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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 the chorus' position will result in?

2. Who accused Oedipus of not being his father's real son?

3. Who does Jocasta send for after hearing the messenger's news?

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

5. Who does the messenger say gave Oedipus to Polybus?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. How does Jocasta feel about Polybus' death?

5. What does Oedipus say, when he finally finds out the truth about his past and his present situation?

6. How did Polybus die?

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

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

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 is the chorus' foremost concern?

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 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

Discuss free will and predestination in OEDIPUS THE KING.

1) Is Oedipus predestined to his fate, or does he have free will? Are these two ideas completely incompatible?

2) Can Oedipus be held responsible for his actions, if his fate is predestined?

3) How does predestination affect the position of a ruler? Are all the joys and woes that befall the ruler's lands predestined? What is the role of the leader, if fate is predestined?

(see the answer keys)

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