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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. At the end of the scene, what does Oedipus ask the people to stand up and take?

2. Does Oedipus say he's ever met Laius?

3. Why does Oedipus say his sorrow is greater than the townspeople?

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

5. Who does the priest say has gathered?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe how the townspeople view Oedipus.

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

3. What troubles have affected the people of Thebes?

4. Why is Oedipus concerned about Creon at the beginning of the play?

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

6. Explain the irony of Teiresias' blindness.

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Discuss dramatic irony in OEDIPUS THE KING.

1) How does the fact that the audience knows the story of Oedipus affect the way the writer tells the story? How could the story be told differently, if the audience were unfamiliar with it?

2) How does dramatic irony affect the audience's perception of Oedipus? Is the audience more or less sympathetic toward Oedipus? Why or why not? How does the audience perceive Oedipus' quarrels with Teiresias and Creon?

3) How does dramatic irony affect the audience's perception of Jocasta?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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