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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 his current position brings?

2. Who does Jocasta say Laius had with him, as an escort?

3. Where did Laius order his infant child to be put?

4. What does Jocasta advise Oedipus about his fears?

5. What does Oedipus ask, when Jocasta tells Oedipus the messenger's news?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Jocasta's response, when Oedipus wants to find and question the shepherd that the messenger said gave him the infant Oedipus?

2. Why does Jocasta try to stop Oedipus from trying to find out the truth of his birth?

3. What does the old shepherd say was his motive in giving the infant to the messenger, when they were both shepherds together?

4. Why does Oedipus question how his father could love him?

5. What favor did Jocasta do for the person who told her about Laius' death?

6. How does the chorus react to Creon's self defense?

7. What is Oedipus's attitude toward his wife?

8. What does Jocasta's description of the place where Laius was killed mean to Oedipus?

9. How does Jocasta feel about Polybus' death?

10. What is the chorus' foremost concern?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Oedipus' temper and his tendency to anger.

1) What types of things cause Oedipus anger? What instigates Oedipus's anger with Teiresias? Creon? Laius?

2) How does Oedipus' temper affect his ability to lead Thebes? Does Oedipus get angry for his own sake or for the sake of Thebes?

3) What is the root of Oedipus' anger? Is Oedipus angry about the things he says he is, or is there a deeper reason for Oedipus' anger?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the timeline of Oedipus' story.

1) Why does Oedipus' story begin years after Oedipus killed his father?

2) How does the audience gain information about Oedipus's past?

3) What is the importance of the past events in Oedipus' life: the prophecy given to him, leaving his parents, meeting the stranger on the road, and defeating the Sphinx? Are any of the events in the play comparable in importance to the past events in Oedipus' life?

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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