House of Atreus Questions
Pages 345-371; 247-265
1. What does Tantalus do to begin the curse that will plague the rest of the House of Atreus?
2. How is Pelops injured and how does he recover?
3. Who are the sons of Pelops?
4.. What conflict do these two sons have with each other?
5. How does Atreus get revenge on his brother? (This is sometimes called the “unholy banquet.”
5. Who is Agamemnon’s father? Who is Agamemnon’s wife? What are the names of their children?
6. What did Agamemnon do before he could sail for Troy? Why did he have to do this? (Review question)
7. Who does Agamemnon’s wife begin a relationship with during his absence? Who is this person related to?
8. There are two different versions of how Agamemnon dies when he returns from Troy. What are they?
9. How is Clytemnestra’s role in this event explained? In other words, why does she not feel guilty for doing what happens?
10. Who does Agamemnon bring back from Troy with him? What is her “unusual” gift? (Review Question)
11. What is Orestes’ conflict after the murder of his father? Whom does he ask for help?
12. How do Orestes and his cousin Pylades try to deceive his mother?
13. How is Orestes tormented immediately after killing his mother? What are these creatures called? Where does he go?
14. Years later, whom does Orestes plead his case to? (ask for help)
15. What are the results of this “trial”? What happens to the Furies?
Iphigenia among the Taurians
16. In Euripedes version of the story, what “really” happened to Iphigenia at Aulis?
17. What did Iphigenia have to do when she was living with the Taurians that was so horrible?
18. What two people is she supposed to kill?
19. How does Iphigenia, along with her companions, plan their escape?
20. What almost ruins their escape plans? What finally puts an end to their suffering?
21. What are your feelings about the changes Euripedes made to the story of Iphigenia?