Oedipus Rex Test Questions with correct Answers 2024

Oedipus Rex Test Questions with correct Answers 2024 Why were Greek dramas originally performed? What was this God in charge of? Greek dramas were originally performed honoring Dionysus, the god of wine, fertility, and rebirth. Briefly define "Tragedy". What does the word tragedy come from? Tragedy- a serious drama featuring a none, dignified protagonist who strives to achieve something but is ultimately defeated.; it is derived from the Greek "tragodia," meaning goat-song What is the chorus? What was their purpose? Why were they a necessity in Greek theater? The chorus commented on the events and participated in them. They were a large group within the cast. They made transitions between scenes giving actors the chance to leave the playing are, and announced the playbill. Give the 3 concepts of Greek Enlightenment harmony is the ruling principle of the universe, independence of thought, and a new way of thinking and looking at the world Give 3 conventions of Greek Tragedy violence and death usually take place offstage, playwrights often use messengers to relay information, Greek tragedies are usually based upon myth or history Who wrote the play? Sophocles From the introduction on page 201, what are 3 of the underlying themes that the play will explore? the quest for identity, the nature of innocence and guilt, and the nature of moral responsibility In what city does the action of the play take place? Thebes What problem is afflicting Thebes at this time? In what ways is this problem hurting the city? The plague. It's devastating the city and creating drama. They go and ask Oedipus for help. Who is the current King of Thebes? How did he become king? Oedipus became the King of Thebes by killing the sphinx by answering it's riddle Who is Creon? Jocasta's brother When Creon returns what information does he report to Oedipus? What have the gods commanded? Creon says that a murderer living in Thebes is the reason for the plague. The gods command to take revenge on the killer. Who was King before Oedipus? King Laius What happened to the former King? How did it happen? Why was this crime not solved? Laius was killed at the place where three roads meet by a group of highway men. The crime was never looked into because of the Sphinx's invasion on Thebes. What curse does Oedipus put on anyone that knows the murderer but doesn't speak out? That person will be shunned and not be allowed to join in sacrifice, lustration, or in prayer What curse does Oedipus put on the criminal? To be condemned to evil and wretchedness In lines 245-260, Oedipus makes an impassioned speech about Laius and his murder. What does Oedipus vow to do? What are the ironies in this speech? Oedipus voes to do what a son to Laius would do and search for his murderer and punish him. It's ironic because Oedipus /is/ Laius' son Who is Tieresias? a blind seer When he is called to Oedipus, what does Teiresias refuse to do? Why? Teiresias refuses to tell Oedipus who the murderer is because it's Oedipus and he doesn't want him to overreact. Who does Teiresias say is the murderer? Oedipus Who does Oedipus think is out to take his throne/steal his power? the murderer What argument does Creon use to defend himself against Oedipus' charge of plotting with Teiresias to overthrow him? Why would he kill Oedipus, he has all the perks of his job with no downsides In what ways is Creon's personality a contrast to Oedipus' personality? Creon is calmer and more down to earth. Why does Oedipus decide to let Creon go and not put him to death? The choragus was sad, so he felt bad and didn't do it. Who is Jocasta? How is she related to Oedipus? Creon? She is Oedipus' wife and mom. She is Creon's sister After questioning Jocasta about the details of Laius' death, what does Oedipus suspect/fear Oedipus fears he is the one who killed Laius What facts lead him to feel this way? Same location as where he murdered a group of men on the highway, The king had a lot of people with him, and It was right before he got to Thebes How does Oedipus plan to determine if he was the man who killed Laius? He's going to bring in a former servant to Laius who witnesses the King's murder, and question him Why does Jocasta refuse to believe Oedipus could be the murderer of Laius? She doesn't believe it could be Oedipus because the servant very clearly said it was a whole group of highwaymen who attacked Who does Oedipus believe are his parents? Polybus and Merope, the rulers of Corinth What happens to change this belief? What is Oedipus' parents' opinion of this claim? A drunk man at a party tells him they aren't his parents. His "parents" were angry, saying that it was just some drunk and meaningless rant. What does Oedipus do to avoid this fate? he runs away from his "parents" What happens during Oedipus' journey away from Corinth? A a place where three highways meet, he was told to get off the road by the groom of an oncoming chariot. Then, Oedipus hits him. Ten, the King got out of the chariot with a club, and Oedipus killed him. What fate must Oedipus face if he is the murderer of Laius? Oedipus shall face his own punishment and be shunned. Therefore, he says he'll flee. However, he can't go home because he doesn't want the prophecy to come true, so he'll have nowhere to go. Who does Oedipus believe can prove him innocent of the murder of Laius? Why and how can this person help save Oedipus? Oedipus thinks the shepherd who witnessed the murder can clear his name. If this man still claims it was a group of murderers, Oedipus is innocent. However, if he says it was one man now, he'll know he's guilty. Where is the witness to Laius' murder now and why? He went to the frontier district because when he saw Oedipus would be ruler of Thebes, he got frightened and couldn't let himself live there. Why is Jocasta praying to Apollo at the opening of Scene 3? Jocasta is praying to Apollo because Oedipus is not being himself, he's so preoccupied with dread that he is the murderer. Where is the messenger from? What news is he bringing to Oedipus? The Messenger is from Corinth and he has come to tell Oedipus that Polybus has died, and the people os Corinth want him to take over as King. Why does Jocasta get excited when she hears this news? Jocasta is excited to hear of Polybus' death because it means Oedipus' prophecy was false, and he has no reason to worry. How did Polybus die? Why does this make Oedipus feel better? What does Oedipus say about prophesies after hearing the news? Polybus dies from natural causes, which relieves Oedipus because not he knows he should not be scared that he will kill his father. After hearing the news, Oedipus agrees with Jocasta that nothing but fate predicts your life's path Why was Oedipus still worries even after hearing the messenger's news about his father? Oedipus was still worries because his mother was still alive, and he didn't want to sleep with her as the prophesies said. How does Jocasta try to make Oedipus feel better about his worry that he will still sleep with his mother? Jocasta tell Oedipus that only pate can control your life What shocking news does the Messenger from Corinth reveal about Oedipus' family? How does this man know the truth? The Messenger tells Oedipus that he knows Polybus and Merope aren't his parents because he gave them Oedipus Who does the Messenger from Corinth get the baby from? How is this man already connected to Oedipus? The Messenger got the baby from a shepherd, who we know worked for Laius. What does Jocasta try to do as Oedipus is receiving this news from the Messenger? Why? Jocasta tries to get the Messenger to stop telling Oedipus all this information because she figured out that she is Oedipus' mother. Why does Oedipus believe Jocasta is so upset during the conversation with the messenger? Oedipus thinks that Jocasta's upset that Oedipus may be of a lower class What does the Choragos think of Jocasta's reaction? The Choragos thinks something bad will happen after Jocasta runs offstage. What does Oedipus think about finding out the truth of his parentage? Oedipus thinks that he is a child of luck, so no matter who his real parents are, he'll be honored. Who enters at the beginning of Scene 4? The shepherd who once worked for Laius. How does the shepherd feel about being with Oedipus and the Messenger from Corinth? The Shepherd is very confused because he doesn't know that Oedipus was the baby he found, and he has no recollection of knowing the messenger. What does the Messenger from Corinth say to help the old servant of Laius remember him? THe messenger tells the shepherd that they spent three seasons together tending to their flocks How does the old servant respond to all the questions being asked of him? The servant isn't really answering the questions he's being asked, and everything he says is in a really angry tone What is Oedipus' reaction to the old man's mood? What does Oedipus do? What does he threaten to do? Oedipus is frustrated and angry with the old man, and binds that mans arms behind him. He threatened to kill him if he doesn't tell the truth. What shocking news is the old servant finally forced to break down and reveal? Be as detailed as possible. Where did the baby come from? What was he told to do with it? Why? What did he do instead? Why? How does he feel about it all now? The old servant says that Jocasta gave him the baby because there was a prophecy saying it would kill Polybus. He was told to get rid of it, but instead he gave it to the messenger. The shepherd pitied the baby and thought giving the baby to the Messenger would prevent the prophecy from coming true, but it did anyway. What does Oedipus finally discover? How does he feel about it? Oedipus discovers that his worst fear, his prophecy, has come true, and he says he is damned. What news does the second messenger announce? The second messenger announces that Jocasta died. How did Jocasta die? she hanged herself after finding out that Oedipus was her son. Why did Oedipus say he stabbed his eyes? Because he said he never wanted to see the misery he creates, or the faces he never should have seen in the first place, again. How does the choragos respond when they see Oedipus in his new state for the first time? The choragus says that Oedipus is now a hideous sight. They say a demon had to have posessed him to get him to do that to himself. They say he is ruined. How is Oedipus able to tell that it is the Choragos who is speaking to him? by the tone of the Choragus' voice Who does Oedipus say is responsible for him harming himself. Oedipus says Apollo is responsible for his self-harm. What does OEdipus think should happen to the man who pitied him as a baby and saved his life? Oedipus thinks the man who pitied him as a baby should die. Why does Oedipus wish his life had ended on the mountain? He wishes his life had ended on the mountain so he wouldn't have to deal with the guilt of murdering his father and sleeping with his mom and causing her death as well Why does Oedipus think his blindness is a just punishment/good thing? Oedipus thinks his blindness is a good thing because that way he won't have to see his father or mother in the house of Death. Also, this way he would never have to fee his children, who could never be a good sight to his eyes ever again. What additional injury does Oedipus wish he had also inflicted upon himself? He wishes he had also made himself deaf, so his body would be an isolated jail cell Who has become the ruler of Thebes, now that Oedipus has fallen? Creon is the new ruler of Thebes Why does Creon say Oedipus should be taken into the house? Creon wants Oedipus to go into the house because he is a disgrace to mankind, and if he must rob humanity of it's dignity, he should at least do so in private What does Oedipus ask Creon to do for Oedipus? take him out of the country as soon as possible so no person can interact with him What does Oedipus ask Creon to do for Jocasta? he asks that Jocasta be given a proper funeral What does Oedipus ask Creon to do for his sons nothing, they can take care of themselves. What does Oedipus ask Creon to do for his daughters? take care of them because they need a father figure and no one will ever accept them when they find out their family situation