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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. To whom does Phaedra confide her desire for Hippolytus?
(a) Hippolytus' nurse.
(b) Hippolytus' sister.
(c) Her daughter.
(d) Theseus.

3. How does Hippolytus die?
(a) He is dragged to death on the rocks.
(b) He is thrown from a cliff.
(c) He is dragged into the sea by Neptune's creature.
(d) He is stabbed by his own sword.

4. Over what is Tantalus anguishing in the beginning of "Thyestes"?
(a) The Greek's plot against his sons.
(b) The death of his wife.
(c) The sins of his sons.
(d) His suicide.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. To whom do Thyestes and Atreus drink a toast in the fifth act of "Thyestes"?

2. In the preface of "Phaedra," what is Hippolytus organizing?

3. Which of the following is not one of Thyestes' sons?

4. What does the nurse show Theseus when he demands to know why Phaedra is determined to die in the third act?

5. What is Phaedra doing in the beginning of the fifth act?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Atreus claim about Thyestes' grief at the end of "Thyestes"?

2. Describe the backstory to "Phaedra."

3. What plot does Atreus form against his brother and why?

4. What happens when Phaedra reveals to Hippolytus her attraction for him?

5. What is the chorus at the end of the first act of "Phaedra" singing about and how does it relate to the action of the play?

6. Discuss the character of Atreus.

7. Describe Theseus' conflicting emotions over the death of his son and upon learning of his wife's deception.

8. What does Atreus offer his brother during their false reconciliation and how does Thyestes react to the gifts?

9. How is Tantalus manipulated into releasing the Fury upon the House of Pelops?

10. For what reasons did Atreus murder his nephews?

(see the answer keys)

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