Oedipus review exam with complete solution
When Creon asks about Oedipus' glance and state of mind (lines 18-19), how does the leader answer?
The leader says "I really couldn't say. I never look to judge the ones in power." This shows to me that even the leader knows Oedipus wasn't sure about his...
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Oedipus review exam with complete solution
When Creon asks about Oedipus' glance and state of mind (lines 18-19), how does the leader answer?
The leader says "I really couldn't say. I never look to judge the ones in power." This shows to me that
even the leader knows Oedipus wasn't sure about his conviction of Creon, but did not want to say
anything because Oedipus is the one in charge.
What does this reply reveal about the ancient Greek view of a citizen's proper respect for a king?
This also says a lot about the past times because just like now, they do not want to go against their
leader. They have full trust in their leaders because without that trust in a leader your city could
crumble.
Why does Oedipus feel that a plot against him, engineered by Creon and Tiresias, is more than just
unfounded suspicion?
Creon said "we did our best, of course, discovered nothing." When Oedipus brings up the fact they
investigated him and he replied "But the great seer never accused me then-why not?" It seems like
Oedipus believe Creon and Tiresias are trying to get rid of him from the throne. This brings Oedipus to
become defensive towards Creon mainly.
Creon's speech defending himself (lines 79-118) contains a logical argument about his lack of motive
to plot against the king. He also refers to evidence that Oedipus can check. What is this evidence?
Creon says: "Do you want proof? Go to Delphi yourself, examine the oracle and see if I've reported
the message word-for word." So now, Creon is saying go to Delphi because that will give you the
evidence you are looking for.
How does Jocasta treat Oedipus and Creon when she finds them arguing?
Jocasta says: "Aren't you ashamed, with the land so sick, to stir up private quarrels?" Jocasta sends
Creon home, but she still supports her brother. She doesn't believe her brother would stab her
husband, Oedipus, in the back.
Why is Jocasta relieved to hear that the charges brought against Oedipus come from the mouth of a
prophet? (see lines 206-228)
Jocasta says "nothing human can penetrate the future". Then she talks about how an oracle came to
her and told her that her son would kill her husband and marry her. She believes this did not come
true because Laius was killed by strangers and she married Oedipus who is not from Thebes.
Therefore they cannot predict the future.
What five important facts does Oedipus learn, to his growing horror, by questioning Jocasta? (lines
228-268)
He learns that Laius was killed at a place called Phocis where two branching roads one from Daulia
and one from Delphi form a crossroad. This happened no sooner than Oedipus reached Thebes.
Jocasta described Laius as swarthy, gray, and was built like Oedipus. Jocasta then answered Oedipus
next question and tells him there were give herald with him in a single wagon. Jocasta learned all of
this from the single servant who survived and reached Thebes.
Although Oedipus realizes that he probably had killed Laius, what does he still fail to recognize about
Laius and himself?
Oedipus realizes he was probably the one who killed Laius but he still believes that Polybus and
Merope were his parents. He says this because he even asked them when he was younger and they
, did not deny it. Oedipus has full trust in Polybus and Merope. He doesn't even accept the fact that
Laius could be his father.
What inner conflict does the chorus express after observing Oedipus and Jocasta?
One line that really sticks out is; "But if any man comes striding, high and mighty in all he says and
does, no fear of justice, no reverence for all the temples of the gods- let a rough doom tear him down,
replay his pride breakneck, ruinous pride!" Jocasta doesn't necessarily want to believe that Oedipus is
guilty. Oedipus just thought he could kill a group of people and be justified, but eventually the gods
would catch up with him.
What metaphor does Jocasta use in lines 438-439 to describe the despair and confusion Thebes
experiences due to Oedipus' turmoil?
The metaphor Jocasta uses is "Look at us, passengers in the grip of fear, watching the pilot of the
vessel go to pieces."
Why does Jocasta rejoice at the news of Polybus' death?
Jocasta rejoices at the news of Polybus death because that means the curse cannot be true. This is
said because the curse states that Oedipus is suppose to kill his father but his father died from
sickness.
Jocasta begins to plead with Oedipus not to keep seeking information about his birth. What has she
begun to fear?
She begins to fear that he is in fact her son. She begs Oedipus not to search. At one point she says
"You're doomed- may you never fathom who you are!" Oedipus just can't take no for an answer, he
has to know who he is.
What conclusion does Jocasta reach about the role of fate and the gods in human existence?
She reaches the conclusion that the role of fate and the gods in human existence are not real because
of the death of Polybus.
One student has observed that Oedipus the King resembles a mystery story in which the reader or
audience knows who committed the crime but wonders how the detective will unravel the puzzle.
Who is the murderer in this "mystery" play? Who is the determined "detective"? Why is the identity
of the "detective" highly ironic?
The murderer in this mystery play was obvious Oedipus. It just wasn't obvious to Oedipus, himself,
twenty years later. The determined detective was also Oedipus, because like mentioned before he did
not realized he was the one who killed the king/his father. It is ironic that Oedipus is the murderer
and detective because he goes on rants about how when the person is found he will do such and such
to them but after it all he IS the murderer.
In what sort of "wishful thinking" does the chorus begin to engage at the end of this part of the play?
The chorus talks about gods such as Apollo, Hermes, and Dionysus. They are hoping that one will have
the answers to Oedipus birthplace and his mountain mother.
What do lines 6 and 7 reveal about Oedipus' character?
These lines reveal that Oedipus is actually really full of himself. He treats his people as though he is a
lot better than them and says that he "pities" them.
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