Symbolism, Setting, and Objects from Oedipus the King

Object Descriptions

This section provides a short description of all the major objects in the book. This can be printed out as a study guide for students, used as a "key" for leading a class discussion, or you can jump to the quiz/homework section to find worksheets that incorporate these descriptions into a variety of question formats.

Objects

Thebes - This is the city in which all events take place. It is deteriorating with infertile soil, and women who are giving birth only to stillborns. As a result, its ruler wants to find out what is wrong and has sent a family member to an oracle, who says that there is someone living in the city who is of bad blood.

Sphinx's riddle - The city was cursed by this, which the current king solved when he first came to the city. As a result, the current king was...
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