View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who speaks for the people of Thebes as their leader?
(a) the parliamentary leader
(b) the oracle
(c) the priest of Zeus
(d) the prophet of Hera

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

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

4. Who does the priest say has gathered?
(a) townspeople from the very young to the very old
(b) all the sick and elderly townspeople
(c) all the young and hearty townspeople
(d) everyone but those ill from disease

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

6. At the end of the scene, what does Oedipus ask the people to stand up and take?
(a) the news to the outlying farms
(b) their suppliant branches
(c) arms
(d) pity on him in his misery

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

8. Who does Teiresias accuse as the murderer?
(a) Creon
(b) Jocasta
(c) himself
(d) Oedipus

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

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

11. What does Oedipus say about the fact that Laius' death wasn't looked into before?
(a) Oedipus says that the town is actively covering up the murder.
(b) Oedipus says the town should have looked into 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.

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

13. What does Teiresias say about the murderer's eyesight?
(a) that he can see but will be blind
(b) that he can see but not the past
(c) that he can see but not the future
(d) that he can see but not himself

14. What does the priest say that Oedipus will be king of, if he doesn't solve the town's problems?
(a) a forest
(b) a mountain
(c) an ocean
(d) a desert

15. 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

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Creon's relationship to Oedipus?

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

3. What does Oedipus accuse Creon of?

4. What does the chorus leader rebuke both Oedipus and Teiresias for?

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

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 647 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample