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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What course of action does the chorus leader suggest Oedipus should take?

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

3. Who speaks for the people of Thebes as their leader?

4. Why does Oedipus say he's not punishing Teiresias?

5. At the end of the scene, what does Oedipus ask the people to stand up and take?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Why doesn't Oedipus listen to Teiresias?

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

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

7. Describe Oedipus's attitude toward Creon when Creon returns.

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

9. What does Oedipus wish for any townspeople who don't obey his orders?

10. What reason does Oedipus give for coming himself to see the crowd of people who have gathered at the beginning of the play?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss love and family relationships in the play.

1) Discuss Oedipus' love for his children. Why does this love only come out at the end of the play?

2) Discuss Oedipus' love for Jocasta in this play. Is this love in any way caused by their biological relationship?

3) Discuss Oedipus' love for Thebes. Does Oedipus truly love Thebes? How does Oedipus treat his "children," as he calls them at the beginning of the play?

Essay Topic 2

Examine the nature and consequences of defying the gods in OEDIPUS THE KING.

1) How does Oedipus defy the gods? How do Laius and Jocasta defy the gods? What does the punishment seem to be for this defiance?

2) Why does Creon insist on consulting with the gods before banishing Oedipus? If the gods insist on this type of close compliance to their prophets, is there any need for a ruler as intermediary? Where is Creon's power as king, if he must defer to the gods?

3) How would the characters be best able to please the gods? What would have been the results of their actions?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the role of women in the play.

1) What is Jocasta's role as queen? How do the people seem to treat Jocasta?

2) Creon says that Jocasta and Oedipus rule as equals. Is this true? How does Oedipus treat Jocasta?

2) Why does Oedipus fear for his daughters more than his sons at the end of the play? What does this say about the treatment of men and women in the society?

(see the answer keys)

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