OEDIPUS EXAM PREP: HIGH-SCORING
ANSWERS INCLUDED
What is your first impression of Oedipus? What characteristics of Oedipus are you
aware of after he gives the opening speech? - CORRECT ANSWER -self-important,
proud, pompous
What problem is afflicting Thebes at this time? - CORRECT ANSWER -plag...
OEDIPUS EXAM PREP: HIGH-SCORING
ANSWERS INCLUDED
What is your first impression of Oedipus? What characteristics of Oedipus are you
aware of after he gives the opening speech? - CORRECT ANSWER -self-important,
proud, pompous
What problem is afflicting Thebes at this time? - CORRECT ANSWER -plague
Why have the Priest and many citizens gathered as suppliants, and how do they view
Oedipus? How does this view contribute to Oedipus' status as a classic tragic hero? -
CORRECT ANSWER -to pray; view Oedipus as their hero; the people like tragic heroes
Why does Oedipus believe that no one is as sick as he is? - CORRECT ANSWER -he
mourns for all of them combined
What action has Oedipus taken to find an answer to the city's problem? - CORRECT
ANSWER -sent Creon to the prophet at Delphi
Why does the Priest suspect Creon brings good news? - CORRECT ANSWER -he has
a crown of laurel in bloom on his head
When Creon arrives from Delphi, what does Oedipus insist that he do? Why? -
CORRECT ANSWER -tell him the news in front of the common people
What does Creon report from the Oracle? - CORRECT ANSWER -they need to drive
the thing out that defiles the land
What is Oedipus' reaction to Creon's information? - CORRECT ANSWER -he tries to
solve the problem by questioning Creon
What happened to Laius, the former king? How did the city receive an account of the
events? - CORRECT ANSWER -he was murdered; one servant escaped to Thebes
What theory does Oedipus immediately develop about Laius' death? - CORRECT
ANSWER -someone in Thebes paid them to kill Laius
Why did the citizens of Thebes not investigate Laius' murder at the time it occurred? -
CORRECT ANSWER -the Sphinx was eating people
What does Oedipus promise to do? Why, according to Oedipus, must his resolution be
strong? - CORRECT ANSWER -He promises to weed out the murderer; to save the
people
, The chorus addresses a variety of gods in this passage. What is their central purpose? -
CORRECT ANSWER -to pray to the good gods to help them and the bad gods to leave
them alone
Reread Oedipus' long speech beginning at Line 217. What is his tone? - CORRECT
ANSWER -angry and condescending
What does Oedipus order his citizens to do? In what ways does he give them incentive
to cooperate? - CORRECT ANSWER -find the murderer; curses the ones who live with
or know him
About the killer, Oedipus states, "And I pray, if he should be known to me/and share in
my hearth among my family,/that I suffer all that I called upon these." Explain why this is
an important moment in the play. - CORRECT ANSWER -he curses himself
What does Oedipus reveal about his family life in this passage? - CORRECT ANSWER
-he does not believe one of his family is the murderer
What are examples of dramatic irony in Oedipus' speech? Explain why they are
examples of dramatic irony. - CORRECT ANSWER -"speaking as one who has no
connection with this affair"
"curse on myself if the murder should...share my house"
"Laius and I would be closely connected"
"I shall fight for him as if he were my own father"
In what way does the chorus believe the identity of the killer should be revealed? What
is Oedipus' response? What alternative does the chorus offer and why? - CORRECT
ANSWER -undertaken by Apollo; cannot make the gods act against their will; ask
Tiresias
What is the chorus' opinion of Tiresias? How does Oedipus describe him when greeting
him? - CORRECT ANSWER -he is the most truthful man in regards to the murder; he
will say old rumors; as Thebes' savior
What does Oedipus mean by the statement, "even if you cannot see, you still
understand/what sickness plagues our city"? - CORRECT ANSWER -he is prophetic
and knows things
What is Tiresias' reaction to Oedipus' plea for help? - CORRECT ANSWER -he wants
to be sent home
How does Oedipus feel about Tiresias' behavior? Why does he think Tiresias has a
special responsibility to help the city? - CORRECT ANSWER -he is angry at him for
withholding information; the city is in dire need
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