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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Where does Creon say the murderer of Lauis is?
(a) on the nearby mountain
(b) hiding in the countryside
(c) in Thebes
(d) in Corinth

2. What does Oedipus ask of the citizens of Thebes?
(a) He orders them to hold a great celebration in the town.
(b) He orders them to go to the shrines and give offerings to the gods.
(c) He orders them to gather together and stay in their houses.
(d) He orders them to reveal the murderer, if they know who he is.

3. Why does Oedipus say he's not punishing Teiresias?
(a) because he believes Teiresias is Creon's pawn
(b) because of Teiresias' age
(c) because clearly no one will believe Teiresias
(d) because of Teiresias's stature in the community

4. What is Oedipus' attitude toward Teiresias when he first speaks to the prophet?
(a) deferential and complimentary
(b) defensive and annoyed
(c) derisive and snide
(d) angry and ironic

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

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Teiresias respond when Oedipus says the prophet speaks in riddles?

2. What does Oedipus decree that no citizen of Thebes shall do?

3. Who does Teiresias accuse as the murderer?

4. How does Oedipus react to Teiresias' unwillingness to speak?

5. What course of action does the chorus leader suggest Oedipus should take?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the message that Creon brings from the oracle.

2. What does Oedipus promise to do when Creon returns?

3. What does Oedipus accuse Teiresias of, that finally forces the prophet's tongue?

4. How does Oedipus respond to the townspeople's pleas for help?

5. What rumor does the chorus leader remind Oedipus of?

6. Why doesn't Creon immediately tell Oedipus his news?

7. Why doesn't Oedipus listen to Teiresias?

8. Describe what the people of Thebes have with them at the beginning of the play.

9. What troubles have affected the people of Thebes?

10. What is Teiresias referring to when he says Oedipus and his children will be "equals"?

(see the answer keys)

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