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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to Clytemnestra's message to the herald, how has she kept her husband's house?
(a) Safe and welcoming upon his return.
(b) As well as she could.
(c) She has given it over to someone else for safekeeping.
(d) She has been overwhelmed by the responsibilities of it.

2. What does Clytemnestra assume about Cassandra?
(a) Cassandra does not understand what is being said.
(b) Cassandra is deaf.
(c) Cassandra is not very smart.
(d) Cassandra is being belligerent.

3. After Cassandra enters the castle and their monologue is interrupted, what dispute rises amongst the chorus?
(a) They do not know if Agamemnon or Clytemnestra is the more vicious of the two rulers.
(b) They do not know if Cassandra spoke the truth.
(c) They do not know if there are gods walking among them.
(d) They do not know whether to stop the murder or let it be.

4. To what does the chorus compare life at the end of the third part of the first play?
(a) A child's game.
(b) A sailing ship.
(c) A horse race.
(d) A footrace.

5. In the first part of the first play, according to Clytemnestra, what does Agamemnon have yet to endure?
(a) The journey home.
(b) His reign as king.
(c) Another battle at sea.
(d) The sacrifices to the gods.

6. What does Aegisthus brag about to the chorus?
(a) He claims to have killed Cassandra.
(b) He claims to have killed Agamemnon.
(c) He claims to have bested Apollo in a competition.
(d) He claims to have planned Agamemnon's death.

7. What future events does Cassandra foresee after she sees the past?
(a) She sees herself as queen of Mycenae.
(b) She sees herself ruling Mycenae with Clytemnestra's lover.
(c) She sees the murder of herself and Agamemnon by Clytemnestra.
(d) She sees herself escaping the city.

8. What do the female attendants lay on the ground for Agamemnon to walk upon?
(a) A gold cloth.
(b) A white cloth.
(c) A purple cloth.
(d) A red cloth.

9. What gift did Apollo give Cassandra before the events of The Oresteia?
(a) The ability to speak in tongues.
(b) The ability of persuasion.
(c) Prophecy.
(d) Immortality.

10. How does the chorus feel about Cassandra?
(a) They sympathize with her.
(b) They are in awe of her.
(c) They are dismissive of her.
(d) They are repulsed by her.

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

12. According to Clytemnestra, where are the signals that the man on the roof was watching for?
(a) On ships strewn throughout the oceans.
(b) In trees.
(c) On top of mountains.
(d) In caves.

13. For what does Aegisthus thank the gods in the fifth part of the first play?
(a) Justice.
(b) The chorus.
(c) Clytemnestra.
(d) Their benevolence.

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

15. What does the signal that the man on the roof sees mean?
(a) King Priam is invading.
(b) Menelaus is coming home from the Trojan War.
(c) Agamemnon is coming home from the Trojan War.
(d) Agamemnon has died.

Short Answer Questions

1. What goddess demanded Iphigenia in sacrifice?

2. What does part of the chorus suggest to Clytemnestra about her actions when they confront her?

3. What is Aegisthus's reaction when the chorus brings up Clytemnestra and her role in the murders?

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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