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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. Who does Oedipus accuse Teiresias of being in league with?

2. Who does the priest ask to come as the people's savior?

3. Where does Creon say Laius was when he was killed?

4. Where are the townspeople who are not gathered to speak with Oedipus?

5. What does Creon say stopped the city from looking into the king's death?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Explain the irony of Teiresias' blindness.

3. What is the attitude of the townspeople when they speak to Oedipus?

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

5. Why doesn't Oedipus listen to Teiresias?

6. What does Oedipus wish on the murderer?

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

8. What does the priest appeal to in asking Oedipus to save the city?

9. What reason does Oedipus give for coming himself to see the crowd of people who have gathered at the beginning of the play?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the function of the chorus in the play.

1) Who does the chorus represent? What is their attitude toward Oedipus and the events that unfold?

2) How is the chorus similar to the play's audience? How is the chorus different form the audience?

3) Is the chorus always "right"? Do they reflect the attitude of the author?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the role of women in the play.

1) What is Jocasta's role as queen? How do the people seem to treat Jocasta?

2) Creon says that Jocasta and Oedipus rule as equals. Is this true? How does Oedipus treat Jocasta?

2) Why does Oedipus fear for his daughters more than his sons at the end of the play? What does this say about the treatment of men and women in the society?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the qualities of a leader, as illustrated in OEDIPUS THE KING.

1) What qualities does Oedipus have that make him seem like a good leader? Why do the people of Thebes choose him as a leader?

2) What qualities does Oedipus have that make him not a good leader? How do these qualities affect Oedipus's leadership?

3) What kind of a leader does Creon seem to be? Compare Creon's leadership qualities with Oedipus's.

(see the answer keys)

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