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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Part 4 of Iphigenia in Taurus, who says, "Stop, stranger! Take away your hands!"?

2. In Part 6 of Iphigenia of Taurus, when Thoas asks the messenger how it is possible that Iphigenia is gone and why she is gone, what does the messenger tell him?

3. When the messenger is describing the escape of Orestes and Pylades, he also describes the oars and how they looked like what?

4. When Orestes is telling Pylades to go back home, what does he ask Pylades to do for him?

5. When Iphigenia is speaking to King Thoas, she tells him that the holy image of Artemis shrank backward. What does she tell King Thoas this event reveals to her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Iphigenia in Taurus, we begin by learning of Iphigenia's terrible past and the fact that her own father gave her up for a sacrifice. After we learn of Orestes' and Pylades' capture, we again hear from Iphigenia as she recounts the events of her childhood in more detail. Why do you think Euripides included another telling of Iphigenia's horrible past? Do you think this makes the reader more prone to feel sorry for Iphigenia and want her to succeed in her escape? Why or why not? Do you think a reader would already feel connected enough to Iphigenia after her first telling of her past, or do you think the second instance was really needed to commit readers to compassion for her character?

Essay Topic 2

In the play, Iphigenia in Taurus, there is a parallel drawn between Orestes and Iphigenia being brother and sister and Artemis and Apollo being brother and sister. The play consists of examples of love being shown between each set of brother and sister. What is a parallel and why do you think Euripides included this particular parallel in the story? Do you think either Artemis or Apollo was more sympathetic towards Orestes or Iphigenia because they had a similar relationship? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

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.

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