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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. In what sort of garb is Phaedra's nurse dressed in the third act?

2. To whom do Thyestes and Atreus drink a toast in the fifth act of "Thyestes"?

3. What is Thyestes doing at the end of the fourth act?

4. What does the nurse show Theseus when he demands to know why Phaedra is determined to die in the third act?

5. What is Atreus angry about being unable to avenge?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the backstory to "Phaedra."

2. Discuss the character of Atreus.

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

4. How is Tantalus manipulated into releasing the Fury upon the House of Pelops?

5. What do Thyestes and his children believe about their upcoming meeting with Atreus?

6. Describe Theseus' conflicting emotions over the death of his son and upon learning of his wife's deception.

7. For what reasons did Atreus murder his nephews?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a brief essay about whether Oedipus and Jocasta deserve to be punished for their inadvertent incest. Discuss Jocasta's statement, "Fate is that fault of thine: by fate no one is made guilty" in relation to your thesis statement. Be sure to discuss the murder of Laius and how it has affected Oedipus throughout the years, as well as Tiresias and Creon's beliefs that Oedipus should remain ignorant of his parentage. Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the theme of corruption within a family in the following format:

Part 1) The House of Pelops.

Part 2) Phaedra's manipulations of Theseus and Hippolytus.

Part 3) The rise of Nero.

Part 4) Octavia's fate.

Part 5) Power and punishments.

Essay Topic 3

What is stoicism? How does this relate to Seneca? How is the Stoic philosophy seen throughout Seneca's plays? Which characters appear to embody stoicism and how does this affect their fate? What does this suggest about Seneca's beliefs? Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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