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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Jocasta say before she leaves?
(a) that she'll never speak again
(b) that she'll run away from Oedipus
(c) that she'll never see Thebes again
(d) that she'll join Laius

2. Who does the messenger say gave him the infant Oedipus?
(a) an old man he cannot identify
(b) Jocasta's young maid
(c) one of Laius' shepherds
(d) one of Laius' soldiers

3. What does Creon say Oedipus can do, if he finds proof Creon's lying?
(a) banish Creon from the kingdom forever
(b) cut Creon's throat then and there
(c) kill Creon before his sister's eyes
(d) arrest Creon and sentence him to death

4. What nationality does Oedipus say the mother who raised him was?
(a) Dorain
(b) Aeolian
(c) Ionian
(d) Macedonian

5. In the encounter between Oedipus and the stranger in the carriage, what was the initial violent act?
(a) The stranger whipped Oedipus.
(b) The stranger struck Oedipus with his sword.
(c) The herald struck Oedipus with his sword.
(d) Oedipus whipped the stranger.

6. How does Oedipus react to the chorus' pleas?
(a) Oedipus gives in to the chorus unwillingly, foreseeing doom to himself.
(b) Oedipus decides not to change his decision, though the chorus makes him doubtful.
(c) Oedipus refuses to listen to the chorus.
(d) Oedipus is convinced by the chorus and gladly does what they ask.

7. What was Oedipus' response to the information he got from the oracle at Delphi, when he asked about his parentage?
(a) Oedipus ran away from Corinth.
(b) Oedipus confined himself to a room in his father's palace.
(c) Oedipus went to ask his parents about it.
(d) Oedipus asked the oracle for more clarity.

8. Where did the messenger find the infant Oedipus?
(a) on the border of Corinth
(b) in the valleys of Clithaeron
(c) by the banks of a river
(d) on the doorstep of his home

9. How long would the shepherds stay in the fields each year?
(a) nine months
(b) one month
(c) six months
(d) three months

10. What does Jocasta ask Oedipus to do regarding her brother?
(a) hold Creon in prison until he can discover the truth
(b) trust that Creon is telling the truth
(c) make her responsible for Creon
(d) send Creon away instead of killing him

11. What does Oedipus seem to think Jocasta is afraid of learning about his birth?
(a) that he's Polybus' son after all
(b) that he's not born of natural parents
(c) that he's of low social status
(d) that he's older than they believed

12. What part of her and Laius' infant child does Jocasta say Laius bound?
(a) his wrists
(b) his elbows
(c) his knees
(d) his ankles

13. Does the messenger identify the shepherd as the man he mentioned earlier?
(a) Yes, but the messenger must question the shepherd before being certain.
(b) No, the messenger doesn't think he's the same man.
(c) No, the messenger knows it's him but won't identify him.
(d) Yes, the messenger identifies him easily.

14. Who is with the approaching shepherd?
(a) servants of Oedipus
(b) a priest of Apollo
(c) no one
(d) Teiresias

15. What does Oedipus do when the messenger questions him about the prophecy that drove Oedipus away from his parents?
(a) Oedipus tells the messenger he has no wish to repeat the prophecy, or think about it.
(b) Oedipus tells the messenger to ask the prophet about it.
(c) Oedipus tells the messenger he has no right to know the prophecy.
(d) Oedipus tells the messenger the prophecy.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What does Oedipus ask about Polybus' death?

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

4. Why does Oedipus say he must remain afraid?

5. What does Creon deny that he has a desire to do?

(see the answer keys)

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