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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who accompanies Orestes to Agamemnon's tomb in the beginning of the second play?
(a) Pylades.
(b) Menelaus.
(c) An oracle.
(d) Odysseus.

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

3. What does Cassandra remove from her person in the fourth part of the first play?
(a) Her long hair.
(b) The chains Agamemnon put around her.
(c) The crest of her family.
(d) Her royal jewelry.

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

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

6. To whom does Orestes pray while at his father's tomb?
(a) Hera and Demeter.
(b) Hermes and Zeus.
(c) Athena and Apollo.
(d) Aphrodite and Diana.

7. What does part of the chorus suggest to Clytemnestra about her actions when they confront her?
(a) She has ended the curse.
(b) She has begun another curse.
(c) She is merely continuing the curse.
(d) She has awakened the Furies.

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

9. What message does Clytemnestra send to Agamemnon through the herald?
(a) She has been loyal and faithful.
(b) She does not wish to see him.
(c) She is pregnant with his child.
(d) She wants to take him to Apollo's temple for blessings.

10. For what does Clytemnestra triumphantly reproach the chorus in the fifth part of "The Agamemnon"?
(a) Underestimating her because of her gender.
(b) Their ignorance about politics.
(c) Their reliance on the gods to intervene.
(d) Their support of Cassandra.

11. What does Clytemnestra wish for herself and her country at the end of the Agamemnon?
(a) She wishes to retire as queen.
(b) She wishes to live peacefully.
(c) She wishes to conquer the next city.
(d) She wishes to have another child to take over for her.

12. What woman is accompanying Agamemnon on his return to Mycenae?
(a) Briseis.
(b) Andromache.
(c) Cassandra.
(d) Phoebe.

13. 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) There are no princes and princesses left in the city.
(c) Clytemnestra has been unfaithful to her husband.
(d) Agamemnon does not wish to come home.

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

15. What does Orestes pray for at the beginning of "The Libation Bearers"?
(a) Success in his plan of revenge for his father's murder.
(b) His success in war.
(c) Safe voyage overseas.
(d) Peace of mind.

Short Answer Questions

1. For which family member's sake did Agamemnon go to Troy?

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

3. What is the function of the herald at the beginning of the second part of the first play?

4. For what does Clytemnestra particularly take offense with the chorus while reveling in her triumph?

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

(see the answer keys)

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