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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 do the Furies claim about Orestes to Athena?

2. What is heard from inside the palace after Aegisthus enters it?

3. What is the question on the chorus's mind after Orestes flees the palace?

4. What is revealed with Orestes in the fourth part of "The Libation Bearers"?

5. What does Clytemnestra call out for when she hears the noise from inside the palace in the third part of "The Libation Bearers"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Apollo appear to Orestes while at Delphi?

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

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

4. Who is revealed to be encouraging the Furies to hunt Orestes and why?

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

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

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

8. After he is freed at the end of "The Oresteia", what does Orestes claim to want for the future?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Discuss the use of foreshadowing in "The Oresteia". What different forms are used to convey the foreshadowing? How does the heightened language of the play help? How do the chorus and Cassandra's prophecy foreshadow the coming events? Cite specific examples from the text to support your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 950 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample