View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Clytemnestra's final reaction to Cassandra?

2. What was Paris's actual deed that set off the Trojan War?

3. What does Clytemnestra remind the chorus to do after Aegisthus's outburst?

4. According to the chorus of women, what will atone for the murder of Agamemnon?

5. In which city does "The Oresteia" begin?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the disputes amongst the chorus when they hear Agamemnon screaming from inside the palace?

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

3. How did Agamemnon make the winds blow so that they might sail to Troy before the events of the play?

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

5. What are the herald's thoughts on the effects of the war?

6. What is significant about Agamemnon walking into his palace barefoot?

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

8. Why is Orestes praying to Hermes and Zeus at beginning of "The Libation Bearers"?

9. What is the continuing theme among the chorus as to what happened to Troy and why?

10. What are Agamemnon's feelings about Troy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In "The Oresteia", what is the relationship between the gods and men? Consider how Apollo and Athena interact with the mortals versus the way the Furies act. How do the humans pray to the gods? How do the gods feel about the humans and vice versa? Cite specific examples from the text to support your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the use of dramatic irony within "The Oresteia". What characters seem to be the victims of this? Why can these characters never truly fulfill their goals? City specific examples from the text to support your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

The language of "The Oresteia" alternates between being simple dialogue and poetically complicated. Discuss the use of language in the following format:

Part 1) The chorus invoking the gods.

Part 2) The simple exchanges of dialogue.

Part 3) The stylized speeches of Cassandra and the Furies.

Cite specific examples from the text.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 874 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample