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

2. What does the herald ask of the gods?

3. Why does Cassandra walk into the palace?

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

5. What does Clytemnestra try to get Cassandra to do in the fourth part of "The Agamemnon"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Aegisthus threaten the chorus?

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

3. Why does the chorus call out for Orestes to return home at the end of the first play?

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

5. What are Agamemnon's feelings about Troy?

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

7. How does Clytemnestra describe her life to her husband during Agamemnon's absence?

8. What news does Clytemnestra bring the chorus in the beginning of "The Agamemnon"?

9. What feelings does the Watchman have while on the roof in the beginning of the play?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the reactions of Clytemnestra and Cilissa when they receive false news of Orestes' "death." Consider, then, the words of Apollo in the third play about the roles of the mother and the father in a child's life. What is the play saying about the nature of maternal love? Create a strong thesis and use specific examples from the text to support your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

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 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)

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