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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Creon do initially when he hears Oedipus charged him with causing Teiresias to lie?
(a) talks to the people of Thebes
(b) makes a counterclaim of treason against Oedipus
(c) challenges Oedipus to a fight
(d) flees the city of Thebes

2. What part of her and Laius' infant child does Jocasta say Laius bound?
(a) his ankles
(b) his wrists
(c) his knees
(d) his elbows

3. Where did the old shepherd grow up?
(a) in Laius' house
(b) in a distant village
(c) in Corinth
(d) in a poor house in Thebes

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

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

6. What does Jocasta question the chorus about, after Creon leaves?
(a) the progress toward finding Laius's murderer
(b) what happened between Oedipus and Creon
(c) the interview between Oedipus and Teiresias
(d) the state of the farms and the townspeople

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

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

9. What does the old shepherd fear will happen to him if he tells the truth?
(a) He'll be cast from the kingdom.
(b) He'll die.
(c) He'll be outcast among the people.
(d) He'll be cursed by Apollo.

10. What does Oedipus first say to Jocasta, after questioning the messenger about Polybus' death?
(a) He says that this foretells a new era of prosperity in Thebes.
(b) He regrets that he left his home in Corinth without reason.
(c) He says he must immediately leave for Corinth to see his mother.
(d) He wonders why anyone would pay homage to Apollo's prophets.

11. What nationality does Oedipus say the mother who raised him was?
(a) Aeolian
(b) Ionian
(c) Macedonian
(d) Dorain

12. What does Jocasta ask Oedipus to do regarding her brother?
(a) make her responsible for Creon
(b) send Creon away instead of killing him
(c) trust that Creon is telling the truth
(d) hold Creon in prison until he can discover the truth

13. Who does the chorus think can help end the conflict between Creon and Oedipus?
(a) the oracle
(b) Jocasta
(c) Teiresias
(d) Apollo

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. When Jocasta begs him to stop his investigation and runs off, how does Oedipus say he feels about potentially discovering something bad about his natural parents?

2. Where does Jocasta say that Laius was murdered?

3. What made Oedipus angry, when he encountered the stranger's carriage on the road?

4. Who does the messenger say gave him the infant Oedipus?

5. Who does Jocasta say Laius had with him, as an escort?

(see the answer keys)

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