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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. For what does the leader of the chorus praise Agamemnon upon his return?
(a) His continued piety to the gods.
(b) His captive, Cassandra.
(c) Victory with Troy.
(d) His continued fealty to his people.

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 send Agamemmon good winds for his journey.
(c) He asks that they continue to bless Agamemnon on his return home.
(d) He asks that they bless Clytemnestra and her family.

4. What is Aegisthus's relationship to Clytemnestra as demonstrated at the end of "The Agamemnon"?
(a) He is her son.
(b) He is her brother.
(c) He is her lover.
(d) He is her father.

5. According to Aegisthus, what actually brought about Agamemnon's death?
(a) Agamemnon's disregard for others.
(b) The will of the gods.
(c) Clytemnestra's vengeance.
(d) The actions of Agamemnon and his father.

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

7. In the first part of the first play, what signal is the man on the roof looking for?
(a) A moonbeam.
(b) A bonfire.
(c) An arrow.
(d) A ship.

8. Why is the herald so joyful?
(a) He is home in Mycenae.
(b) The gods have spoken to him.
(c) Clytemnestra favors him.
(d) He is gotten married.

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

10. What is Cassandra's last vision in "The Agamemnon"?
(a) Someone will return to Mycenae and right all the wrongs.
(b) She will ascend to Mount Olympus.
(c) She will overpower her would-be murderer.
(d) Agamemnon will die.

11. What does Clytemnestra remind the chorus to do after Aegisthus's outburst?
(a) Make offerings for Agamemnon's soul.
(b) Keep to their place.
(c) Never tell anyone what they witnessed.
(d) Pray to the gods.

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

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

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

15. Who comprises the group of women at Agamemnon's tomb?
(a) Female Trojans whom Agamemnon took prisoner.
(b) Priestesses of Apollo.
(c) Family servants who have been with them for years.
(d) Amazons.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What, according to the herald, is worth the suffering of the soldiers?

3. For whom is the chorus crying out to return after the death of Agamemnon?

4. About whom does the chorus ask the herald for news?

5. What advice does Electra ask of the chorus while at her father's tomb?

(see the answer keys)

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