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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 Oedipus believe about the news from Creon from the ghost?

2. According to Hecuba, what also died on the same day as her warrior son?

3. From where does the messenger in the fourth act come in "Oedipus"?

4. What does Creon advise Oedipus to do after the former relays the message from the murdered king?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. Why does Tiresias summon Laius' ghost?

6. Why does Oedipus refuse to commit suicide?

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

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

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

10. How did Oedipus become king of Thebes?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the uniqueness of Seneca's language in the following format:

Part 1) The black humor of "Thyestes."

Part 2) Monologues.

Part 3) Lack of dialogue.

Part 4) Expressive, emotional descriptions.

Part 5) Character development or lack thereof.

Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the theme of corruption within a family in the following format:

Part 1) The House of Pelops.

Part 2) Phaedra's manipulations of Theseus and Hippolytus.

Part 3) The rise of Nero.

Part 4) Octavia's fate.

Part 5) Power and punishments.

Essay Topic 3

Write a brief essay about whether Oedipus and Jocasta deserve to be punished for their inadvertent incest. Discuss Jocasta's statement, "Fate is that fault of thine: by fate no one is made guilty" in relation to your thesis statement. Be sure to discuss the murder of Laius and how it has affected Oedipus throughout the years, as well as Tiresias and Creon's beliefs that Oedipus should remain ignorant of his parentage. Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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