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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 has caused the disasters to the town?

2. What does the chorus leader rebuke both Oedipus and Teiresias for?

3. What does Teiresias say about his own wisdom, after Oedipus questions him about Laius' murderer?

4. What does Oedipus ask Teiresias to do, after Teiresias says Oedipus is the murderer?

5. What is Oedipus' attitude toward Teiresias when he first speaks to the prophet?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What troubles have affected the people of Thebes?

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

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

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

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

7. Describe how the townspeople view Oedipus.

8. What does Oedipus wish on the murderer?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the characters' intentions in their actions and their responsibility for the bad consequences.

1) What is Oedipus' intention in fleeing Corinth? Does Oedipus have any control over the unintended consequences of his actions?

2) What was the shepherd's intention in saving Oedipus? Is Oedipus right or wrong in condemning him at the end of the play?

3) To what extent is each character responsible for the tragic happening? Does the level of responsibility have anything to do with the characters' intentions?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss prophecy in OEDIPUS THE KING.

1) What is the reasons gods provide prophecies in OEDIPUS THE KING? If the characters know their futures, why aren't they better able to change them?

2) How do prophecies fulfill themselves in OEDIPUS THE KING? Are prophecies escapable?

3) How is the prophecy Laius receives different from the prophecy Oedipus receives? Why are these prophecies different?

(see the answer keys)

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