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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Where has Oedipus sent Creon?
(a) to wander the wilderness
(b) to Zeus's oracle
(c) to Apollo's shrine
(d) to the kingdom of Corinth

2. What does Creon say stopped the city from looking into the king's death?
(a) a plague on the crops
(b) trouble with the Sphinx
(c) a storm that destroyed the town
(d) a war with Corinth

3. Who does the priest ask to come as the people's savior?
(a) Laius
(b) Phoebus
(c) Creon
(d) Oedipus

4. What does Teiresias believe about future events?
(a) They can be stopped but only by Oedipus.
(b) They can be stopped by his silence.
(c) He cannot change them.
(d) They are for the best.

5. What is Oedipus' initial attitude toward the crowd that has gathered?
(a) caring and helpful
(b) critical and derisive
(c) angry and annoyed
(d) overjoyed and cheerful

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Teiresias say about the murderer's eyesight?

2. What does Oedipus ask of the citizens of Thebes?

3. What is Oedipus' attitude toward Teiresias when he first speaks to the prophet?

4. What does Teiresias answer when Oedipus asks the identity of his father?

5. How does Teiresias respond when Oedipus says the prophet speaks in riddles?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Teiresias feel about having come to see Oedipus at the king's request?

2. Why does Oedipus offer a deal to the murderer and set rules for the people of Thebes?

3. What does Oedipus accuse Teiresias of, that finally forces the prophet's tongue?

4. Explain the irony of Teiresias' blindness.

5. What is the attitude of the townspeople when they speak to Oedipus?

6. What does Oedipus promise to do when Creon returns?

7. Why is Oedipus concerned about Creon at the beginning of the play?

8. Describe what the people of Thebes have with them at the beginning of the play.

9. What does the priest appeal to in asking Oedipus to save the city?

10. Why are the people of Thebes reluctant to think Oedipus guilty of a crime?

(see the answer keys)

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