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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. What does the herald believe about Agamemnon's brother?
(a) He perished at sea.
(b) He is still alive.
(c) He is wandering the earth for all eternity.
(d) His soul is restless.

3. In which city does "The Oresteia" begin?
(a) Athens.
(b) Troy.
(c) Mycenae.
(d) Delphi.

4. According to Clytemnestra, what did she watch for while Agamemnon was gone?
(a) She kept watch for any word of her husband.
(b) She watched the moon to see if the gods would tell her anything through it.
(c) She watched the horizon every day for his ship.
(d) She watched for any sign from the gods.

5. 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 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 is very happy with it.

Short Answer Questions

1. For what does Clytemnestra triumphantly reproach the chorus in the fifth part of "The Agamemnon"?

2. Whom does Orestes wonder might be leading the crowd of women coming to Agamemnon's tomb?

3. What god does the leader of the chorus praise for Agamemnon's victory?

4. According to the chorus in the second part of the first play, what will always prevail?

5. What reasoning did Clytemnestra give for exiling a certain person before the events of "The Agamemnon"?

Short Essay Questions

1. For what is Agamemnon praised and what is his response when he returns to Mycenae?

2. What is Clytemnestra's vision for the future after the death of Agamemnon?

3. To what does the chorus compare Troy and why?

4. What happened to Menelaus, according to the herald?

5. How does the chorus compare life to a ship at sea during "The Agamemnon"?

6. How does Cassandra describe Apollo and why?

7. What do the chorus of women comment upon while bewailing their grief over Agamemnon?

8. What dispute does Clytemnestra have with the chorus over the consequences of her murdering Agamemnon and Cassandra?

9. What message does Clytemnestra send with the herald to Agamemnon?

10. For what is the herald giving thanks during his entrance?

(see the answer keys)

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