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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 the chorus sing about at the end of the first act of "Phaedra"?

2. Although he refuses to grant Phaedra a proper burial, what does Theseus plan to do at the end of the play?

3. What does Phaedra finally admit to Theseus at the end of the play?

4. What is Phaedra doing in the beginning of the fifth act?

5. What false offer has Atreus apparently made to Thyestes, according to the third act of "Thyestes"?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. In what conflicting moods does Thyestes find himself as he travels to Argos?

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

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

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

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

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

8. Describe the backstory to "Phaedra."

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

10. For what reasons did Atreus murder his nephews?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the debate regarding the performance ability of a Senecan tragedy? How does the emphasis on rhetoric suggest that these plays were meant to be recited? How is this related to the on-stage violence? What are some other suggestions that point to these plays having been written with the intention of being performed? Discuss both sides of this debate in a brief essay and conclude with your opinions on whether Seneca intended for his work to be performed.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the theme of insatiable wants as seen in "Thyestes" in the following format:

Part 1) Tantalus' punishment.

Part 2) Atreus' need for more power.

Part 3) Thyestes' misgivings about his brother versus his acceptance of the reconciliation.

Part 4) Thyestes' belief that two men cannot rule equally.

Part 5) The tragedies and corruption that spring from greed.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the roles of lies in the Senecan tragedy in the following format:

Part 1) Atreus and Tantalus.

Part 2) Phaedra framing Hippolytus for rape.

Part 3) Andromache's attempts to save her son.

Part 4) Creon and shepherd's attempted lies by omission.

Part 5) The differences between lying for gain and lying for good.

In the final section, use the first four parts to help provide examples in this comparison. As always, cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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