View a FREE sample

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 of Iphigenia in Taurus, Iphigenia offers to spare Orestes' life if he will do what?

2. When Iphigenia is speaking to the Chorus in Part 2, where does she tell the Chorus she "yearns toward"?

3. In the beginning of Part 3, who tells Iphigenia that they need no tears from her?

4. Who enters as Iphigenia is speaking to the Chorus?

5. When Iphigenia speaks to the Chorus, why is she in mourning?

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. When Iphigenia is telling about her sorrow, what does she say she can't do for her brother, Orestes?

3. In Part 4 of Iphigenia in Taurus, why does Orestes ask Pylades where they are and wonders if they are in a dream?

4. When Iphigenia asks Orestes about Agamemnon, why does Orestes avoid the questioning?

5. In Part 5 of Iphigenia in Taurus, King Thoas asks Iphigenia what they should do with the two young men. Why does King Thoas ask Iphigenia this, and what is Iphigenia's reply?

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

7. When the messenger enters the scene in Part 6 of Iphigenia in Taurus, he ignores the Chorus and eagerly seeks out King Thoas. Why does he do this?

8. In Part 4, when Iphigenia is telling Pylades the contents of her letter, why does Pylades tell Iphigenia that she has bound him with an easy oath?

9. What do Orestes and Pylades finally decide to do after they have spoken of how to get into the temple?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The play, Iphigenia in Taurus, takes place during the space of only a day. Even though the story takes place during only one day, do you feel like the characters and setting were established enough to interest you as a reader? If so, how were the characters developed enough to interest and involve you as a reader? Why do you think Euripides chose to only have the story take place during such a short time period? Is time at all important in the play, or does the time frame really not affect the outcome of the story? Explain your answers by using examples from the play.

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the story of Iphigenia in Taurus there is a theme of family. We can see Iphigenia's love for her family through her sorrow, pain, and joy. What moments in the story bring Iphigenia sorrow, pain, and misery concerning her family? What parts in the story bring Iphigenia joy concerning her family? Use specific examples from the story to support your answers. Why do you think family is so important to Iphigenia? Do you think the love of her family has grown more because of her absence? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 3

During the play, Iphigenia in Taurus, both Orestes and Iphigenia speak about how human beings should live their lives according to their free will and not depend on the Gods to decide all their doings. What actions does Iphigenia take to make this wish a reality? What actions does Orestes take to make this a reality as well? Do you think either Orestes or Iphigenia depend on any of the gods for any specific reasons? If yes, what do you think they are? If no, why don't you think they depend on the gods for anything? Use specific material from the play to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,099 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample