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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. From where did Oedipus come?

2. What does the messenger reveal that Oedipus refuses to do in the fifth act?

3. Why can Ulysses not spare Astyanax?

4. In the fourth act of "Oedipus," what does the titular character recall before his arrival in the city?

5. What is the chorus in the fifth act of "Oedipus" questioning when they learn about their king's punishment?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Why does Tiresias summon Laius' ghost?

4. What does Pyrrhus demand for Achilles and why?

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

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

7. How and why does Jocasta commit suicide?

8. In the first act of "Troades," for whom does Hecuba lead the grief-stricken chorus and why?

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

10. Why did Oedipus leave Corinth?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What roles do the gods play in the lives of Seneca's characters? How do they handle meting out justice? How do the humans look upon them? What is significant about the fact that the gods are never actually seen in any of these plays? How does this relate to the humans governing themselves and doling out punishments and justice? Develop a clear thesis statement in order to answer these questions (though not exclusively) and cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the circular nature of playwrights influencing each other through authors such as Seneca in the following format:

Part 1) The original versions of these plays.

Part 2) The differences between the original play and Seneca's version.

Part 3) The "revenge play."

Part 4) The use of ghosts.

Part 5) The introduction of onstage violence.

Cite specific examples from Seneca's work to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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