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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. What does Oedipus tell Jocasta, when she begs him to tell her what's troubling him?
(a) He yells at her and sends her into the palace.
(b) He agrees to tell her his worries.
(c) He refuses to tell her, since what he suspects is so bad.
(d) He tells her that there is nothing troubling her.

2. When Jocasta begs him to stop his investigation and runs off, how does Oedipus say he feels about potentially discovering something bad about his natural parents?
(a) Oedipus believes that his natural family will turn out to be even better than his adopted one.
(b) Oedipus is not concerned and wants to know his true origin.
(c) Oedipus is afraid that if he finds out his true heritage, the people may not want him as king.
(d) Oedipus is afraid that he will find out that the prophecy is already fulfilled.

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

4. Who does Jocasta say Laius had with him, as an escort?
(a) ten heralds
(b) fifteen of the best men
(c) five men, including a herald
(d) no one

5. What does Oedipus ask about Polybus' death?
(a) what time of day he died
(b) what the cause of his death was
(c) what Polybus said before his death
(d) whether his mother knows of the death

Short Answer Questions

1. What children did Polybus have before Oedipus?

2. When Creon turns the tables and begins questioning Oedipus, what is the first question he asks?

3. Does the shepherd identify the messenger as someone he's met?

4. What part of her and Laius' infant child does Jocasta say Laius bound?

5. What simile does Jocasta use to describe the people of Thebes?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Polybus die?

2. What is Oedipus's attitude toward his wife?

3. How does Oedipus react to Creon's self defense?

4. How does the chorus react to Creon's self defense?

5. What is Jocasta's response, when Oedipus wants to find and question the shepherd that the messenger said gave him the infant Oedipus?

6. When Oedipus is questioning Creon, why does he ask Creon how long it's been since Laius was killed?

7. What caused the scar on Oedipus' ankles?

8. What does Oedipus say, when he finally finds out the truth about his past and his present situation?

9. Why does Jocasta try to stop Oedipus from trying to find out the truth of his birth?

10. What is the first thing Oedipus tells Jocasta, when he tells her about the argument between himself and Creon?

(see the answer keys)

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