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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What creature attacked Hippolytus?
(a) Medusa.
(b) A Fury.
(c) Cerberus.
(d) Neptune's sea bull.

2. How does Thyestes feel about his impending meeting with his brother?
(a) Annoyed.
(b) Joyful.
(c) Neutral.
(d) Fearful.

3. Upon what did Hippolytus' horses run when escaping the attacking creature?
(a) The ruins of another castle.
(b) The rocks.
(c) The graves of dead warriors.
(d) The grass.

4. Which character in "Thyestes" is decapitated?
(a) Thyestes.
(b) Tantalus.
(c) Plisthenes.
(d) Atreus.

5. What is Atreus celebrating in the beginning of the fifth act of "Thyestes"?
(a) His brother's marriage.
(b) His reconciliation with his brother.
(c) His triumph over his brother.
(d) His son's birthday.

Short Answer Questions

1. To where is Thyestes traveling in the third act?

2. How does Atreus plan to lure Thyestes to his castle?

3. What fate awaits the children of Thyestes?

4. In the second act of "Thyestes," how does Atreus plan to wreak vengeance against his brother?

5. At the end of the third act of "Phaedra," the chorus cries, "Why dost thou dwell afar,/ All too indifferent to men,/ Not anxious to bring blessing to the good,/ And to the evil, bane"? About what is the chorus lamenting?

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss the character of Atreus.

2. What happens when Phaedra reveals to Hippolytus her attraction for him?

3. Upon what does Thyestes unknowingly feast and how does it make him feel before he learns the truth of his brother's treachery?

4. In what conflicting moods does Thyestes find himself as he travels to Argos?

5. For what reasons did Atreus murder his nephews?

6. Describe the backstory to "Phaedra."

7. Why does Phaedra wear hunting garb in the second act?

8. Over what is Tantalus agonizing in the afterlife and why?

9. What does Theseus plan to do at the end of "Phaedra" in regards to his dead family and why?

10. How is Theseus manipulated into believing his son raped Phaedra?

(see the answer keys)

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