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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In the fourth act of "Oedipus," what does the titular character recall before his arrival in the city?
(a) He nearly died on his journey to the city.
(b) He killed a man on his way there.
(c) He was warned away from Thebes by Zeus.
(d) He was arrested.

2. Who kills Polyxena?
(a) Ulysses.
(b) Agamemnon.
(c) Menelaus.
(d) Pyrrhus.

3. What is Talthybius' station among the Greeks?
(a) Prophet.
(b) Weaponsmith.
(c) Priest.
(d) Herald.

4. Why does the messenger in the fourth act urge Oedipus to leave the city?
(a) Oedipus must take Polybus' throne.
(b) Oedipus is the reason for the plague.
(c) Oedipus is about to be betrayed.
(d) Oedipus must flee the plague.

5. Why is Pyrrhus angry at Agamemnon?
(a) Agamemnon refuses to accept responsibility for Achilles' death.
(b) Agamemnon has not sacrificed a maiden in honor Achilles.
(c) Agamemnon refuses to take the Trojan women captive.
(d) Agamemnon refuses to acknowledge Pyrrhus as a warrior.

6. According to Pyrrhus, who was most afraid of Achilles?
(a) Priam.
(b) Agamemnon.
(c) Paris.
(d) Hector.

7. According to Hecuba, what also died on the same day as her warrior son?
(a) Troy.
(b) Hope.
(c) Priam's resolve to win the war.
(d) Her heart.

8. According to Calchas, why must Polyxena and Astyanax die?
(a) Their deaths will ensure a safe voyage home for the Greeks.
(b) They have the plague.
(c) They pose too much of a threat to the Greeks.
(d) Apollo demands that they die or he will kill the Greeks.

9. What does Hecuba tell the chorus they must not do in regards to Priam?
(a) Remember him as frail.
(b) Betray his memory.
(c) Pity him.
(d) Speak unkindly against him.

10. What is revealed about Troy in the background of "Troades"?
(a) Troy is blessed by Zeus himself.
(b) Troy has been cursed.
(c) Troy is the mightiest city-state in the world.
(d) Troy has fallen to the Spartans.

11. What does the messenger reveal that Oedipus refuses to do in the fifth act?
(a) Tell Jocasta the truth about their relationship.
(b) Flee Thebes.
(c) Free the imprisoned Creon.
(d) Commit suicide.

12. What is significant about Hecuba's exit at the end of the play?
(a) It infers that she is going to murder Ulysses.
(b) It infers that the gods have taken her away with them.
(c) It infers that she will be staying in Troy.
(d) It infers that she has committed suicide.

13. What actions did the old shepherd perform before the beginning of "Oedipus"?
(a) He cursed Oedipus with the prophecy.
(b) He took Oedipus as a baby to the Corinthian messenger.
(c) He killed Laius.
(d) He blessed Oedipus upon his birth.

14. How does Jocasta kill herself?
(a) Fire.
(b) Oedipus' sword.
(c) She hangs herself.
(d) She throws herself out of a tower.

15. What is significant about Polyxena being given a quick death?
(a) She committed suicide.
(b) Agamemnon defied the demands of the sacrifice for Achilles by not killing her slowly.
(c) The gods were merciful.
(d) It shows the Greeks respected her courage.

Short Answer Questions

1. What news does the messenger give Oedipus in the fourth act?

2. What does Oedipus believe about himself in the fifth act?

3. Who is Creon?

4. Where does Andromache hide her son?

5. According to Talthybius, what did a prophet witness that suggests the sea mourns for Achilles?

(see the answer keys)

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