View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Of what does Phaedra's nurse attempt to convince Hippolytus in the second act of "Phaedra"?
(a) He should seek Athena's counsel.
(b) He should become more sociable and try to find love.
(c) He should try to bring his father back from the Underworld.
(d) He should never come back to the city.

2. In what state is Tantalus in the first act of "Thyestes"?
(a) Buried alive.
(b) A ghost.
(c) Near death.
(d) Imprisoned.

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

4. What does Hippolytus prefer over social interactions?
(a) Politics.
(b) The outdoors.
(c) Meaningless relationships.
(d) Battle.

5. What false offer has Atreus apparently made to Thyestes, according to the third act of "Thyestes"?
(a) Thyestes will rule in Atreus' stead.
(b) Atreus will groom young Tantalus to rule the kingdom.
(c) Atreus will have his nephews educated if Thyestes becomes his advisor.
(d) The two brothers will rule the kingdom jointly.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to the chorus in the third act of "Phaedra," what no longer governs mankind?

2. What fate awaits the children of Thyestes?

3. Why does Atreus not fear his subjects' favor?

4. 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?

5. What reason does Atreus give for hating the three boys?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Hippolytus' preferences in life and how he is at odds with other people over it.

2. What is significant about Theseus' return from the underworld in regards to the plot in "Phaedra"?

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

4. For what does Theseus pray at the end of the third act of "Phaedra" and how does the chorus react?

5. Why does Phaedra wear hunting garb in the second act?

6. Describe the murders of Thyestes' sons.

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

8. For what reasons did Atreus murder his nephews?

9. How does Hippolytus die in "Phaedra"?

10. What does Theseus plan to do at the end of "Phaedra" in regards to his dead family and why?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,201 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample