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Oedipus Rex Study Guide

Answer all of the following questions in complete sentences. This study guide should, of course, be done individually and will be due at the completion of the unit. You will be responsible for working on it progressively throughout the reading of the play.

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Prologue p. 469

1. What is happening in Thebes at the beginning of the play? Give details.

2. What kind of king does Oedipus appear to be based on his own words and the words of the priest?

3. Why do the people think Oedipus can help them?

4. Explain the language that the priest uses in describing the city of Thebes.

5. Who has Oedipus sent to find out why a curse is on the city? Where did he send him? How is this person related to Oedipus?

6. How, according to Creon’s news, can the curse be lifted off Thebes?

7. How must this murderer be punished?

Parados p. 475

1. In the first song of the chorus, what five gods do they call on to help them?

2. What god does the chorus pray will leave them alone?

Episode 1 p. 477

1. According to Oedipus, what will happen to anyone who knows about the murder, but keeps quiet?

2. What curse does Oedipus call down on the murderer? On himself?

3. Oedipus says he will fight for the murdered king “as if he were my father.” What type of irony is used here?

4. Who has Oedipus sent for to help him find the murderer?

5. According to the chorus leader, did one man or many men kill Laius?

6. Does Tiresias help Oedipus? Why?

7. When Oedipus and Tiresias become angry with each other, who does Tiresias accuse of being the murderer?

8. Who does Oedipus accuse of paying Tiresias to accuse him, Oedipus, of the murder?

9. What three things does Tiresias predict will happen to the man who killed Laius?

Ode 1 p. 485

1. According to their song, does the chorus believe that Oedipus is the murderer?

Episode 2 p. 486

1. When Oedipus and Creon have their argument, which man is the most reasonable and why?

2. Why does Creon say he doesn’t want to be king?

3. How does Oedipus want to punish Creon?

4. Who interrupts the quarrel between Oedipus and Creon?

5. What is Jocasta’s opinion about prophecies? Why does she feel this way?

6. What does Oedipus hear Jocasta say that worries him? Why does it worry him?

7. Who do Oedipus and Jocasta send for to help them find out the truth?

8. Who is the chorus talking about in their song when they say pride can ruin a man?

Ode 2 p. 498

1. According to the chorus, what should happen to a man who does not honor the gods?

2. What does the chorus say they will no longer do if the prophecies don’t come true?

Episode 3 p. 503

1. What news does the messenger from Corinth bring?

2. What is Oedipus still afraid of?

3. What is the most terrible information that the messenger gives Oedipus?

4. Why does Jocasta discourage Oedipus from trying to find out who is real parents were?

5. What does Oedipus think is the reason Jocasta tries to stop him?

Ode 3 p. 509

1. Who does the chorus hope is the father of Oedipus? Why?

Episode 4 p. 509

1. What is the connection between the Corinthian messenger and the Theban shepherd?

2. How does Oedipus force the shepherd to answer his question?

3. Who are the real parents of Oedipus?

4. Why did the old shepherd give the baby away instead of letting it die?

Ode 4 p. 513

1. For what great thing was Oedipus remembered and honored by the people?

2. For what things will Oedipus be remembered from now on?

Exodus p. 514

1. What news does the messenger bring from within the palace?

2. How does Jocasta die?

3. Why does Oedipus say he put out his eyes?

4. Who does Oedipus call down a curse on?

5. What are the things that Oedipus asks Creon to do?

6. Why does Oedipus worry about his daughters?

7. How does Creon treat Oedipus in this scene?

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