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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. When the Herdsman is telling Iphigenia about the capture of the strangers, he tells her that one of the strangers drew his sword. What did the stranger do with his sword?

2. What two things does the Herdsman tell Iphigenia to get ready for the young men to be sacrificed?

3. In Part 2, when Iphigenia is speaking of her past, what does she tell the Chorus she doesn't believe any god is?

4. In the beginning of Part 3 of Iphigenia in Taurus, what does Iphigenia claim is her first care?

5. In Part 1 of Iphigenia in Taurus, Orestes states that people claim that something fell from the sky into the temple. What was this item that fell from the sky?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Part 3, after the guards have entered the temple and Iphigenia is alone with the two young strangers, what does she begin asking them about?

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

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

4. When Orestes is speaking to Pylades about the plan for Pylades to take the letter back for Iphigenia, how does Pylades respond?

5. What does Iphigenia promise she will do after Orestes has been sacrificed?

6. 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?

7. 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?

8. What final proof does Orestes provide Iphigenia with to let her know that he is indeed her brother?

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

10. Who gave birth to Artemis and Apollo and what did she do after their birth?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the play, Iphigenia in Taurus, it begins by Iphigenia telling of a dream she had about what she perceives as the death of her brother, Orestes. How does the realization that she might be the last person from her family affect Iphagenia's attitude? What change does Iphigenia's demeanor seem to take after she has learned that her brother, Orestes, might be dead? If Orestes was indeed dead in the story, how do you think Iphigenia's attitude would have continued to change during the duration of the story?

Essay Topic 2

In most Greek tragedies there are serious instances of death or sorrow, but in Euripides' play there is a little softer side of a Greek tragedy. Why do you think Euripides softened the tragedy of his play compared to other writers of his time? Why do you think Euripides introduced a strong female central character, which is another rare occurrence in Greek mythology and plays? Did you like the fact that the play came to a happy resolution after Iphigenia had gone through so much ill-fate and sorrow throughout her life? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

In the play, Iphigenia in Taurus, King Thoas is used as a type of comic relief. What evidence from the play supports this idea? Why do you think King Thoas was so trusting of Iphigenia? What gave Iphigenia the courage to lie to King Thoas and do you think she felt any type of remorse doing so? What ideas in the play help develop King Thoas' character? What do you think are some of King Thoas' weaknesses? Use specific examples from the play to support your ideas.

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