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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Where did the messenger find the infant Oedipus?
(a) on the border of Corinth
(b) in the valleys of Clithaeron
(c) on the doorstep of his home
(d) by the banks of a river

2. Where does the messenger want Oedipus to go?
(a) into the mountains of Thebes
(b) back to Corinth
(c) to his mother on the outskirts of Thebes
(d) away from both Thebes and Corinth

3. Why does Oedipus say he must remain afraid?
(a) because his mother is still alive
(b) because they have no proof of what the messenger says
(c) because the prophets speak for the gods
(d) because the prophecy will probably be fulfilled in some surprising way

4. Who does Jocasta say Laius had with him, as an escort?
(a) fifteen of the best men
(b) ten heralds
(c) five men, including a herald
(d) no one

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

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

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

8. What is the position of the chorus, as stated by the chorus leader, in the conflict between Oedipus and Creon?
(a) Oedipus should not judge Creon prematurely.
(b) Oedipus needs to defend himself.
(c) Oedipus needs to question Teiresias more closely.
(d) Oedipus should resign as king.

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

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

11. What is Oedipus' initial reaction when Creon asks to explain himself?
(a) Oedipus says he'll listen, but he's afraid of Creon's smooth tongue.
(b) Oedipus refuses to listen to anything Creon has to say.
(c) Oedipus is eager to hear Creon's explanation.
(d) Oedipus says that he'll listen, and he hopes he can trust Creon.

12. What does Oedipus tell Jocasta, when she begs him to tell her what's troubling him?
(a) He tells her that there is nothing troubling her.
(b) He refuses to tell her, since what he suspects is so bad.
(c) He agrees to tell her his worries.
(d) He yells at her and sends her into the palace.

13. Who does Jocasta say told her about Laius' death?
(a) Teiresias
(b) Creon
(c) three of the injured men
(d) a servant who escaped

14. What did Oedipus' parent say about the accusation that Oedipus was not their son?
(a) They were angry, calling it an insult.
(b) Oedipus's father denied it, but his mother admitted it.
(c) They said it was untrue, but they seemed to be lying.
(d) They told Oedipus that it was true.

15. What does Oedipus seem to think Jocasta is afraid of learning about his birth?
(a) that he's older than they believed
(b) that he's not born of natural parents
(c) that he's of low social status
(d) that he's Polybus' son after all

Short Answer Questions

1. When Creon turns the tables and begins questioning Oedipus, what is the first question he asks?

2. What does Jocasta bring to the shrine of Apollo outside the castle gates?

3. Why does the messenger tell Oedipus he is not Polybus' son?

4. How does Oedipus react to the chorus' pleas?

5. What does Oedipus ask about Polybus' death?

(see the answer keys)

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