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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. In what state is Orestes' old nurse, Cilissa, upon hearing that Orestes was murdered?
(a) She is confused.
(b) She is relieved.
(c) She is happy.
(d) She is distraught.

2. What is the result of the judges' vote after the trial?
(a) The vote is in favor of Orestes.
(b) The judges did not vote as they wished to avoid the wrath of the Furies and of the gods.
(c) The vote is divided evenly.
(d) The vote is in favor of the Furies.

3. In the last part of "The Eumenides", why does Apollo appear in the court?
(a) He is there to keep the Furies under control.
(b) He is there to protect Orestes during the trial.
(c) He is there to testify against Orestes.
(d) He is there to testify in Orestes' favor.

4. What will be the first action taken when Orestes and Pylades infiltrate the palace?
(a) Electra will be guided to safety.
(b) Aegisthus will be killed.
(c) Cilissa will be alerted.
(d) Clytemnestra will be killed.

5. Where was Orestes when he was told to avenge his father?
(a) Ithaca.
(b) Athens.
(c) The oracle at Delphi.
(d) Sparta.

Short Answer Questions

1. What false news does the disguised Orestes give Clytemnestra?

2. Why does Orestes wish to return to the oracle at the end of "The Libation Bearers"?

3. What do the Furies complain about when Athena leaves in the second part of the third play?

4. According to the chorus, to what did Clytemnestra give birth in her dream?

5. What do the Furies turn into at Athena's behest at the very end of The Oresteia?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to their words in the second part of the third play, what do the Furies believe about their rights?

2. Why does Orestes decide to go back to the oracle?

3. Who is revealed to be encouraging the Furies to hunt Orestes and why?

4. What is the conflict between the Furies and Apollo?

5. What does Athena decide to do about judging the case between Orestes and the Furies?

6. How does Orestes defend himself in his trial?

7. In the beginning of "The Eumenides", what is the oracle's vision and what does it mean?

8. What does Orestes find ironic about the deaths of Aegisthus and Clytemnestra?

9. How does Clytemnestra attempt to defend herself against Orestes in the last part of "The Libation Bearers"?

10. What ends up being the fate of the Furies at the end of the play?

(see the answer keys)

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