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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Phaedra finally admit to Theseus at the end of the play?
(a) She was supposed to kill Theseus.
(b) She lied about the rape.
(c) She is pregnant by Hippolytus.
(d) She married Hippolytus.

2. Who is Theseus' first wife?
(a) Jocasta.
(b) Hyppolyta.
(c) Andromache.
(d) Cassandra.

3. What does the nurse show Theseus when he demands to know why Phaedra is determined to die in the third act?
(a) The blood on their bedsheets.
(b) Hippolytus' sword.
(c) Hippolytus' armor.
(d) Phaedra's torn dress.

4. When Hippolytus rebuffs Phaedra, how does she react?
(a) She slanders him.
(b) She attempts suicide.
(c) She prays for forgiveness.
(d) She flees the city.

5. Of what does Phaedra's nurse attempt to convince Hippolytus in the second act of "Phaedra"?
(a) He should become more sociable and try to find love.
(b) He should seek Athena's counsel.
(c) He should try to bring his father back from the Underworld.
(d) He should never come back to the city.

6. To where is Thyestes traveling in the third act?
(a) Troy.
(b) Corinth.
(c) Argos.
(d) Thebes.

7. At the end of the second act of "Phaedra," in what does the chorus hope Hippolytus will find comfort?
(a) His beauty.
(b) His hunting skills.
(c) His prayers to Diana.
(d) His love of the outdoors.

8. Before his brother's treachery is revealed in the fifth act, what does Thyestes admit to being upset about in regards to his supposed reconciliation to Atreus?
(a) His sons are not there to share the joy.
(b) They could not have reconciled earlier.
(c) Atreus' sons are not present to meet their uncle.
(d) Their father could not have lived to see them reconcile.

9. Over what is Tantalus anguishing in the beginning of "Thyestes"?
(a) The death of his wife.
(b) The Greek's plot against his sons.
(c) The sins of his sons.
(d) His suicide.

10. In the fourth act of "Phaedra," what new character enters the play?
(a) Diana.
(b) Theseus' brother.
(c) The messenger.
(d) Hippolytus' wife.

11. How does Atreus justify his wicked plans against his brother?
(a) He claims Thyestes raped his wife.
(b) Atreus knows his brother is an atheist and will be under no protection.
(c) Atreus believes he is being commanded by the gods.
(d) Atreus is free to act because of his brother's actions against him.

12. At the end of "Thyestes," what does the titular character entrust to the gods?
(a) His life.
(b) The souls of his sons.
(c) His fate at sea.
(d) Atreus' punishment.

13. Upon whom must Tantalus loose the Fury?
(a) The House of Aeneas.
(b) The House of Pelops.
(c) The House of Priam.
(d) The House of Menelaus.

14. What is Phaedra's relationship to Hippolytus?
(a) She is his sister.
(b) She is his stepmother.
(c) She is his stepsister.
(d) She is his mother.

15. To whom does Phaedra confide her desire for Hippolytus?
(a) Hippolytus' sister.
(b) Hippolytus' nurse.
(c) Her daughter.
(d) Theseus.

Short Answer Questions

1. How was young Tantalus murdered?

2. What does Phaedra's confidante try to dissuade her from doing?

3. Why does Atreus not fear his subjects' favor?

4. How does Atreus protect his sons from sharing the blame for his plot against Thyestes?

5. Who is the father of Tantulus?

(see the answer keys)

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