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

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

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

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

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

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. What did Oedipus' parent say about the accusation that Oedipus was not their son?

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

4. What does Oedipus seem to think Jocasta is afraid of learning about his birth?

5. Who first sees the old shepherd approaching?

Short Essay Questions

1. What main news does the messenger from Corinth bring?

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

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

4. What does Oedipus say, when he finally finds out the truth about his past and his present situation?

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

6. How does Jocasta feel about Polybus' death?

7. What caused the scar on Oedipus' ankles?

8. What is Jocasta's response, when Oedipus wants to find and question the shepherd that the messenger said gave him the infant Oedipus?

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

10. How does Jocasta react to the messenger's news?

(see the answer keys)

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