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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. How does Thyestes feel about his impending meeting with his brother?
(a) Neutral.
(b) Fearful.
(c) Joyful.
(d) Annoyed.

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

3. How does Atreus protect his sons from sharing the blame for his plot against Thyestes?
(a) Atreus sends them away.
(b) Atreus keeps them completely ignorant of the plan.
(c) Atreus pleads with Zeus to keep them ignorant.
(d) Atreus lies to them about his plan.

4. To whom do Thyestes and Atreus drink a toast in the fifth act of "Thyestes"?
(a) Each other.
(b) Tantalus.
(c) The gods.
(d) Pelops.

5. At the end of the third act of "Phaedra," the chorus cries, "Why dost thou dwell afar,/ All too indifferent to men,/ Not anxious to bring blessing to the good,/ And to the evil, bane"? About what is the chorus lamenting?
(a) Phaedra has committed suicide.
(b) Hippolytus has been murdered.
(c) Hippolytus has tried to kill his father.
(d) Phaedra falsely accused Hippolytus of rape.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which character in "Thyestes" is decapitated?

2. What is Phaedra's relationship to Hippolytus?

3. Who is the father of Tantulus?

4. Upon what were Thyestes' sons sacrificed?

5. How does Hippolytus die?

Short Essay Questions

1. Of what does Hippolytus' nurse try to convince Phaedra in the first act?

2. For what reasons did Atreus murder his nephews?

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

4. Describe the murders of Thyestes' sons.

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

6. Describe the backstory to "Phaedra."

7. Discuss the backstory of the House of Pelops.

8. Over what is Tantalus agonizing in the afterlife and why?

9. What do Thyestes and his children believe about their upcoming meeting with Atreus?

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

(see the answer keys)

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