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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The Oracle foretells Laius that Oedipus would one day ______ his mother.
(a) Marry..
(b) Blind.
(c) Betray.
(d) Kill.

2. What is the name of the prophet that has foreseen the armies of Argos attacking Thebes soon?
(a) Eteocles.
(b) Teiresias.
(c) The Oracle.
(d) The Fury.

3. What is a Spinx?
(a) Half-woman, half-lion.
(b) Half-woman, half-goat.
(c) Half-man, half-horse.
(d) Half-man, half-lion.

4. Eteocles tells the men that the battle has ______.
(a) Gone well.
(b) Gone badly.
(c) Is over.
(d) Hasn't started.

5. As punishment for his crime, if Laius fathered any children, what would happen to the city of Thebes?
(a) It would be infested.
(b) It would be destroyed.
(c) It would be safe.
(d) It would rule all nations.

6. Who is the King of Thebes in the beginning of the Background?
(a) Laius.
(b) Eteocles.
(c) Oedipus.
(d) Polyneices.

7. Plays based on Greek legend tend to be very _____.
(a) Violent.
(b) Calm.
(c) Peaceful.
(d) Serene.

8. Who conspires to kill Oedipus at the end of the Background section?
(a) The Spinx.
(b) King of Argos.
(c) Eteocles and Polyneices.
(d) Ismene.

9. The Chorus refers to the attacks against the city of Thebes as _______.
(a) Clouds.
(b) Sand.
(c) Trees.
(d) Waves.

10. What does Eteocles compare Thebes and its land to?
(a) Their brother.
(b) Their father.
(c) Their mother.
(d) Their sister.

11. Who solves the Riddle of the Spinx?
(a) Laius.
(b) Polyneices.
(c) Oedipus.
(d) Ismene.

12. After Oedipus' adopts father is killed, Oedipus seeks revenge and kills _______ .
(a) the King of Argos.
(b) the Oracle of Apollo.
(c) Jocasta.
(d) Laius.

13. When Oedipus' crimes are revealed, what happens to Jocasta?
(a) She commits suicide.
(b) She is murdered.
(c) She blinds herself.
(d) She becomes ruler of Thebes.

14. In the opening of the Background, Laius has kidnapped, assaulted and murdered ______ son?
(a) Pelops'.
(b) Eteocles'.
(c) Oedipus'.
(d) Polyneices'.

15. The Oracle foretells Laius that Oedipus would one day ______ him.
(a) Imprision.
(b) Kill.
(c) Lie.
(d) Blind.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who kills Oedipus' adopted father in the Background section of the play?

2. Where does Polyneices go to marry a princess?

3. Why is Eteocles considered to be an illegal king?

4. The image of Thebes is considered the ______ of its citizens.

5. Whose appearance and description of the armies is a typical device of classical Greek theatre?

(see the answer keys)

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