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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is the father of Tantulus?

2. What must Atreus convince Thyestes to accept in the third act of "Thyestes"?

3. How does Atreus protect his sons from sharing the blame for his plot against Thyestes?

4. How does Hippolytus die?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. For what reasons did Atreus murder his nephews?

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

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

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

5. Describe the murders of Thyestes' sons.

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

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

8. How is Theseus manipulated into believing his son raped Phaedra?

9. Discuss the backstory of the House of Pelops.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the link between power and adultery in "Octavia"? How does Nero use the adultery of Octavia's mother against his wife? Why is this hypocritical of him? How does Nero use his adultery to cement his power over Octavia and Rome? Develop a clear thesis statement and cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

In a brief essay, discuss the role that courage plays in "Troades." Develop a clear thesis statement and cite specific examples from the text to support your answers. Points to consider include (though not exclusively) Andromache's attempts to hide Astyanax, Hecuba's defiance and frequent insults to the Greeks, and the deaths of Astyanax and Polyxena.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the theme of corruption within a family in the following format:

Part 1) The House of Pelops.

Part 2) Phaedra's manipulations of Theseus and Hippolytus.

Part 3) The rise of Nero.

Part 4) Octavia's fate.

Part 5) Power and punishments.

(see the answer keys)

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