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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How are the Greeks dividing the captive Trojan women among themselves?
(a) They are having a competition.
(b) They are taking the wives of the Trojans they have personally killed.
(c) They are drawing lots.
(d) They are letting the gods decide.

2. Who is Creon?
(a) Laius' brother.
(b) Oedipus' brother.
(c) Tiresias' brother.
(d) Jocasta's brother.

3. For whom do Hecuba and the chorus lament, though they say nothing will ever adequately express their loss?
(a) Achilles.
(b) Priam.
(c) Paris.
(d) Hector.

4. From where does the messenger in the fourth act come in "Oedipus"?
(a) Sparta.
(b) Troy.
(c) Thebes.
(d) Corinth.

5. Whom does Oedipus defeat before the start of the play?
(a) The Sphinx.
(b) The Furies.
(c) The Sirens.
(d) Medusa.

6. Why can Ulysses not spare Astyanax?
(a) Ulysses will be killed by Agamemnon if he does not comply with orders.
(b) Astyanax can rightfully claim to be an heir to the Spartan throne.
(c) Calchas demands the sacrifice.
(d) Astyanax needs to join his father in the afterlife.

7. Who is Oedipus' father in Corinth?
(a) King Menelaus.
(b) King Priam.
(c) King Atreus.
(d) King Polybus.

8. What news does the messenger give Oedipus in the fourth act?
(a) Zeus has ended the plague.
(b) Tiresias is a fake.
(c) Polybus has died.
(d) Creon has seized control of Corinth.

9. Why is Oedipus fearful of returning to his homeland?
(a) He is still afraid of the prophecy.
(b) He does not want to abandon Thebes.
(c) He does not want to be a king.
(d) He does not wish to leave his wife.

10. 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 must flee the plague.
(d) Oedipus is about to be betrayed.

11. What has happened to the Trojan widows after their army was defeated?
(a) The women took up arms to defend themselves.
(b) The women have all been prepared for suicide.
(c) The women have all been claimed by the Greeks.
(d) The women escaped the city.

12. Why is Andromache jealous of Polyxena?
(a) Polyxena has accepted her fate.
(b) Polyxena has been blessed by Zeus.
(c) Polyxena will die on her native soil.
(d) Polyxena will be treated as a princess in her marriage.

13. What happened when Polyxena was sacrificed in honor of Achilles?
(a) The tomb soaked up her blood.
(b) Her body was taken away by Apollo.
(c) The gods cried out that she would be avenged.
(d) The land went silent.

14. What course of action does Tiresias propose he take in order to help avenge the king's murder?
(a) He will go to the Oracle himself.
(b) He will sacrifice himself to the gods for the end of the plague.
(c) He will summon the king's ghost.
(d) He will pray to Zeus for guidance.

15. What does Oedipus wish upon the murderer of Jocasta's late husband?
(a) His prophecy from Apollo.
(b) Torment from Hades.
(c) Death.
(d) Subjection to an angry mob of Laius' subjects.

Short Answer Questions

1. How did Astyanax defy the Greeks at his death?

2. Where does Oedipus send Creon?

3. What does Oedipus believe about the news from Creon from the ghost?

4. What does Hecuba tell the chorus they must not do in regards to Priam?

5. About what does Hector warn Andromache in a dream?

(see the answer keys)

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