View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Creon turns the tables and begins questioning Oedipus, what is the first question he asks?

2. In the encounter between Oedipus and the stranger in the carriage, what was the initial violent act?

3. How does Oedipus react to the chorus' pleas?

4. Who does the messenger say gave Oedipus to Polybus?

5. Why does Jocasta come to pray to Apollo?

Short Essay Questions

1. After Jocasta exits, when Oedipus is intent on finding out his true identity, how does the chorus feel about Oedipus' search?

2. How does Creon seem to react to Oedipus leveling charges against him?

3. What did the oracle at Delphi tell Oedipus about his parentage?

4. How does Jocasta react to the messenger's news?

5. What does Jocasta's description of the place where Laius was killed mean to Oedipus?

6. What is Jocasta's response, when Oedipus wants to find and question the shepherd that the messenger said gave him the infant Oedipus?

7. How does the chorus react to Creon's self defense?

8. Why does Jocasta try to stop Oedipus from trying to find out the truth of his birth?

9. What prophecy does Jocasta tell Oedipus about?

10. Why does Oedipus question how his father could love him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Oedipus as a tragic hero.

1) What are the qualities of a tragic hero, and how does Oedipus embody those qualities? Are there any ways in which Oedipus is not a tragic hero?

2) What is Oedipus' tragic flaw? How does it contribute to his downfall?

3) The chorus comments on how far Oedipus has fallen in the end of the play. Why is it important for a tragic hero to be a mighty person who falls to a low position? How does Oedipus fulfill this aspect of the tragic hero?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss prophecy in OEDIPUS THE KING.

1) What is the reasons gods provide prophecies in OEDIPUS THE KING? If the characters know their futures, why aren't they better able to change them?

2) How do prophecies fulfill themselves in OEDIPUS THE KING? Are prophecies escapable?

3) How is the prophecy Laius receives different from the prophecy Oedipus receives? Why are these prophecies different?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss love and family relationships in the play.

1) Discuss Oedipus' love for his children. Why does this love only come out at the end of the play?

2) Discuss Oedipus' love for Jocasta in this play. Is this love in any way caused by their biological relationship?

3) Discuss Oedipus' love for Thebes. Does Oedipus truly love Thebes? How does Oedipus treat his "children," as he calls them at the beginning of the play?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 849 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample