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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 Jocasta say about human prophecy?

2. What made Oedipus angry, when he encountered the stranger's carriage on the road?

3. Why does Oedipus say he must remain afraid?

4. How does Oedipus react to the chorus' pleas?

5. What simile does Jocasta use to describe the people of Thebes?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Jocasta feel about Polybus' death?

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

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

4. What main news does the messenger from Corinth bring?

5. What is the first thing Oedipus tells Jocasta, when he tells her about the argument between himself and Creon?

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

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

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

9. What caused the scar on Oedipus' ankles?

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

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

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?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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