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. The opening scene in the story Iphigenia in Taurus starts at what landmark?

2. 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?

3. Orestes tells Iphigenia that his body is hers while they are outside the temple, but what does he tell Iphigenia that he won't let her sacrifice?

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

5. While Iphigenia is questioning Orestes in Part 3, Orestes tells Iphigenia that her "informant was correct" about something. What is it?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

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

3. At the end of Part 5 of Iphigenia in Taurus, who follows with the procession and how they go into the temple? Why did those that went into the temple go back into the temple?

4. 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?

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

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

7. 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?

8. How does the herdsman describe Orestes and Pylades to Iphigenia in Part 2 ?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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.

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,089 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample