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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. After receiving news of the fall of Troy, which Trojan does the chorus agree got what he deserved?
(a) Ajax.
(b) Paris.
(c) Hector.
(d) Aeneas.

2. How do the women describe Clytemnestra in their first appearance in "The Libation Bearers"?
(a) Wise.
(b) God-abandoned.
(c) Loving.
(d) Thrice-cursed.

3. What does the herald ask of the gods?
(a) He asks that they send a sign for whether he should leave the city.
(b) He asks that they bless Clytemnestra and her family.
(c) He asks that they send Agamemmon good winds for his journey.
(d) He asks that they continue to bless Agamemnon on his return home.

4. What does Agamemnon think about this particular welcome home?
(a) He does not want his people to think worse of him for being surrounded by indulgence.
(b) He wants his concubine to be impressed.
(c) He is very happy with it.
(d) He does not want his people to think poorly of him for not having a grand entrance.

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

6. For which family member's sake did Agamemnon go to Troy?
(a) Menelaus.
(b) Hector.
(c) Priam.
(d) Paris.

7. What goddess demanded Iphigenia in sacrifice?
(a) Athena.
(b) Demeter.
(c) Artemis.
(d) Hera.

8. What does Electra find when she wonders aloud if her brother has returned?
(a) A campfire.
(b) Orestes and Pylades' footprints.
(c) Offerings to the gods.
(d) Pylades' pack.

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

10. What future events does Cassandra foresee after she sees the past?
(a) She sees herself escaping the city.
(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 as queen of Mycenae.

11. What city does Clytemnestra describe as being ruined, burned, and full of mourning for the dead?
(a) Athens.
(b) Delphi.
(c) Mycenae.
(d) Troy.

12. According to the chorus, what is the only thing Electra can pray for while at Agamemnon's grave?
(a) The return of her family.
(b) Her mother's salvation.
(c) Her own freedom.
(d) The death of her father's murderers.

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

14. For what does Clytemnestra particularly take offense with the chorus while reveling in her triumph?
(a) The chorus condemns her murder of Agamemnon, but not his murder of their daughter.
(b) The chorus did not beg her for her forgiveness.
(c) The chorus sympathized with Cassandra.
(d) The chorus did not ask the gods to bless her.

15. To Aegisthus's consternation, of what does the chorus remind him?
(a) He was not fit to be a soldier.
(b) He is not of royal blood.
(c) Clytemnestra did all the work in murdering Agamemnon.
(d) He is half the man that Agamemnon was.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Clytemnestra's message to the herald, how has she kept her husband's house?

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

3. What does Clytemnestra claim about her life since Agamemnon left for war?

4. What do the female attendants lay on the ground for Agamemnon to walk upon?

5. Towards the end of the first play, what does the chorus tell Clytemnestra they refuse to do?

(see the answer keys)

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