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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. In the last part of "The Eumenides", why does Apollo appear in the court?

2. Where does the action of the third part of "The Libation Bearers" take place?

3. Why does Apollo claim that Clytemnestra needed to be killed?

4. Why is it important that Athena know about Orestes' familial relations?

5. What has Electra been forced to do in the years since her father's death?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How do Orestes and Pylades get inside the palace?

3. What is the conflict between the Furies and Apollo?

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

5. What does Apollo say about the rights of parents during Orestes' trial?

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

7. Why is it important that Orestes tell Athena who his father was when the goddess comes to him?

8. What ends up being the fate of the Furies at the end of the play?

9. How does the chorus know that Aegisthus is being murdered?

10. Why do the Furies claim Orestes' journey to Athens has been useless when they catch up with him in the second part of "The Eumenides"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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