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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. According to the chorus, what is the best way for a man to die?

2. From where did Oedipus come?

3. For whom do Hecuba and the chorus lament, though they say nothing will ever adequately express their loss?

4. How are the Greeks dividing the captive Trojan women among themselves?

5. What message does the ghost of Jocasta's husband send?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Oedipus reveal about his journey to Thebes in the fourth act?

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

3. Why did Oedipus leave Corinth?

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

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

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

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

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

9. How does Agamemnon view the dead Achilles?

10. Describe the pestilence in Thebes and how it affects Oedipus.

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

In "Oedipus," discuss the connection between vision and knowledge. Develop a clear thesis statement around this topic. Why is it significant that Tiresias is blind? What are some references to Oedipus being unable to see the truth? How is this related to the statement from Tiresias that "[Oedipus] wilt look with envy upon these ills for which thou seekest aid"? How does this ultimately relate to Oedipus blinding himself? Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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