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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 was murdered before the beginning of "Oedipus"?

2. What does Oedipus believe about himself in the fifth act?

3. For what purpose does Tiresias wish to take a particular action after he is unable to clarify the Oracle's message?

4. According to Andromache, what is the worst fate for a Trojan woman?

5. Why can Ulysses not spare Astyanax?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Creon reluctant to give Oedipus the information from Laius' ghost?

2. Describe Polyxena's fate.

3. How did Oedipus become king of Thebes?

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

5. Why does Oedipus refuse to commit suicide?

6. For what reasons does Agamemnon claim to forgo sacrificing a maiden?

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

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

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

10. For what reasons do the Greeks want to sacrifice Astyanax?

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

Compare the symbolism of hunting to the savagery of modern civilization in a brief essay, as seen in "Phaedra." Be sure to discuss (though not exclusively) the irony of Hippolytus acting as the most civilized of the characters, Theseus' prayer, and Phaedra's attempts to claim Hippolytus for herself. Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

What is stoicism? How does this relate to Seneca? How is the Stoic philosophy seen throughout Seneca's plays? Which characters appear to embody stoicism and how does this affect their fate? What does this suggest about Seneca's beliefs? Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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