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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. In Thesmophoriazusae, what did Mnesilochus' cousin ask Agathon?

2. What are the fastest ways to go to Hades according to the text?

3. In Thesmophoraizusae, who speaks for the prosecution in the case against Euripides?

4. What are the women preparing for at the beginning of Thesmophoriazusae?

5. What way does Dionysus choose to use to enter Hades?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why are Dionysus and Xanthias visiting Dionysus's half-brother in The Frogs?

2. What society do women in The Assemblywomen plan on instating after voting to put themselves in charge of Athens?

3. In the play The Frogs, where are Dionysus and Xanthias going and how are they greeted when they arrived?

4. What crime does Mnesilochus admit committing as a woman?

5. How do Pisthetaerus and the birds subdue the gods?

6. What is Pisthetaerus' plan for gaining control over earth and heaven?

7. Who becomes king of the birds at the end of The Birds?

8. How are the women's meeting organized in Thesmophoriazusae?

9. Why is Dionysus changing clothes so often in the middle of The Frogs?

10. How do the men react to the Lysistrata's taking over the treasury building?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare Assemblywomen with one of the other plays featuring women, such as Lysistrata. Discuss the similarities and differences in theme, tone and other elements of each of the plays.

Essay Topic 2

Satire is a literary style often used by Aristophanes in his plays, through which he uses humor and criticism to examine the nature of government, society, war and gender roles. In Lysistrata, Aristophanes uses satire to examine several different themes. In a critical essay, examine what themes Aristophanes focuses on and how he uses double entendres to add humor. In your essay, make sure you define both satire and double entendres, as well as use examples from the book to support your discussion.

Essay Topic 3

Plutus, the last known play of Aristophanes, begins to look towards the pattern of New Comedy rather than old comedy. Discuss how Plutus fits into the role of New Comedy based on themes, writing style and other literary elements.

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