OEDIPUS REX FINAL EXAM WITH HIGH- SCORING ANSWERS (100% GRADE
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OEDIPUS
Institution
OEDIPUS
OEDIPUS REX FINAL EXAM WITH HIGH-
SCORING ANSWERS (100% GRADE)
What does the priest say to Oedipus? - CORRECT ANSWER -He tells him of the
plague that is ravaging Thebes. He begs Oedipus to resolve the crisis. The plague
reflects the anger of the gods. The priest seeks to convince Oedipus that i...
OEDIPUS REX FINAL EXAM WITH HIGH-
SCORING ANSWERS (100% GRADE)
What does the priest say to Oedipus? - CORRECT ANSWER -He tells him of the
plague that is ravaging Thebes. He begs Oedipus to resolve the crisis. The plague
reflects the anger of the gods. The priest seeks to convince Oedipus that it is in his own
self-interest to rid Thebes of the plague.
What qualities do we immediately see in Oedipus? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Compassionate, proud, efficient, and intelligent. His compassion creates immediate
sympathy with the audience; he sheds tears over their plight.
What is the importance of irony in Oedipus the King? - CORRECT ANSWER -It builds
the suspense by having the audience aware of the true circumstances while Oedipus
blithely goes on about his kingly duties.
What ironies are introduced in the prologue? - CORRECT ANSWER -Situational ironies
of fate and free will, illusion and reality. These make powerful philosophical statements
about the conflicts.
What news does Creon bring from Delphi? - CORRECT ANSWER -The oracle told
Creon that the death of Oedipus's predecessor, King Laius, is the cause of the plague.
Laius's killer must be found and expelled from the kingdom.
What is the mood of the chorus upon its entrance? - CORRECT ANSWER -The mood
of the Theban choral senators is fearful of the plague and suppliant toward any god who
might relieve the city's plight.
What appeals do they make? - CORRECT ANSWER -They appeal to Apollo, Athena,
Artemis, Ares, and Dionysus.
In what ways does Oedipus criticize his subjects? - CORRECT ANSWER -Oedipus
implicitly scolds the chorus for failing to find Laius's murderer long ago. Oedipus's
single-mindedness stands in immediate contrast to the hesitation of the Thebans.
What initial signs of rashness do we see in Oedipus? - CORRECT ANSWER -The
decisions he makes concerning the killer of Laius seem inflexible and interperate.
Oedipus invokes the curse on Laius's killer against himself; considering the uncertainty
of the situation, he might have chosen a more moderate course of action.
What seems to be Tiresias' philosophical attitude? - CORRECT ANSWER -He is
resolutely pessimistic and fatalistic; he maintains that the future is fixed and that man
can do nothing about it.
, What ironies arise in the First Episode? - CORRECT ANSWER -Ironic statements from
Oedipus: when he discusses his "kinship" with the late King Laius; says he will search
for Laius's murderer as if he were searching for his father's killer; states that his children
and Laius's would have shared the same mother. There is an ironic undercurrent in the
barbs Oedipus and Tiresisas exchange about blindness. Oedipus mocks Tiresias's
literal blindness. Tiresias points out that Oedipus himself is blind even in his
sightedness. In a further paradox, when Oedipus is at last blinded, he will see the
horrible truth of his situation.
What false conclusion does Oedipus reach as a result of his quarrel with Tiresias? -
CORRECT ANSWER -He jumps to the conclusion that Tiresias has been bribed by
Creon to spread lies about Oedipus.
What effect will Tiresias being bribed by Creon to spread lies about Oedipus have on
Oedipus? - CORRECT ANSWER -This will affect his own journey toward self-discovery,
intensifying the suffering he will feel when his identity is revealed. This quarrel also sets
the stage for a confrontation between Oedipus and Creon.
What role does the chorus play in the quarrel? - CORRECT ANSWER -The chorus
seeks to mollify the tempers of both men.
What issues are discussed in the first ode? - CORRECT ANSWER -It first discusses the
still-unknown killer of Laius. Ironically, they visualize the killer as vainly fleeing the wrath
of the gods. Then the chorus expresses its puzzlement regarding Tiresias' allegation.
What does Creon's counterargument to Oedipus's charges reveal about Creon's
character? - CORRECT ANSWER -When Oedipus accuses him of treason, Creon
manages to keep his anger in check and reveal a firm capacity for reason. Sensibly
enough, Creon points out that he shares the actual power in the state equally with
Oedipus and Jocasta. He already has kingly influence with none of the anxieties or
responsibilities of kingship. These logical arguments strongly contrast with Oedipus's
heated, paranoid charges.
Contrast Oedipus's and Creon's approach to political power. What questions does
Sophocles seem to raise by using this contrast? - CORRECT ANSWER -Oedipus holds
lofty ideals concerning leadership. To him, a king must be a steadfast, uncompromising
protector of his people. Sophocles offers Creon as a contrast. Creon's political goals are
based on practicality and self-interest. Creon is not even interested in the glory of being
king.
What decision does the first senator persuade Oedipus to make regarding Creon? -
CORRECT ANSWER -He persuades Oedipus not to have Creon exiled or executed for
treason.
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