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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 Pylades advise Orestes to do?

2. What do the Eumenides claim about Orestes' travels in the second part of "The Eumenides"?

3. What does Orestes see when he cries out in terror after he has avenged his father's murder?

4. What does Aegisthus claim after his entrance in "The Libation Bearers"?

5. From where has Athena flown when she makes her entrance?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

6. According to what he tells Electra and the chorus, why is Orestes seeking vengeance for his father's death?

7. Why is Clytemnestra's dream significant to Orestes?

8. What was Clytemnestra's dream?

9. How does the chorus influence Cilissa when she enters?

10. What are the Furies and why are they tormenting Orestes at the end of "The Libation Bearers"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What are the roles of justice and revenge in "The Oresteia"? What are the differences between the two? What characters seek justice and what characters seek revenge? How does this reflect upon the play cycle as a whole? Cite specific examples from the text to support your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

Consider the god Apollo. On one hand, he is Orestes' savior, offering his support and guidance of the young man at every turn. On the other hand, Apollo has ruined Cassandra's life, cursing her and allowing Troy to be defeated. Explore the conflicting roles of Apollo and how he has affected the events of "The Oresteia". Cite specific examples from the text.

Essay Topic 3

When the Greek tragedies were first written, the stories and characters were well known to the audiences, which is why "The Oresteia" has a fairly complicated web of plot lines, history, and characters. Luckily, for modern audiences who may not be as familiar with these stories, though, characters, especially the chorus, offer insight and back stories in what is about to take place. Discuss the use of exposition in "The Oresteia". Does it add to or subtract from the content of the play? Is it strictly necessary to be familiar already with these stories? Why? Cite specific examples from the text to support your claims.

(see the answer keys)

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