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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. For whom is the chorus crying out to return after the death of Agamemnon?

2. How does Agamemnon make his entrance?

3. What is concerning the chorus at the end of Play 1, Part 1?

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

5. What is the function of the herald at the beginning of the second part of the first play?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Aegisthus claim about himself and about the murders?

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

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

5. What is the dispute Agamemnon and Clytemnestra have about his homecoming?

6. What visions does Cassandra see when she looks at the palace?

7. Why did Agamemnon go to Troy?

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

9. Why does Cassandra finally walk into the palace?

10. How does Cassandra describe Apollo and why?

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

What is Cassandra's role in the first play? What is her history with the house of Atreus? Is she the only inherently tragic figure in "The Oresteia"? Cite specific examples from the text to support your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

Is "The Oresteia" inherently misogynistic? Create a strong thesis (it is suggested that this thesis be centered on the characters for the sake of clarity) arguing that "The Oresteia" is or is not misogynistic. Points to consider are the treatment of Clytemnestra by the chorus, the role of Aegisthus, and Apollo's views on parents in the third play.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 962 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample