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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. In Part 3, when Iphigenia suggests that Orestes deliver a letter to Argos, what does Orestes suggest they change about Iphigenia's plan?

2. When Iphigenia and Orestes are speaking to each other outside the temple in Part 3, who does Orestes tell Iphigenia is no more trustworthy than a fleeting dream?

3. What is the name of the priest that Iphigenia questions Orestes about in Part 3?

4. When the Chorus sees the two young men being led to the temple, who do they speak a brief prayer to?

5. When the Herdsman is telling Iphigenia about the capture of the strangers, he mentions something about their country's custom towards strangers. What is their country's custom towards strangers?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Iphigenia is speaking to Orestes about her plan to send a letter back with either Pylades or himself, why does she tell Orestes that she feels like he must surely be from royal stock?

2. In Part 3, what does Orestes refuse to tell Iphigenia, and why?

3. When Iphigenia tells Orestes what her plan is for sending her letter back, what does Orestes say to her about a change in plans, and why does he want to change Iphigenia's plans?

4. In Part 5 of Iphigenia in Taurus, Iphigenia asks that two different things happen that involve cloaks. What are those two things?

5. In Part 2 of Iphigenia of Taurus, why does Iphigenia claim she is cruel now, and what does she say has made her that way?

6. How does the herdsman tell Iphigenia that he captured the two young strangers?

7. In Part 5 of Iphigenia in Taurus, Iphigenia relates a story to King Thoas concerning the image of Artemis. What does she tell King Thoas about?

8. What is Orestes' mission that Apollo sent him to complete?

9. In Part 5, why does King Thoas agree to not question why Iphigenia will take so long with the purification process?

10. Iphigenia explains in Part 2 that the men in her homeland already know her fate. What do they think has happened to Iphigenia?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the story of Iphigenia in Taurus, Euripides includes a group that is known as the Chorus. The story does not tell us which member of the Chorus is speaking, but just groups them together as one. Who does the Chorus consist of and what significance do the play in the story? Why do you think the Chorus is always grouped together? What benefit to the reader does the Chorus provide? How does the Chorus enhance the story of Iphigenia in Taurus? Explain your answer and provide specific instances from the story to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Athena, the goddess of reason, appears at the end of the play, Iphigenia in Taurus. What significance does she play in the story? Why did Athena step in to help Orestes and Iphigenia? What other appearance does Athena make in the story, besides the ending? Do you think she felt like she had to finally free Orestes because she wasn't able to do it fully at his trial? Why or why not? Explain your reasoning.

Essay Topic 3

Iphigenia in Taurus opens with a prologue that is given by Iphigenia. A prologue is a type of poem to introduce a play. In the story, Iphigenia in Taurus, what is the purpose of the prologue? What type of things are included in Iphigenia's prologue? Of what importance is the prologue in the play? How would the play be different if Orestes opened the play with a prologue of his own? What things do you think he would have included in his prologue?

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