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

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

3. What was the messenger's profession when he found the infant Oedipus?
(a) shepherd
(b) farmer
(c) tailor
(d) priest

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

5. Why does Jocasta come to pray to Apollo?
(a) to pray that Oedipus be forgiven
(b) to cleanse what is corrupting Thebes
(c) to ask for Oedipus to be banished
(d) to ask for her own safety

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Oedipus say he must remain afraid?

2. What does Oedipus tell the messenger he regrets about leaving Corinth?

3. What does Oedipus ask about Polybus' death?

4. What does the messenger ask the chorus when he first arrives?

5. What does Jocasta question the chorus about, after Creon leaves?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Jocasta try to stop Oedipus from trying to find out the truth of his birth?

2. What is Oedipus's attitude toward his wife?

3. After Jocasta exits, when Oedipus is intent on finding out his true identity, how does the chorus feel about Oedipus' search?

4. What does Jocasta's description of the place where Laius was killed mean to Oedipus?

5. How did Polybus die?

6. What favor did Jocasta do for the person who told her about Laius' death?

7. How does Oedipus react to Creon's self defense?

8. What did the oracle at Delphi tell Oedipus about his parentage?

9. When Oedipus is questioning Creon, why does he ask Creon how long it's been since Laius was killed?

10. What does the old shepherd say was his motive in giving the infant to the messenger, when they were both shepherds together?

(see the answer keys)

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