Oedipus study guide Exam Questions With
100% Correct Answers
What news does the messenger from Corinth bring that will make Oedipus both happy and sad.
The messenger brings the news that Polubus is dead and Oedipus will be the new king. He's sad
because the man he thinks is his father is dead but happy because he did not kill him.
why does this news make Jocasta happy?
Because she knows this will make Oedipus happy that he did not kill him
What does Oedipus still fear despite hearing the news about Polybus?
Oedipus still fears that he will marry his mother like the oracle said.
Why does the messenger tell Oedipus he should not fear returning to Corinth?
He tells him he doesn't need to worry because Polybus and Merope were not his real parents.
How does the messenger know that Oedipus is not the child of Polybus and Merope?
The messenger is the one that found Oedipus in the shady valleys of Mount Cithaeron when he was a
baby
Where and in what condition did the messenger find baby Oedipus?
He found him with his feet pinned together in the shady valleys of Mount Cithaeron
What happened to Oedipus' feet when he was a baby?
His parents pinned them together so he would die in the desert
The messenger said he received Oedipus from whom?
He said he received him from another shepherd that worked for Laius
What does the name Oedipus mean?
swollen feet
What other role did this Theban Shepherd play in Oediupus' past that required him to already be
summoned from his field to the place?
Why does Jacosta beg Oedipus to stop his search for the shepherd the messenger mentions?
Because she has figured out Oedipus is her son
What does Oedipus mistakenly think Jocasta is afraid they will discover about his birth that would
reflect poorly upon her?
He thinks that Jacosta is worried he comes from a slave family
Why does Jocasta say that Oedipus is doomed and run from his sight?
Because she knows he will not stop until he finds the truth and the truth will kill him
100% Correct Answers
What news does the messenger from Corinth bring that will make Oedipus both happy and sad.
The messenger brings the news that Polubus is dead and Oedipus will be the new king. He's sad
because the man he thinks is his father is dead but happy because he did not kill him.
why does this news make Jocasta happy?
Because she knows this will make Oedipus happy that he did not kill him
What does Oedipus still fear despite hearing the news about Polybus?
Oedipus still fears that he will marry his mother like the oracle said.
Why does the messenger tell Oedipus he should not fear returning to Corinth?
He tells him he doesn't need to worry because Polybus and Merope were not his real parents.
How does the messenger know that Oedipus is not the child of Polybus and Merope?
The messenger is the one that found Oedipus in the shady valleys of Mount Cithaeron when he was a
baby
Where and in what condition did the messenger find baby Oedipus?
He found him with his feet pinned together in the shady valleys of Mount Cithaeron
What happened to Oedipus' feet when he was a baby?
His parents pinned them together so he would die in the desert
The messenger said he received Oedipus from whom?
He said he received him from another shepherd that worked for Laius
What does the name Oedipus mean?
swollen feet
What other role did this Theban Shepherd play in Oediupus' past that required him to already be
summoned from his field to the place?
Why does Jacosta beg Oedipus to stop his search for the shepherd the messenger mentions?
Because she has figured out Oedipus is her son
What does Oedipus mistakenly think Jocasta is afraid they will discover about his birth that would
reflect poorly upon her?
He thinks that Jacosta is worried he comes from a slave family
Why does Jocasta say that Oedipus is doomed and run from his sight?
Because she knows he will not stop until he finds the truth and the truth will kill him
