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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 Creon say about the god's call to avenge Laius' death now?

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

3. Who does Teiresias accuse as the murderer?

4. Why does the chorus think it's time for the murderer to flee?

5. Who does the priest say has gathered?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Describe Oedipus's attitude toward Creon when Creon returns.

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

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

5. How does Teiresias feel about having come to see Oedipus at the king's request?

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

7. What does Oedipus wish on the murderer?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss free will and predestination in OEDIPUS THE KING.

1) Is Oedipus predestined to his fate, or does he have free will? Are these two ideas completely incompatible?

2) Can Oedipus be held responsible for his actions, if his fate is predestined?

3) How does predestination affect the position of a ruler? Are all the joys and woes that befall the ruler's lands predestined? What is the role of the leader, if fate is predestined?

Essay Topic 2

There is a saying that "ignorance is bliss." Discuss knowledge versus ignorance in the context of the play.

1) Why is Oedipus driven to seek out the truth about himself? Why isn't he afraid of what he might find?

2) Why does Jocasta not want Oedipus to find out the truth, even when she has clearly realized it herself? Could there be any benefit to the characters in continuing to live in ignorance?

3) In the end of the play, if Oedipus could go back and undo his own knowledge, do you think he would? Use evidence from the play to support your position.

Essay Topic 3

What is the natural order in Oedipus, and how does Oedipus upset it?

1) What causes the plague on Thebes? Is Apollo sending a plague as punishment, or is the plague a natural reaction to a disruption in the natural order?

2) What is the hierarchy of power in the play? What place to gods, rulers, men, women, and slaves have in this hierarchy?

3) What makes Oedipus's crime severe enough to upset the natural order?

(see the answer keys)

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