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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 do initially when he hears Oedipus charged him with causing Teiresias to lie?

2. What does Oedipus tell the messenger he regrets about leaving Corinth?

3. Does Oedipus want to see the person the messenger says gave him the infant Oedipus?

4. What does Creon say Oedipus can do, if he finds proof Creon's lying?

5. What does Creon say Oedipus should do to get proof of Creon's innocence?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the chorus' attitude toward Oedipus, in his conflict with Creon?

2. When Oedipus is questioning Creon, why does he ask Creon how long it's been since Laius was killed?

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

4. What is the shepherd's reaction to being questioned about the infant he gave away and being told that Oedipus is that infant?

5. What is the chorus' foremost concern?

6. After Jocasta exits, when Oedipus is intent on finding out his true identity, how does the chorus feel about Oedipus' search?

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

8. How does Jocasta react to the messenger's news?

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

10. How does Oedipus react to Creon's self defense?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss love and family relationships in the play.

1) Discuss Oedipus' love for his children. Why does this love only come out at the end of the play?

2) Discuss Oedipus' love for Jocasta in this play. Is this love in any way caused by their biological relationship?

3) Discuss Oedipus' love for Thebes. Does Oedipus truly love Thebes? How does Oedipus treat his "children," as he calls them at the beginning of the play?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Oedipus as a tragic hero.

1) What are the qualities of a tragic hero, and how does Oedipus embody those qualities? Are there any ways in which Oedipus is not a tragic hero?

2) What is Oedipus' tragic flaw? How does it contribute to his downfall?

3) The chorus comments on how far Oedipus has fallen in the end of the play. Why is it important for a tragic hero to be a mighty person who falls to a low position? How does Oedipus fulfill this aspect of the tragic hero?

Essay Topic 3

Examine the nature and consequences of defying the gods in OEDIPUS THE KING.

1) How does Oedipus defy the gods? How do Laius and Jocasta defy the gods? What does the punishment seem to be for this defiance?

2) Why does Creon insist on consulting with the gods before banishing Oedipus? If the gods insist on this type of close compliance to their prophets, is there any need for a ruler as intermediary? Where is Creon's power as king, if he must defer to the gods?

3) How would the characters be best able to please the gods? What would have been the results of their actions?

(see the answer keys)

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