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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 Orestes cries to Phoebus, who does he claim he has killed?

2. What happens to the person that Iphigenia sees in her dream?

3. What does Orestes call Iphigenia throughout Part 3?

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

5. When Iphigenia is speaking with Orestes outside the temple, she mentions a particular name that is in the world's mouth. What name is that?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Describe how Iphigenia was saved from death.

3. When Iphigenia enters from the central door of the temple in the beginning of Part 2, why does she say she is sunk in "bitter tears and deep distress"?

4. 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?

5. 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?

6. In Part 5 of Iphigenia in Taurus, what reason does Iphigenia give for binding the stranger's arms with cords?

7. What plan does Iphigenia devise to make sure her message gets to its destination if the letter is lost or taken?

8. 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?

9. 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?

10. What does Iphigenia think her dream means?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 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

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?

(see the answer keys)

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