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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Oedipus accuse Creon of?
(a) killing Laius and causing the plagues
(b) trying to overthrow him for the sake of power and riches
(c) wanting to marry Jocasta himself
(d) setting the Sphinx upon Thebes

2. What does Teiresias say makes him strong?
(a) his powers
(b) the gods
(c) the truth
(d) anger

3. How has Teiresias' pronouncement made the chorus feel?
(a) irritated
(b) angry
(c) fearful
(d) sorrowful

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

5. What does Oedipus call the people of Thebes?
(a) his children
(b) his creations
(c) the gods' children
(d) the gods' creations

6. What does Teiresias believe about future events?
(a) They can be stopped but only by Oedipus.
(b) He cannot change them.
(c) They can be stopped by his silence.
(d) They are for the best.

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

8. Who does the priest suggest Oedipus listen to, in order to solve the town's problems?
(a) the gods or wise men
(b) Zeus's oracle
(c) the town elders
(d) the blind prophet

9. What reason does Teiresias give for not answering Oedipus' questions?
(a) He knows the truth, but the gods have told him not to say.
(b) He does not believe his own visions.
(c) He doesn't want to cause them both grief.
(d) He isn't sure about what he knows.

10. Does Oedipus say he's ever met Laius?
(a) Yes, he says he's med Laius many times.
(b) He says no, but he realizes he's met Laius many times.
(c) Yes, he says he met Laius once.
(d) No, Oedipus believes he's never met Laius.

11. Why does Oedipus feel linked to Laius?
(a) He says the prophets have linked him to Laius.
(b) He feels bound to Laius by the Sphinx's riddle.
(c) He is now married to Laius' wife.
(d) He feels drawn to the memory of Laius.

12. Why does the priest tell the people that they can leave at the end of the scene?
(a) He says the people will never get salvation.
(b) He says Oedipus is not the one to help.
(c) He says the people have been ignored in favor of Creon.
(d) He says the people have what they've come for.

13. What does Oedipus say about the fact that Laius' death wasn't looked into before?
(a) Oedipus says the town should have looked into the murder.
(b) Oedipus says that the town is actively covering up the murder.
(c) Oedipus says that the town knew it was bringing tragedy upon itself.
(d) Oedipus says he understands that the town had other problems.

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

15. What does Creon say about Laius' companions when he was killed?
(a) They were all killed but one, who ran away.
(b) They all ran away.
(c) They were all killed.
(d) The king was alone.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who does Teiresias accuse as the murderer?

2. Why does the priest say they've come to Oedipus?

3. Who does Oedipus accuse Teiresias of being in league with?

4. What does Oedipus say he's been doing in his sorrow?

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

(see the answer keys)

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