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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 do the Furies claim about Orestes to Athena?

2. Why does Clytemnestra grieve after the false news of her son's death?

3. What question does Orestes ask Pylades while confronted by his mother?

4. What does Orestes believe about the vision he is having at the end of "The Libation Bearers"?

5. What does Athena name the judges who will vote on whether Orestes is guilty or not in the last part of the third play?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Orestes and Pylades get inside the palace?

2. What does Apollo say about the rights of parents during Orestes' trial?

3. What was Clytemnestra's dream?

4. What does Athena decide to do about judging the case between Orestes and the Furies?

5. In the beginning of "The Eumenides", what is the oracle's vision and what does it mean?

6. How does the chorus know that Aegisthus is being murdered?

7. How does Clytemnestra attempt to defend herself against Orestes in the last part of "The Libation Bearers"?

8. What is the conflict between the Furies and Apollo?

9. Why do the Furies claim Orestes' journey to Athens has been useless when they catch up with him in the second part of "The Eumenides"?

10. What does Orestes find ironic about the deaths of Aegisthus and Clytemnestra?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Consider the god Apollo. On one hand, he is Orestes' savior, offering his support and guidance of the young man at every turn. On the other hand, Apollo has ruined Cassandra's life, cursing her and allowing Troy to be defeated. Explore the conflicting roles of Apollo and how he has affected the events of "The Oresteia". Cite specific examples from the text.

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the reactions of Clytemnestra and Cilissa when they receive false news of Orestes' "death." Consider, then, the words of Apollo in the third play about the roles of the mother and the father in a child's life. What is the play saying about the nature of maternal love? Create a strong thesis and use specific examples from the text to support your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the use of the chorus in "The Oresteia".

Part 1) Analyze their roles as observers in all three plays.

Part 2) How does the chorus become active participants and characters at certain points?

Part 3) How is the chorus able to act as a guide for the audience and readers?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,082 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample