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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. What does Phaedra wear in the second act?

2. In what sort of garb is Phaedra's nurse dressed in the third act?

3. In the first act of "Thyestes," why does Tantalus initially refuse to unleash chaos?

4. What creature attacked Hippolytus?

5. Upon what did Hippolytus' horses run when escaping the attacking creature?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. 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?

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

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

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

6. Upon what does Thyestes unknowingly feast and how does it make him feel before he learns the truth of his brother's treachery?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the characters of Atreus and Phaedra in the following format:

Part 1) Manipulation and lies.

Part 2) Professions of love.

Part 3) Hurt pride.

Part 4) Vengeance.

Part 5) Remorse, or lack thereof.

Develop a thesis statement based on this essay and cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

What does the onstage violence in Seneca's tragedies reveal about Roman society? How does this differ from the original, Greek versions of these plays? What does the escalation of violence in these works suggest about Seneca's intents with these plays? Develop a clear thesis statement on this subject and cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

What is significant about the roles love and hate play in Seneca's work? How is this embodied by Thyestes and Atreus? How does both hate and love appear to drive Nero from "Octavia"? What tends to be the result of any hate in these plays? What does this suggest about Seneca's views on society and people? Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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