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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In the first act of "Thyestes," why does Tantalus initially refuse to unleash chaos?
(a) He does not wish to be punished by Zeus.
(b) He does not believe in his capabilities to be cruel.
(c) He is not meant to abet punishment on others.
(d) He does not believe they deserve to be punished.

2. In the preface of "Phaedra," what is Hippolytus organizing?
(a) A rebellion.
(b) A hunt.
(c) A battle.
(d) A prayer service.

3. In the first act of "Thyestes," what do the Fury claim to have planned for the wrongdoers?
(a) A strange meal.
(b) A quick death.
(c) A war.
(d) Torment from the animals.

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

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

6. In the fourth act of "Thyestes," who informs the chorus about Atreus murdering his nephews?
(a) Atreus' prefect.
(b) Atreus' minister.
(c) A messenger.
(d) A priest.

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

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

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

10. Of what does Phaedra's nurse attempt to convince Hippolytus in the second act of "Phaedra"?
(a) He should never come back to the city.
(b) He should seek Athena's counsel.
(c) He should become more sociable and try to find love.
(d) He should try to bring his father back from the Underworld.

11. 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, falsely begging for a reconciliation.
(c) He has sent word to Thyestes that he is dying.
(d) He has sent word to Thyestes that he wants to groom his oldest nephew to be his heir.

12. In what state is Tantalus in the first act of "Thyestes"?
(a) Near death.
(b) A ghost.
(c) Buried alive.
(d) Imprisoned.

13. Which of the following is not one of Thyestes' sons?
(a) One son stays unnamed.
(b) Plisthenes.
(c) Agamemnon.
(d) Tantalus.

14. 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) They could not have reconciled earlier.
(b) His sons are not there to share the joy.
(c) Atreus' sons are not present to meet their uncle.
(d) Their father could not have lived to see them reconcile.

15. Although he refuses to grant Phaedra a proper burial, what does Theseus plan to do at the end of the play?
(a) Return to the Underworld to be with his son.
(b) Pray for forgiveness.
(c) Grant the innocent Hippolytus a proper burial.
(d) Find a new wife.

Short Answer Questions

1. What must Atreus convince Thyestes to accept in the third act of "Thyestes"?

2. Upon what did Hippolytus' horses run when escaping the attacking creature?

3. Who did Tantalus serve as a meal to the gods?

4. Whom does Tantalus attempt to warn about their impending deaths?

5. How does Atreus protect his sons from sharing the blame for his plot against Thyestes?

(see the answer keys)

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