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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why was Hippolytus trapped upon his horse before his death?
(a) His saddle was sabotaged.
(b) His sword became ensnared with the horse's mane.
(c) He could not dismount.
(d) He fell and became tangled in the reins.

2. At the end of "Thyestes," what does the titular character entrust to the gods?
(a) His fate at sea.
(b) Atreus' punishment.
(c) His life.
(d) The souls of his sons.

3. To whom does Phaedra confide her desire for Hippolytus?
(a) Her daughter.
(b) Hippolytus' nurse.
(c) Hippolytus' sister.
(d) Theseus.

4. How does Atreus protect his sons from sharing the blame for his plot against Thyestes?
(a) Atreus lies to them about his plan.
(b) Atreus pleads with Zeus to keep them ignorant.
(c) Atreus keeps them completely ignorant of the plan.
(d) Atreus sends them away.

5. What does Atreus offer to Thyestes when the latter apologizes for his misdeeds against him?
(a) A wife.
(b) Control of the military.
(c) To name Thyestes' son as his heir.
(d) Forgiveness and half the crown.

6. What creature attacked Hippolytus?
(a) A Fury.
(b) Medusa.
(c) Cerberus.
(d) Neptune's sea bull.

7. Who enters at the end of the second act of "Phaedra"?
(a) Creon.
(b) Hippolytus.
(c) Theseus.
(d) Tiresias.

8. Before his brother's treachery is revealed in the fifth act, what does Thyestes admit to being upset about in regards to his supposed reconciliation to Atreus?
(a) His sons are not there to share the joy.
(b) Their father could not have lived to see them reconcile.
(c) Atreus' sons are not present to meet their uncle.
(d) They could not have reconciled earlier.

9. For what reason does Phaedra dress in a particular manner in the second act?
(a) She is mourning the death of her husband.
(b) She wants to feel what Hippolytus feels when he hunts.
(c) She is trying to remind herself what is good in her marriage.
(d) She wishes to attract Hippolytus' attention.

10. At the end of the second act of "Phaedra," in what does the chorus hope Hippolytus will find comfort?
(a) His prayers to Diana.
(b) His love of the outdoors.
(c) His hunting skills.
(d) His beauty.

11. How does Atreus justify his wicked plans against his brother?
(a) He claims Thyestes raped his wife.
(b) Atreus is free to act because of his brother's actions against him.
(c) Atreus believes he is being commanded by the gods.
(d) Atreus knows his brother is an atheist and will be under no protection.

12. What must Atreus convince Thyestes to accept in the third act of "Thyestes"?
(a) The position of head advisor.
(b) Gold.
(c) Half of the crown.
(d) A wife.

13. In what sort of garb is Phaedra's nurse dressed in the third act?
(a) Mourning garb.
(b) Wedding dress.
(c) Hunting garb.
(d) Priestess robes.

14. What parts of Thyestes' sons are presented to Thyestes as a gift?
(a) Their hearts.
(b) Their livers.
(c) Their heads.
(d) Their hands.

15. What fate awaits the children of Thyestes?
(a) Their bodies will be boiled to pieces.
(b) They will be exiled.
(c) They will be buried alive.
(d) Their bodies will be fed to wild animals.

Short Answer Questions

1. What emotion is Thyestes mysteriously experiencing in the beginning of the last act of "Thyestes"?

2. What false offer has Atreus apparently made to Thyestes, according to the third act of "Thyestes"?

3. To whom do Thyestes and Atreus drink a toast in the fifth act of "Thyestes"?

4. What does Hippolytus prefer over social interactions?

5. For what does Theseus pray at the end of the third act of "Phaedra"?

(see the answer keys)

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