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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. 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

2. Who does Oedipus say he's seeking vengeance for?
(a) himself and the people of Thebes
(b) the land and the god Apollo
(c) the gods and the prophets
(d) Creon and Jocasta

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

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

5. Who does the chorus leader say should reveal the murderer?
(a) Oedipus
(b) Laius
(c) Creon
(d) Apollo

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

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

8. What does the chorus leader think of Oedipus' curses on the murderer?
(a) that the murderer will ignore them
(b) that the murderer will laugh at them
(c) that the murderer will make fun of them
(d) that the murderer will take them seriously

9. Before he leaves, what does Oedipus say will happen?
(a) The murderer will definitely be caught and punished.
(b) The gods will decide the outcome, and the murderer's fate is in their hands.
(c) The whole town, and Oedipus himself, will definitely be ruined.
(d) Either the murderer will be caught and punished, or else they will all be ruined.

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

11. What is Oedipus' initial attitude toward the crowd that has gathered?
(a) overjoyed and cheerful
(b) caring and helpful
(c) angry and annoyed
(d) critical and derisive

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

13. What does Oedipus ask of the citizens of Thebes?
(a) He orders them to reveal the murderer, if they know who he is.
(b) He orders them to go to the shrines and give offerings to the gods.
(c) He orders them to hold a great celebration in the town.
(d) He orders them to gather together and stay in their houses.

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

15. Where does Creon say the murderer of Lauis is?
(a) on the nearby mountain
(b) in Corinth
(c) hiding in the countryside
(d) in Thebes

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Teiresias believe about future events?

2. What does Teiresias say about the murderer's eyesight?

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

4. What does Oedipus accuse Creon of?

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

(see the answer keys)

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