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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Whose priests gave Oedipus the prophecy that he will kill his father and marry his mother?
(a) Zeus.
(b) Hades.
(c) Hephaestus.
(d) Apollo.

2. Why can Ulysses not spare Astyanax?
(a) Astyanax can rightfully claim to be an heir to the Spartan throne.
(b) Astyanax needs to join his father in the afterlife.
(c) Calchas demands the sacrifice.
(d) Ulysses will be killed by Agamemnon if he does not comply with orders.

3. What course of action does Tiresias propose he take in order to help avenge the king's murder?
(a) He will summon the king's ghost.
(b) He will go to the Oracle himself.
(c) He will sacrifice himself to the gods for the end of the plague.
(d) He will pray to Zeus for guidance.

4. Why is Pyrrhus angry at Agamemnon?
(a) Agamemnon refuses to accept responsibility for Achilles' death.
(b) Agamemnon refuses to take the Trojan women captive.
(c) Agamemnon refuses to acknowledge Pyrrhus as a warrior.
(d) Agamemnon has not sacrificed a maiden in honor Achilles.

5. According to Hecuba, what also died on the same day as her warrior son?
(a) Hope.
(b) Troy.
(c) Her heart.
(d) Priam's resolve to win the war.

6. What does Oedipus reveal to Jocasta at the end of the play?
(a) He never loved her.
(b) He is her son.
(c) He is cursed by the gods.
(d) He is leaving Thebes.

7. What is the only reason that Creon reveals the information he gained from Tiresias after summoning the ghost?
(a) Oedipus begs him to help him end the plague.
(b) If the plague is not ended, his sister will be the next to die.
(c) Oedipus threatens him.
(d) He accidentally told the messenger while Oedipus was within hearing.

8. What is the chorus in the fifth act of "Oedipus" questioning when they learn about their king's punishment?
(a) The hatred Oedipus must feel for himself.
(b) Humanity's tendencies to make mistakes.
(c) The justice of fate.
(d) The self-fulfilling nature of prophecies.

9. What is revealed about Troy in the background of "Troades"?
(a) Troy is the mightiest city-state in the world.
(b) Troy has been cursed.
(c) Troy has fallen to the Spartans.
(d) Troy is blessed by Zeus himself.

10. What is Tiresias unable to do in the second act of "Oedipus"?
(a) Explain the Oracle's prophecy.
(b) Save Jocasta's life.
(c) Authenticate Oedipus' royal blood.
(d) Raise Laius' ghost.

11. What is Talthybius' station among the Greeks?
(a) Weaponsmith.
(b) Herald.
(c) Prophet.
(d) Priest.

12. What does Agamemnon claim about Achilles' behavior during battle?
(a) He was a coward.
(b) He helped the Trojans whenever the Greeks angered him.
(c) He won the war for them.
(d) He killed people on both sides of the battle.

13. Why is Creon sent away at the end of the first act of "Oedipus"?
(a) Creon will get sick if he does not leave the city.
(b) Creon is behind a rebellion to remove Oedipus from the throne.
(c) Creon is causing problems for Oedipus.
(d) Creon must visit Delphi to learn how to end the plague.

14. What does the old shepherd reveal to Oedipus about his parentage?
(a) Oedipus' mother is the queen of Corinth.
(b) Oedipus' mother is his wife, Jocasta.
(c) Oedipus' mother died in childbirth.
(d) He is Oedipus' father.

15. How does Jocasta kill herself?
(a) Oedipus' sword.
(b) She throws herself out of a tower.
(c) Fire.
(d) She hangs herself.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is significant about Hecuba's exit at the end of the play?

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

3. For whom do Hecuba and the chorus lament, though they say nothing will ever adequately express their loss?

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

5. What message does the ghost of Jocasta's husband send?

(see the answer keys)

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