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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. For what does Hecuba pray?

2. How did Astyanax defy the Greeks at his death?

3. What has happened to the Trojan widows after their army was defeated?

4. Because of the plague, what does Oedipus consider doing because he is unable to stop it in the first act of the play?

5. Whom does Oedipus defeat before the start of the play?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Why does Oedipus refuse to commit suicide?

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

6. Why did Oedipus leave Corinth?

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

8. What does Pyrrhus demand for Achilles and why?

9. Why does Tiresias summon Laius' ghost?

10. How did Oedipus become king of Thebes?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

How are the consequences of war dealt with in "Troades"? Why is it important to note that the women realize that the Trojan men who fell in battle have fared better in life than they? How is this related to the drawing of lots in order for the Greeks to claim different women? How do the deaths of Astyanax and Polyxena factor into this? What does this suggest about Seneca's views on war?

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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