View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why can Ulysses not spare Astyanax?
(a) Calchas demands the sacrifice.
(b) Astyanax can rightfully claim to be an heir to the Spartan throne.
(c) Ulysses will be killed by Agamemnon if he does not comply with orders.
(d) Astyanax needs to join his father in the afterlife.

2. From where does the messenger in the fourth act come in "Oedipus"?
(a) Troy.
(b) Thebes.
(c) Sparta.
(d) Corinth.

3. What is the chorus in the fifth act of "Oedipus" questioning when they learn about their king's punishment?
(a) Humanity's tendencies to make mistakes.
(b) The justice of fate.
(c) The hatred Oedipus must feel for himself.
(d) The self-fulfilling nature of prophecies.

4. What does Hecuba tell the chorus they must not do in regards to Priam?
(a) Speak unkindly against him.
(b) Remember him as frail.
(c) Betray his memory.
(d) Pity him.

5. About what does a Trojan elder instruct Andromache to lie?
(a) She will claim that she is protected by Apollo.
(b) She will claim Astyanax is hiding in the castle.
(c) She will claim that she was not Hector's wife.
(d) She will claim Astyanax was killed when Troy fell.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who was murdered before the beginning of "Oedipus"?

2. What does Creon advise Oedipus to do after the former relays the message from the murdered king?

3. What actions did the old shepherd perform before the beginning of "Oedipus"?

4. Whom does Hecuba predict will not find peace for a long time?

5. For what purpose does Tiresias wish to take a particular action after he is unable to clarify the Oracle's message?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Hector and why is he important to the Trojans and Greeks?

2. Why is Oedipus summoned back to Corinth and why is he reluctant to go?

3. Why does Oedipus imprison Creon in the third act?

4. For what reasons does Agamemnon claim to forgo sacrificing a maiden?

5. Why is Creon reluctant to give Oedipus the information from Laius' ghost?

6. What does Pyrrhus demand for Achilles and why?

7. What do the shepherd and the messenger reveal to Oedipus about his past?

8. How and why does Jocasta commit suicide?

9. Why did Oedipus leave Corinth?

10. Why does Andromache hide her son from the Greeks?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,110 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample