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

2. Who was murdered before the beginning of "Oedipus"?
(a) King Agamemnon.
(b) King Laius.
(c) King Priam.
(d) King Polybus.

3. About what does a Trojan elder instruct Andromache to lie?
(a) She will claim that she was not Hector's wife.
(b) She will claim Astyanax is hiding in the castle.
(c) She will claim Astyanax was killed when Troy fell.
(d) She will claim that she is protected by Apollo.

4. What is plaguing Thebes?
(a) Pestilence.
(b) Floods.
(c) The Greeks.
(d) Drought.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What is significant about Hecuba's exit at the end of the play?

2. According to Pyrrhus, who was most afraid of Achilles?

3. What does Agamemnon claim as being forbidden, due to shame and honor?

4. What deception must Helen play on Polyxena?

5. What is revealed about Troy in the background of "Troades"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Hector and why is he important to the Trojans and Greeks?

2. Why are the Greeks unable to leave Troy in the beginning of "Troades"?

3. Why do the Greeks cry when they take Astyanax?

4. Why is Oedipus summoned back to Corinth and why is he reluctant to go?

5. Describe Hecuba's mocking of the Greeks throughout "Troades."

6. Why does Oedipus refuse to commit suicide?

7. How does Ulysses trick Andromache at Hector's tomb and why?

8. What do the shepherd and the messenger reveal to Oedipus about his past?

9. What does Oedipus reveal about his journey to Thebes in the fourth act?

10. Describe Polyxena's fate.

(see the answer keys)

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