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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 advise Oedipus about his fears?

2. What does Oedipus ask Creon about Teiresias?

3. What is Oedipus' initial reaction when Creon asks to explain himself?

4. What does Creon say his current position brings?

5. What part of her and Laius' infant child does Jocasta say Laius bound?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. What did the oracle at Delphi tell Oedipus about his parentage?

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

7. What is the chorus' foremost concern?

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

9. What prophecy does Jocasta tell Oedipus about?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the function of the chorus in the play.

1) Who does the chorus represent? What is their attitude toward Oedipus and the events that unfold?

2) How is the chorus similar to the play's audience? How is the chorus different form the audience?

3) Is the chorus always "right"? Do they reflect the attitude of the author?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Discuss Oedipus's justification of choosing blindness and exile as his punishment.

1) Why does Oedipus feel the need to punish himself for his "crimes'?

2) Why does Oedipus choose the particular punishment of blindness? Why does Oedipus want to be exiled from Thebes?

3) Will Oedipus's punishment fit his crime? Is Oedipus's punishment a fair one? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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