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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Oedipus ask Creon to speak in front of the townspeople?
(a) Oedipus feels more for the townspeople than for his own life.
(b) Oedipus wants the townspeople to become used to Creon's voice.
(c) Oedipus wants to show the townspeople he's not afraid.
(d) Oedipus wants to show Creon that he's not afraid.

2. Who leads Teiresias into Oedipus' presence?
(a) Jocasta
(b) a small boy
(c) the chorus leader
(d) Creon

3. What does the priest call pestilence?
(a) a thundering beast
(b) a roaring lion
(c) a fiery god
(d) a sinister snake

4. Before Teiresias leaves, what does he say about the murderer's nationality?
(a) that he comes from no nation
(b) that he is a Corinthian
(c) that he is an Athenian
(d) that he will turn out to be a native Theban

5. Where does Creon say Laius was when he was killed?
(a) in the palace
(b) on the road to Delphi
(c) on the way to visit a nearby shepherd
(d) on an ocean voyage

6. Why does the chorus think it's time for the murderer to flee?
(a) Oedipus is against him.
(b) The ire of the city is rising against him.
(c) Teiresias will eventually name him.
(d) Zeus' son, Apollo, is against him.

7. What does Teiresias say about the murderer's financial condition?
(a) that he is rich but not in spirit
(b) that he is rich but cannot buy contentment
(c) that he is rich but will be poor
(d) that he is rich with wealth but not love

8. At the beginning of the play, where have the townspeople gathered?
(a) in a shrine
(b) in front of the palace
(c) at the oracle
(d) in the forest

9. What does the priest point out about Oedipus overcoming the Sphinx?
(a) Oedipus defeated the Sphinx only out of sheer luck.
(b) Oedipus was able to defeat the Sphinx because of his powerful arm and his connections to royalty.
(c) Oedipus had no more knowledge or instruction than the townspeople, and yet was able to solve the riddle.
(d) Oedipus used superior training to defeat the Sphinx, and no one else had the same benefits.

10. What does Oedipus wish for himself, if he unknowingly hosted the murderer at his home?
(a) all the bad things he wished upon the murderer
(b) to be ripped from his land and family
(c) eternal damnation
(d) a life of solitude and sobriety

11. What does Creon say has caused the disasters to the town?
(a) an unavenged murder
(b) an unfulfilled prophecy
(c) a fight between protecting gods
(d) a slight to the gods

12. What argument does Oedipus offer that Teiresias is not really a prophet?
(a) Teiresias changes his prophesies from one day to the next.
(b) Teiresias's prophecies conflict with the oracle.
(c) Teiresias did not answer the Sphinx's riddle.
(d) Teiresias is only faking blindness.

13. Why does Oedipus say he's not punishing Teiresias?
(a) because he believes Teiresias is Creon's pawn
(b) because of Teiresias' age
(c) because of Teiresias's stature in the community
(d) because clearly no one will believe Teiresias

14. What does Oedipus ask Teiresias to do, after Teiresias says Oedipus is the murderer?
(a) fall on his knees and pray
(b) repeat what he's said
(c) leave Thebes immediately
(d) fight him

15. What does Creon say stopped the city from looking into the king's death?
(a) a war with Corinth
(b) trouble with the Sphinx
(c) a plague on the crops
(d) a storm that destroyed the town

Short Answer Questions

1. Before he leaves, what does Oedipus say will happen?

2. What does Teiresias believe about future events?

3. What course of action does the chorus leader suggest Oedipus should take?

4. According to Creon, who does a witness say killed Laius?

5. Who does Teiresias say he was "wise enough" to?

(see the answer keys)

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