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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to Creon, who does a witness say killed Laius?
(a) a band of soldiers
(b) a man with the power of a god
(c) a lone traveller
(d) a gang of robbers

2. Why does Oedipus say his sorrow is greater than the townspeople?
(a) Oedipus's heart is greater and therefore his sorrow is greater.
(b) Oedipus has sorrow for himself, the city, and all the townspeople.
(c) Oedipus says his personal loss from the plague is worse than anyone else's.
(d) Oedipus is full of fear that he will be dethroned.

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

4. What does Oedipus first say to Creon as he approaches?
(a) He asks why Creon is so late.
(b) He asks why Creon looks so strange.
(c) He asks who Creon has spoken to.
(d) He asks what message the gods sent.

5. How does Teiresias respond when Oedipus says the prophet speaks in riddles?
(a) that life is a riddle
(b) that Oedipus will wish this riddle were never solved
(c) that the truth is as complex as a riddle
(d) that Oedipus is good at solving riddles

6. What does the chorus say about human prophets?
(a) Human prophets are always wrong.
(b) Human prophets are the same as the gods and priests.
(c) Human prophets have human motivations.
(d) It's impossible to tell if human prophets have real knowledge beyond the everyday.

7. What is Oedipus' attitude toward Teiresias when he first speaks to the prophet?
(a) deferential and complimentary
(b) angry and ironic
(c) defensive and annoyed
(d) derisive and snide

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

9. What does Teiresias say Oedipus doesn't know?
(a) the name of the murderer
(b) the family he's come from
(c) the power of prophecy
(d) the true wishes of the gods

10. What does the chorus say about Oedipus' possible motive for killing Laius?
(a) The chorus thinks Oedipus may have been angry.
(b) The chorus remembers rumors of a quarrel between the two houses.
(c) The chorus knows of no quarrel between the two houses.
(d) The chorus thinks Oedipus may have desired the throne.

11. Who does the priest ask to come as the people's savior?
(a) Laius
(b) Oedipus
(c) Phoebus
(d) Creon

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

13. Why does the priest say they've come to Oedipus?
(a) because he's the first among men
(b) because he's got the power of wealth
(c) because he's a god to the town
(d) because he's the one they all blame

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) fight him
(d) leave Thebes immediately

15. What does Teiresias say about his own wisdom, after Oedipus questions him about Laius' murderer?
(a) It is misunderstood, even by himself.
(b) It is a blessing and a curse.
(c) It is fleeting and unreliable.
(d) It brings no benefits.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What is Creon's relationship to Oedipus?

3. What does Oedipus say the killers had to have?

4. What does Oedipus ask of the citizens of Thebes?

5. Where does Creon say the murderer of Lauis is?

(see the answer keys)

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