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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 Oedipus say that he still fears, after hearing the news of Polybus' death?

2. What does Jocasta say before she leaves?

3. Where does Jocasta say that Laius was murdered?

4. What was the messenger's profession when he found the infant Oedipus?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Creon seem to react to Oedipus leveling charges against him?

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

4. What prophecy does Jocasta tell Oedipus about?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 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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