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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 argument does Oedipus offer that Teiresias is not really a prophet?

2. What does Teiresias say about the murderer's financial condition?

3. What is Oedipus' initial attitude toward the crowd that has gathered?

4. What does Creon say about the god's call to avenge Laius' death now?

5. What does Teiresias say about his own wisdom, after Oedipus questions him about Laius' murderer?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Teiresias referring to when he says Oedipus and his children will be "equals"?

2. Describe Oedipus's attitude toward Creon when Creon returns.

3. Describe what the people of Thebes have with them at the beginning of the play.

4. Describe how the townspeople view Oedipus.

5. What does Oedipus accuse Teiresias of, that finally forces the prophet's tongue?

6. How does Oedipus' attitude toward Teiresias change during their first discussion?

7. What reason does Teiresias give for coming to see Oedipus?

8. What does the priest appeal to in asking Oedipus to save the city?

9. Why doesn't Creon immediately tell Oedipus his news?

10. Why does Oedipus offer a deal to the murderer and set rules for the people of Thebes?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the timeline of Oedipus' story.

1) Why does Oedipus' story begin years after Oedipus killed his father?

2) How does the audience gain information about Oedipus's past?

3) What is the importance of the past events in Oedipus' life: the prophecy given to him, leaving his parents, meeting the stranger on the road, and defeating the Sphinx? Are any of the events in the play comparable in importance to the past events in Oedipus' life?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the qualities of a leader, as illustrated in OEDIPUS THE KING.

1) What qualities does Oedipus have that make him seem like a good leader? Why do the people of Thebes choose him as a leader?

2) What qualities does Oedipus have that make him not a good leader? How do these qualities affect Oedipus's leadership?

3) What kind of a leader does Creon seem to be? Compare Creon's leadership qualities with Oedipus's.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss justice in the play.

1) What acts in the play call for retribution by the gods? Why are these acts singled out? What makes an act call for justice?

2) Are the gods in the play just or unjust? Does Oedipus truly deserve punishment?

3) How does a ruler mete out justice? Is Oedipus a just ruler? What qualities in a ruler promote justice? Use examples from the play.

(see the answer keys)

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