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

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What does somber information does the chorus remind the herald of?

3. Whom does Agamemnon tell Clytemnestra to greet and treat well?

4. What does the signal that the man on the roof sees mean?

5. What past events does Cassandra see in a vision?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What are the chorus's opinions on Paris and his actions in the second part of "The Agamemnon"?

3. What is Electra supposed to do at her father's tomb?

4. Why does Aegisthus threaten the chorus?

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

6. Why does Clytemnestra lose patience with Cassandra in the fourth part of "The Agamemnon"?

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

8. What is Cassandra's curse and why was it placed on her?

9. What is the Watchman's duty at the beginning of "The Agamemnon"?

10. What evidence does Electra find that convinces her Orestes has returned to Mycenae?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the following options to write about. Cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

1) Electra as a passive character.

2) The herald's statements about the price of victory in war.

3) The curse on the house of Atreus.

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the following topics to write about:

1) The description of Clytemnestra being "god abandoned."

2) Clytemnestra's relationship with Aegisthus.

3) The use of the Trojan women as the chorus in the second play.

Essay Topic 3

Create a thesis centered around the argument that a good deal of the problems in "The Oresteia" are the results of a generational conflict. Cite specific examples from the text to support your arguments. Points to consider include:

1) The differing approaches to revenge and justice in each generation.

2) The conflict between the elder gods and the younger gods.

3) Athena's peace offering to the Furies at the end of the play.

(see the answer keys)

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