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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Jocasta say about human prophecy?
(a) No human is skilled in prophecy.
(b) Oedipus is a fool not to listen to human prophets.
(c) Human prophets are the voices of gods.
(d) Some human prophets are true and some are false.

2. What children did Polybus have before Oedipus?
(a) a son who was stolen away
(b) none
(c) a daughter who died
(d) a son who died

3. What does Creon deny that he has a desire to do?
(a) gain wealth
(b) mar Teiresias's reputation
(c) rule as king
(d) hurt his sister

4. Who accused Oedipus of not being his father's real son?
(a) a stranger passng through the town
(b) a drunk man at a dinner
(c) his cousin, son of his mother's sister
(d) the local prophet

5. What does the chorus leader say he does not know about Oedipus'scharges against Creon?
(a) whether Creon understand the charges Oedipus made
(b) what charges Oedipus made against Creon
(c) Oedipus's steadiness and state of mind when making the charges
(d) whether Teiresias was there when Oedipus made the charges

6. Who asks the old shepherd whether he gave an infant baby to the messenger years ago?
(a) the messenger
(b) Jocasta
(c) Oedipus
(d) the chorus leader

7. Who does the shepherd say gave him the infant child?
(a) Jocasta
(b) Laius
(c) Laius's servant
(d) Jocasta's maid

8. What does Creon say Oedipus can do, if he finds proof Creon's lying?
(a) cut Creon's throat then and there
(b) kill Creon before his sister's eyes
(c) arrest Creon and sentence him to death
(d) banish Creon from the kingdom forever

9. How does Oedipus react to the chorus' pleas?
(a) Oedipus decides not to change his decision, though the chorus makes him doubtful.
(b) Oedipus refuses to listen to the chorus.
(c) Oedipus is convinced by the chorus and gladly does what they ask.
(d) Oedipus gives in to the chorus unwillingly, foreseeing doom to himself.

10. What does Oedipus tell the messenger he regrets about leaving Corinth?
(a) having met Creon
(b) not seeing his parents
(c) having met Jocasta
(d) having taken on the burden of ruling Thebes

11. What sentence does Oedipus want to give to Creon for his crime?
(a) death
(b) mutilation
(c) banishment
(d) imprisonment

12. How long would the shepherds stay in the fields each year?
(a) one month
(b) nine months
(c) six months
(d) three months

13. Does the chorus leader recognize the approaching shepherd?
(a) Yes, but he can't remember who the old man was.
(b) No, he has never seen the old man.
(c) Yes, he identifies the old man of a servant of Laius.
(d) Not at first, but then the old man begins to look familiar.

14. What does Jocasta bring to the shrine of Apollo outside the castle gates?
(a) a garland and incense
(b) a gift from Teiresias
(c) a scarlet cape
(d) her youngest child

15. What is Jocasta's answer, when Oedipus asks how tall and old Laius was?
(a) Laius was skinny and tall and young-looking.
(b) Laius was old and bent, but tall.
(c) Laius was big and had white hair.
(d) Laius was small with a gray beard.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Jocasta say before she leaves?

2. What does Jocasta chide Oedipus and Creon for?

3. What does Oedipus do when the shepherd won't tell about giving away the infant?

4. What does Oedipus first say to Jocasta, after questioning the messenger about Polybus' death?

5. What gives Oedipus hope that he did not kill Laius?

(see the answer keys)

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