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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 does Andromache blame for the fall of Troy?

2. How did Astyanax's bravery affect Ulysses and the Greeks?

3. What does Hecuba tell the chorus they must not do in regards to Priam?

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

5. Who was murdered before the beginning of "Oedipus"?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How and why does Jocasta commit suicide?

3. Why does Oedipus imprison Creon in the third act?

4. Describe Polyxena's fate.

5. Why does Andromache hide her son from the Greeks?

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

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

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

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

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

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 a brief essay, discuss the role that courage plays in "Troades." Develop a clear thesis statement and cite specific examples from the text to support your answers. Points to consider include (though not exclusively) Andromache's attempts to hide Astyanax, Hecuba's defiance and frequent insults to the Greeks, and the deaths of Astyanax and Polyxena.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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