Free Oedipus the King Quiz

1)

What does Teiresias answer when Oedipus asks the identity of his father? (from Scene 2)

That Oedipus truly knows who his father is.

That Oedipus has two fathers.

That Oedipus will be better off not knowing.

That it will be revealed today and destroy Oedipus.

2)

What does Oedipus ask Creon to do about Jocasta? (from Scene 5)

to pray to the gods for her

to bury her as Creon sees fit

to forget she ever existed

to close up their bedroom as Jocasta's tomb

3)

What does Creon do initially when he hears Oedipus charged him with causing Teiresias to lie? (from Scene 3)

talks to the people of Thebes

flees the city of Thebes

challenges Oedipus to a fight

makes a counterclaim of treason against Oedipus

4)

How has Teiresias' pronouncement made the chorus feel? (from Scene 2)

sorrowful

angry

irritated

fearful

5)

What does Creon say Oedipus can do, if he finds proof Creon's lying? (from Scene 3)

kill Creon before his sister's eyes

banish Creon from the kingdom forever

arrest Creon and sentence him to death

cut Creon's throat then and there

6)

Who does Jocasta say Laius had with him, as an escort? (from Scene 3)

ten heralds

five men, including a herald

no one

fifteen of the best men

7)

Who does Creon want to consult before he does what Oedipus desires? (from Scene 5)

Teiresias

his own soul

the people of Thebes

the gods

8)

What does Oedipus foresee will happen to his daughters? (from Scene 5)

They will kill one another.

They will be killed by the crowd as soon as Oedipus is gone.

No one will marry them.

Creon will banish them.

9)

Where does Jocasta say that Laius was murdered? (from Scene 3)

where two roads cross a stream

at the kingdom's border

where the flatlands begin to become steep

where three roads meet

10)

What possible explanation does the chorus leader give for Oedipus' charge against Creon? (from Scene 3)

Creon is being framed.

Oedipus was mislead by Teiresias.

Oedipus was angry.

Creon was guilty.

11)

Does the messenger identify the shepherd as the man he mentioned earlier? (from Scene 4)

No, the messenger doesn't think he's the same man.

No, the messenger knows it's him but won't identify him.

Yes, but the messenger must question the shepherd before being certain.

Yes, the messenger identifies him easily.

12)

What was Oedipus' response to the information he got from the oracle at Delphi, when he asked about his parentage? (from Scene 3)

Oedipus ran away from Corinth.

Oedipus asked the oracle for more clarity.

Oedipus went to ask his parents about it.

Oedipus confined himself to a room in his father's palace.

13)

What does Creon say his current position brings? (from Scene 3)

fear and power but no freedom

power and benefits without fear

royal benefits but no freedom

freedom from fear but no power

14)

Where does Oedipus ask to be taken? (from Scene 5)

away from Thebes

to the oracle

to Teiresias

back to Corinth

15)

What does the chorus say about Oedipus' possible motive for killing Laius? (from Scene 2)

The chorus thinks Oedipus may have desired the throne.

The chorus thinks Oedipus may have been angry.

The chorus remembers rumors of a quarrel between the two houses.

The chorus knows of no quarrel between the two houses.

16)

What does Oedipus seem to think Jocasta is afraid of learning about his birth? (from Scene 4)

that he's of low social status

that he's Polybus' son after all

that he's older than they believed

that he's not born of natural parents

17)

Who does Oedipus say brought on his troubles? (from Scene 5)

Apollo

the messenger

himself

Jocasta

18)

What does Jocasta advise Oedipus about his fears? (from Scene 4)

to act to try to avoid the prophecy

to act to try to fulfill the prophecy

to ignore prophecies and live life as best he can

to accept the prophecy, since he can't change the future

19)

What does Oedipus ask of the three roads that meet where he killed his father? (from Scene 5)

if they will bury themselves in the mountain, never to emerge

if they remember him and what he's done

if they will rise up and come to Thebes

if they will burst into flames at the sin that occurred there

20)

How does Oedipus know that his daughters have come out of the palace? (from Scene 5)

They shout his name.

He hears them crying.

They run to him and embrace him.

He hears them talking.

21)

Where did Laius order his infant child to be put? (from Scene 3)

in the ocean

in a river

in a field

on a mountain

22)

What children did Polybus have before Oedipus? (from Scene 4)

none

a daughter who died

a son who was stolen away

a son who died

23)

Who accused Oedipus of not being his father's real son? (from Scene 3)

his cousin, son of his mother's sister

the local prophet

a drunk man at a dinner

a stranger passng through the town

24)

What does Jocasta say before she leaves? (from Scene 4)

that she'll never see Thebes again

that she'll run away from Oedipus

that she'll never speak again

that she'll join Laius

25)

What does Teiresias say about the murderer's financial condition? (from Scene 2)

that he is rich but will be poor

that he is rich with wealth but not love

that he is rich but not in spirit

that he is rich but cannot buy contentment

Oedipus the King Quiz