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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 Iphigenia asks Orestes and Pylades if they are brothers in Part 3, what does Orestes say in reply?

2. In Part 2 of Iphigenia in Taurus, Iphigenia tells the Chorus that she finds Artemis guilty of what?

3. In Part 2, when Iphigenia speaks to the Chorus about her terrible past, whose lips does she say she would not kiss?

4. Where does Pylades suggest that he and Orestes hide so that they are not captured?

5. Who does Orestes claim "hounds" him "to and fro"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Iphigenia think her dream means?

2. When Iphigenia first finds out that Orestes and Pylades are from her homeland, what plan does she come up with?

3. 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?

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

5. When Orestes is trying to prove to Iphigenia that he is her brother, what story does he claim Iphigenia wove in her loom?

6. Iphigenia talks to the Chorus about her ill fate and how she has had it from the beginning of her existence. She tells the Chorus that she cannot join in the "Argive Hymn to Hera" but that she celebrates rites "unfit for song". What rites is she speaking of and why are they unfit for song?

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

8. When the ship that Orestes, Pylades, and Iphigenia are escaping on begins to be pushed backwards towards land, what do the crew and Iphigenia start to do?

9. 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?

10. Describe how Iphigenia was saved from death.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

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

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?

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