- 1. The Oresteia is a trilogy of Greek tragedies written by the ancient playwright Aeschylus, first performed in 458 BCE. This monumental work explores themes of justice, revenge, and the evolution of societal laws through the intertwined stories of the House of Atreus. The trilogy is comprised of three plays: 'Agamemnon,' 'The Libation Bearers,' and 'The Eumenides.' In 'Agamemnon,' King Agamemnon returns home from the Trojan War, only to be murdered by his wife Clytemnestra, who seeks revenge for the sacrifice of their daughter Iphigenia. 'The Libation Bearers' follows their son Orestes, who, urged by the ghost of his father, returns to avenge Agamemnon's death by killing Clytemnestra. The final part, 'The Eumenides,' deals with the aftermath of Orestes' act of revenge as he is pursued by the Furies for the crime of matricide. This play introduces the concept of trial and the establishment of a legal system, marking a shift from personal vengeance to communal justice. Aeschylus masterfully weaves in themes of fate, moral ambiguity, and the transition from primal law to civic order, making the Oresteia a profound commentary on the human condition and the foundations of society. The trilogy not only captivated the audiences of ancient Athens but continues to resonate through the ages, showcasing Aeschylus's significant contributions to the development of drama and philosophical thought.
Who is the author of the Oresteia?
A) Sophocles
B) Euripides
C) Aristophanes
D) Aeschylus
- 2. What is the first play of the Oresteia trilogy?
A) The Eumenides
B) Prometheus Bound
C) The Libation Bearers
D) Agamemnon
- 3. What is the central theme of the Oresteia?
A) Love and betrayal
B) War and peace
C) Fate and free will
D) Justice and revenge
- 4. Who is Agamemnon's wife?
A) Clytemnestra
B) Electra
C) Cassiopeia
D) Helen
- 5. What does Clytemnestra do upon Agamemnon's return?
A) She murders him
B) She leaves him
C) She forgives him
D) She celebrates him
- 6. What are the Furies also known as?
A) The Erinyes
B) The Graces
C) The Muses
D) The Norns
- 7. Which play contains the trial of Orestes?
A) The Libation Bearers
B) Seven Against Thebes
C) The Eumenides
D) Agamemnon
- 8. What do the Furies seek to do?
A) Support Athena
B) Encourage Clytemnestra's reign
C) Punish Orestes for his crime
D) Help Orestes escape
- 9. What do the Furies represent in the Oresteia?
A) Retribution
B) Peace
C) Love
D) Forgiveness
- 10. What transformation occurs throughout the Oresteia?
A) From despair to joy
B) From old gods to new gods
C) From peace to war
D) From personal vendetta to public law
- 11. Which goddess intervenes to help Orestes in his trial?
A) Hera
B) Demeter
C) Athena
D) Aphrodite
- 12. How does the Oresteia end?
A) With Orestes' death
B) With the establishment of a new order
C) With Clytemnestra's revenge
D) In total chaos
- 13. How does Orestes prove his identity?
A) By showing a scar
B) By carrying a shield
C) By speaking to the Furies
D) By revealing a lock of his hair
- 14. The title 'Eumenides' translates to what?
A) The Vengeful Ones
B) The Silent Ones
C) The Kindly Ones
D) The Fearful Ones
- 15. What does the trial of Orestes signal the end of?
A) Divine intervention
B) Revenge tragedies
C) Moral ambiguity
D) Blood vengeance
- 16. What is Orestes' fate after the trial?
A) He is acquitted
B) He becomes king
C) He escapes to Egypt
D) He is sentenced to death
- 17. What does Orestes represent in the play?
A) Pure evil
B) A victim of fate
C) The struggle between justice and revenge
D) Tragic hero without flaws
- 18. Which god demands the sacrifice of Iphigenia?
A) Apollo
B) Artemis
C) Ares
D) Athena
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