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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. Who does Iphigenia think her dream is about in Part 1?

2. What does Orestes suggest that he and Pylades do, to which Pylades replies, "out of the question- we're not used to it"?

3. In Part 3 of Iphigenia in Taurus, who is Orestes speaking of when he says, " her blood was the unjust ransom for a worthless wife"?

4. Why does Iphigenia feel like the rites she celebrates are unfit for song?

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. In Part 6, even though Iphigenia has left Artemis' temple, she prays to Artemis and asks for her protection and help. Why does Iphigenia feel like Artemis will still understand her and listen to her heartfelt prayers?

2. In the beginning of Part 2, who has just exited the scene, who enters the scene, and from where do they enter?

3. In Part 6 of Iphigenia in Taurus, the messenger tells the King about the escape of Orestes, Pylades, and Iphigenia. After the messenger tells the King about the escape, he tells the King that he'll be even more surprised by what other news he has tell him. What is the other news that will surprise the King even more?

4. Describe the dream that Iphigenia has.

5. In Part 5 of Iphigenia in Taurus, who is the first person to enter the scene and what are they concerned with?

6. What happened to the messenger and guards when they tried to hold fast to Iphigenia and prevent Orestes from taking her onto his ship?

7. In Part 6 of Iphigenia in Taurus, why does the messenger not leave when the Chorus tells him that the King is not there at the temple?

8. 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?

9. When Iphigenia enters the scene in Part 5 of Iphigenia in Taurus, what reaction does the king have and why?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the play, Iphigenia in Taurus, there is a parallel drawn between Orestes and Iphigenia being brother and sister and Artemis and Apollo being brother and sister. The play consists of examples of love being shown between each set of brother and sister. What is a parallel and why do you think Euripides included this particular parallel in the story? Do you think either Artemis or Apollo was more sympathetic towards Orestes or Iphigenia because they had a similar relationship? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

During the play, Iphigenia in Taurus, Orestes is hounded by the Furies and he is driven into a mad-like state by their tauntings. How is the appearance of the Furies in the play similar to someone having a conscience? What things do they make Orestes feel? How is this similar to someone that has something bad on their conscience? Even though Orestes feels like what he did to his mother is right, do you still think he feels guilty anyway? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

In Part 2 of Iphigenia in Taurus, Iphigenia comments on how humanity uses the gods for an excuse. What excuse does she say the gods are used for? The answer to this question is revolutionary to Greek plays because it actually gives the humans blame for being savages and not saying that it was a god's demand. Why do you think this was a revolutionary idea? Has does this same idea exist today? What type of things happen in the play that are examples of this revolutionary idea? Cite specific examples from the play to support your ideas.

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