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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. 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

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

3. Why does the messenger tell Oedipus he is not Polybus' son?
(a) The messenger wants to stop Oedipus from offending Apollo.
(b) The messenger wants to frighten Oedipus.
(c) The messenger wants to relieve Oedipus's fear.
(d) The messenger wants to prove prophecies are meaningless.

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

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

6. What does Jocasta say before she leaves?
(a) that she'll never speak again
(b) that she'll never see Thebes again
(c) that she'll run away from Oedipus
(d) that she'll join Laius

7. What was Oedipus' response to the information he got from the oracle at Delphi, when he asked about his parentage?
(a) Oedipus confined himself to a room in his father's palace.
(b) Oedipus went to ask his parents about it.
(c) Oedipus asked the oracle for more clarity.
(d) Oedipus ran away from Corinth.

8. Who does the messenger say gave Oedipus to Polybus?
(a) the messenger
(b) a stranger
(c) Laius
(d) Creon

9. In the encounter between Oedipus and the stranger in the carriage, what was the initial violent act?
(a) The stranger whipped Oedipus.
(b) The stranger struck Oedipus with his sword.
(c) The herald struck Oedipus with his sword.
(d) Oedipus whipped the stranger.

10. What does Oedipus ask, when Jocasta tells Oedipus the messenger's news?
(a) He asks the messenger to tell him the news himself.
(b) He asks a servant to bring Teiresias to him.
(c) He asks Jocasta to leave him and go to the palace.
(d) He asks a servant to bring Creon to him.

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

12. What does Creon say his current position brings?
(a) fear and power but no freedom
(b) power and benefits without fear
(c) royal benefits but no freedom
(d) freedom from fear but no power

13. Does the shepherd identify the messenger as someone he's met?
(a) No, he says he doesn't remember the man at first.
(b) Yes, but it's clear he is lying and soon admits the lie.
(c) Yes, he identifies the messenger easily.
(d) No, but it's clear he is lying and soon admits the lie.

14. What made Oedipus angry, when he encountered the stranger's carriage on the road?
(a) The stranger asked Oedipus why he had left his parents' home.
(b) The stranger's entourage tried to arrest Oedipus for being a vagrant on the road.
(c) The stranger insulted Oedipus as they passed each other.
(d) The stranger and his entourage tried to force Oedipus off the road.

15. What simile does Jocasta use to describe the people of Thebes?
(a) like people in a carriage who see the driver terrified
(b) like children who see their father's fear
(c) like soldiers who see their commander slain
(d) like people on a ship who see the helmsman is afraid

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does the messenger want Oedipus to go?

2. Who does the shepherd say gave him the infant child?

3. What is Jocasta's answer, when Oedipus asks how tall and old Laius was?

4. What sentence does Oedipus want to give to Creon for his crime?

5. What does Creon say Oedipus should do to get proof of Creon's innocence?

(see the answer keys)

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