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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. 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 was able to defeat the Sphinx because of his powerful arm and his connections to royalty.
(c) Oedipus defeated the Sphinx only out of sheer luck.
(d) Oedipus had no more knowledge or instruction than the townspeople, and yet was able to solve the riddle.

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

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

4. What does Oedipus say the killers had to have?
(a) a promise of reward from Corinth
(b) a dictate from a god
(c) a dictate from a prophet
(d) financial help from Thebes

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

6. Where are the townspeople who are not gathered to speak with Oedipus?
(a) in their graves
(b) at the gods' shrines asking for help
(c) at home, caring for the sick
(d) in the fields, trying to cure the diseases

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

8. 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) eternal damnation
(c) a life of solitude and sobriety
(d) to be ripped from his land and family

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

10. 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 Oedipus is good at solving riddles
(d) that the truth is as complex as a riddle

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

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

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

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Oedipus first say to Creon as he approaches?

2. What does Creon say of the news he brings?

3. At the beginning of the play, where have the townspeople gathered?

4. Who does Teiresias accuse as the murderer?

5. What does Oedipus ask Teiresias to do, after Teiresias says Oedipus is the murderer?

(see the answer keys)

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