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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In her first appearance, Clytemnestra claims the chorus does not believe her. On what grounds does she base this claim?
(a) She is not faithful to her husband.
(b) She is an inexperienced queen.
(c) She is a woman.
(d) She is not a holy woman.

2. Why does Cassandra walk into the palace?
(a) She has nothing else to do.
(b) She refuses to run from her fate.
(c) She hears Clytemnestra calling for help.
(d) She hears Agamemnon calling for her.

3. What does Clytemnestra try to get Cassandra to do in the fourth part of "The Agamemnon"?
(a) Leave the city.
(b) Enter the palace.
(c) Greet her properly.
(d) Drink some wine.

4. What does Electra find on her father's tomb?
(a) A lock of Orestes' hair.
(b) Orestes' sword.
(c) Letters she wrote to her brother.
(d) A book of verse.

5. How is Aegisthus related to the house of Atreus?
(a) He is the nephew of Atreus.
(b) He is the son of Atreus.
(c) He is the husband of Atreus's daughter.
(d) He is the cousin of Atreus.

6. According to the chorus in the second part of the first play, what will always prevail?
(a) Vengeance.
(b) Loyalty.
(c) Love.
(d) Justice.

7. To whom does Electra pray while at Agamemnon's tomb?
(a) Hades.
(b) Apollo.
(c) Hermes.
(d) Zeus.

8. What reasoning did Clytemnestra give for exiling a certain person before the events of "The Agamemnon"?
(a) She was afraid that gods would smite her son.
(b) She was afraid her daughter might tempt her lover.
(c) She wanted him out of the way of her lover's ascension.
(d) She wanted to keep her son safe from Trojan assassins.

9. What does somber information does the chorus remind the herald of?
(a) People in Mycenae have been grieving for their loved ones at war.
(b) Clytemnestra has been unfaithful to her husband.
(c) Agamemnon does not wish to come home.
(d) There are no princes and princesses left in the city.

10. What god does the leader of the chorus praise for Agamemnon's victory?
(a) Apollo.
(b) Hera.
(c) Athena.
(d) Zeus.

11. How does Agamemnon make his entrance?
(a) In a horse-cart.
(b) On foot.
(c) On horse back.
(d) In a chariot.

12. In the first part of the first play, what does the chorus say of Agamemnon's fate?
(a) His fate is open.
(b) His is preordained.
(c) The chorus says nothing about his fate.
(d) His fate will be to live a long life.

13. For what does the herald thank the gods?
(a) He thanks them for blessing him and the army.
(b) He thanks them for speaking to him.
(c) He thanks them for sending him his wife.
(d) He thanks them for having such a benevolent queen.

14. What is Cassandra's final prayer?
(a) Her death will be avenged.
(b) She will be remembered.
(c) Apollo will forgive her.
(d) Athena will protect her.

15. For what does Clytemnestra scold the chorus in the second part of the first play?
(a) Not listening to the herald.
(b) Not believing her.
(c) Not respecting Agamemnon.
(d) Not offering proper prayers to the gods.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who accompanies Orestes to Agamemnon's tomb in the beginning of the second play?

2. What is Aegisthus's relationship to Clytemnestra as demonstrated at the end of "The Agamemnon"?

3. What woman is accompanying Agamemnon on his return to Mycenae?

4. What news does Clytemnestra initially bring the chorus?

5. According to Aegisthus, what actually brought about Agamemnon's death?

(see the answer keys)

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