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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In the second act of "Thyestes," how does Atreus plan to wreak vengeance against his brother?
(a) Thyestes will be burned alive.
(b) Thyestes will be blinded.
(c) Thyestes will be tricked into eating his own children.
(d) Thyestes will be dragged to death by his horses.

2. What is Thyestes doing at the end of the fourth act?
(a) Preparing to kill his brother.
(b) Praying to Zeus.
(c) Eating the feast from his brother.
(d) Receiving counsel from the ghost of his father.

3. What emotion is Thyestes mysteriously experiencing in the beginning of the last act of "Thyestes"?
(a) Grief.
(b) Triumph.
(c) Anger.
(d) Happiness.

4. How does Phaedra die?
(a) Theseus kills her.
(b) Neptune's sea bull throws her in the sea.
(c) She dies from grief.
(d) She commits suicide.

5. When Hippolytus rebuffs Phaedra, how does she react?
(a) She prays for forgiveness.
(b) She slanders him.
(c) She flees the city.
(d) She attempts suicide.

6. How does Thyestes feel about his impending meeting with his brother?
(a) Fearful.
(b) Neutral.
(c) Annoyed.
(d) Joyful.

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

8. What does Phaedra wear in the second act?
(a) Hippolytus' armor.
(b) Mourning clothes.
(c) A wedding dress.
(d) Hunting garb.

9. What is the station of Theseus' first wife?
(a) Queen of the Amazons.
(b) Queen of Thebes.
(c) Queen of Sparta.
(d) Princess of Troy.

10. Who accompanies Atreus at his bidding when he goes to make a sacrifice to the gods at the end of the third act of "Thyestes"?
(a) Thyestes' wife.
(b) Thyestes' sons.
(c) Thyestes.
(d) Atreus' sons.

11. About what act is Theseus manipulated into believing occurred in his absence during the third act of "Phaedra"?
(a) Phaedra had a miscarriage.
(b) Hippolytus violently beat Phaedra for insolence.
(c) Hippolytus raped Phaedra.
(d) Phaedra has attempted suicide.

12. What false offer has Atreus apparently made to Thyestes, according to the third act of "Thyestes"?
(a) Atreus will groom young Tantalus to rule the kingdom.
(b) The two brothers will rule the kingdom jointly.
(c) Thyestes will rule in Atreus' stead.
(d) Atreus will have his nephews educated if Thyestes becomes his advisor.

13. 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 hunting skills.
(c) His beauty.
(d) His love of the outdoors.

14. To where is Thyestes traveling in the third act?
(a) Corinth.
(b) Thebes.
(c) Argos.
(d) Troy.

15. How does Atreus plan to lure Thyestes to his castle?
(a) He has sent word to Thyestes that he wants to abdicate the throne.
(b) He has sent word to Thyestes that he wants to groom his oldest nephew to be his heir.
(c) He has sent word to Thyestes that he is dying.
(d) He has sent word to Thyestes, falsely begging for a reconciliation.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why was Hippolytus trapped upon his horse before his death?

2. What creature attacked Hippolytus?

3. In the first act of "Thyestes," why does Tantalus initially refuse to unleash chaos?

4. What reason does Atreus give for hating the three boys?

5. Why does Atreus not fear his subjects' favor?

(see the answer keys)

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