?

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

10. What does Teucer, after seeing Ajax's dead body, say his father will do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is a soliloquy, and what purpose does it serve in a play? What is the purpose of Ajax's soliloquy? Cite examples from the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

What are the different types of honor in the play, and how does honor resolve, or not resolve, all the conflicts at the end of the play? Support your answer with specific examples from the play.

Essay Topic 3

How do Odysseus and Ajax present different qualities of a warrior? What are those qualities, and what do they mean for the actions of the characters? Cite specific examples from the text to support your answer.

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This section contains 681 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample