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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

3. According to Hecuba, what was ignored before the fall of Troy?
(a) The death of Hector.
(b) Priam's pleas for surrender.
(c) The demands of the gods.
(d) Her prophesies.

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

5. What does Agamemnon claim as being forbidden, due to shame and honor?
(a) Dishonoring the graves of the fallen Trojans.
(b) Abandoning their dead warriors.
(c) Claiming the Trojan women as concubines.
(d) Sacrificing a maiden for Achilles.

6. How does Oedipus punish himself at the end of the play?
(a) He sacrifices himself to Zeus to end the plague.
(b) He kills himself.
(c) He tears out his eyes.
(d) He cuts off his hands.

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

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

9. For what does Hecuba pray?
(a) Hope.
(b) Death.
(c) Polyxena's soul.
(d) Ulysses' death.

10. Who does Andromache blame for the fall of Troy?
(a) Achilles.
(b) Paris.
(c) Helen.
(d) Agamemnon.

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

12. What is the only reason that Creon reveals the information he gained from Tiresias after summoning the ghost?
(a) If the plague is not ended, his sister will be the next to die.
(b) Oedipus threatens him.
(c) He accidentally told the messenger while Oedipus was within hearing.
(d) Oedipus begs him to help him end the plague.

13. In the second act of "Oedipus," what knowledge does Creon relate that will end the plague?
(a) Oedipus must make a human sacrifice to Hera.
(b) Oedipus must seek out a special herb.
(c) Laius' murder must be avenged.
(d) Jocasta must bear another child.

14. What deception must Helen play on Polyxena?
(a) Helen must lure Polyxena to be sacrificed under guise of a wedding.
(b) Helen is going to switch places with Polyxena to escape her husband.
(c) Helen must suggest Polyxena pray to the wrong god so that she becomes cursed.
(d) Helen must talk Polyxena into committing.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What actions did the old shepherd perform before the beginning of "Oedipus"?

2. Whose priests gave Oedipus the prophecy that he will kill his father and marry his mother?

3. Why does Helen claim she is in a worse position than the Trojan women?

4. For whom do Hecuba and the chorus lament, though they say nothing will ever adequately express their loss?

5. What is Tiresias unable to do in the second act of "Oedipus"?

(see the answer keys)

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