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

2. Over what is Tantalus anguishing in the beginning of "Thyestes"?

3. At the end of "Thyestes," what does the titular character entrust to the gods?

4. How does Thyestes feel about his impending meeting with his brother?

5. How was young Tantalus murdered?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Discuss the character of Atreus.

3. What does Atreus offer his brother during their false reconciliation and how does Thyestes react to the gifts?

4. What plot does Atreus form against his brother and why?

5. For what reasons did Atreus murder his nephews?

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

7. For what does Theseus pray at the end of the third act of "Phaedra" and how does the chorus react?

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

9. Discuss the backstory of the House of Pelops.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In a brief essay, discuss the role that courage plays in "Troades." Develop a clear thesis statement and cite specific examples from the text to support your answers. Points to consider include (though not exclusively) Andromache's attempts to hide Astyanax, Hecuba's defiance and frequent insults to the Greeks, and the deaths of Astyanax and Polyxena.

Essay Topic 2

What does the onstage violence in Seneca's tragedies reveal about Roman society? How does this differ from the original, Greek versions of these plays? What does the escalation of violence in these works suggest about Seneca's intents with these plays? Develop a clear thesis statement on this subject and cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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