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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the chorus say about Oedipus' possible motive for killing Laius?

2. What does Teiresias believe about future events?

3. What does Oedipus accuse Creon of?

4. How has Teiresias' pronouncement made the chorus feel?

5. Who speaks for the people of Thebes as their leader?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Oedipus wish on the murderer?

3. What reason does Teiresias give for coming to see Oedipus?

4. Why doesn't Oedipus listen to Teiresias?

5. Why are the people of Thebes reluctant to think Oedipus guilty of a crime?

6. Why does Oedipus offer a deal to the murderer and set rules for the people of Thebes?

7. What does Oedipus wish for any townspeople who don't obey his orders?

8. What troubles have affected the people of Thebes?

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

10. How does Oedipus' attitude toward Teiresias change during their first discussion?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the nature and consequences of defying the gods in OEDIPUS THE KING.

1) How does Oedipus defy the gods? How do Laius and Jocasta defy the gods? What does the punishment seem to be for this defiance?

2) Why does Creon insist on consulting with the gods before banishing Oedipus? If the gods insist on this type of close compliance to their prophets, is there any need for a ruler as intermediary? Where is Creon's power as king, if he must defer to the gods?

3) How would the characters be best able to please the gods? What would have been the results of their actions?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Oedipus as a tragic hero.

1) What are the qualities of a tragic hero, and how does Oedipus embody those qualities? Are there any ways in which Oedipus is not a tragic hero?

2) What is Oedipus' tragic flaw? How does it contribute to his downfall?

3) The chorus comments on how far Oedipus has fallen in the end of the play. Why is it important for a tragic hero to be a mighty person who falls to a low position? How does Oedipus fulfill this aspect of the tragic hero?

Essay Topic 3

In OEDIPUS THE KING, much of the action takes place offstage or in different times, and is retold by the characters and messengers. Discuss how this affects the play.

1) How is hearing about Jocasta's suicide from the second messenger a different experience than seeing it?

2) How is hearing Oeidpus retell the story of meeting Laius on the road different from seeing it?

3) How effective is it for Oedipus to come on stage with his eyes gouged out at the end of the play? Is it more affecting since most of the violence of the play takes place offstage?

4) What other effects does the action taking place offstage have on the play?

(see the answer keys)

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