<p> “Oedipus Rex” Study Guide Questions Name: Period:</p><p>Punch holes into & place in notebook!!! Prologue 1. What are the people of Thebes suffering from?</p><p>2. What does the Priest ask Oedipus to do?</p><p>3. What two reasons do the Thebans have for pleading to Oedipus for help?</p><p>4. What initial step does Oedipus indicate he has already taken?</p><p>5. What is the significance of Delphi?</p><p>6. What is an oracle?</p><p>7. What is the message Creon was given from the oracle at Delphi?</p><p>8. Who was murdered long ago?</p><p>9. What single clue about the murder does Creon reveal?</p><p>10. What prevented the Thebans from tracking down the murderer of Lauis at the time the murder occurred?</p><p>11. What does Oedipus promise to do?</p><p>12. What is you first impression of Oedipus as a person and ruler?</p><p>Scene 1 13. What is Oedipus’ decree regarding the fate of the murderer?</p><p>14. What is the function of the chorus?</p><p>15. Why does Teiresias refuse to tell Oedipus what he knows? 16. How does Oedipus react when Teiresias reveals to him truth?</p><p>17. What does Oedipus say in anger that is offensive to the gods?</p><p>18. What is the significance of Teiresias to the god Apollo?</p><p>19. Whom does Oedipus assume is behind Teiresias’ claims? </p><p>20. List 4 of the many prophecies Teiresias gives to Oedipus regarding the murderer of King Lauis.</p><p>Scene 2 21. What two reasons does Choragos give Oedipus for believing Creon is innocent?</p><p>22. What reasons does Oedipus give to prove that Teiresias is wrong?</p><p>23. What does Creon argue to prove he is not guilty of treason? </p><p>24. Why does Jocasta have no faith in the oracles of seers and prophets?</p><p>25. Why does Oedipus suspect that Teiresias may have been right?</p><p>26. What account from the shepherd may clear Oedipus’ name?</p><p>Scene 3 27. Why does the messenger’s message make Jocasta so joyful?</p><p>28. According to Jocasta, why should Oedipus have no fear of sleeping with his mother?</p><p>29. What does the messenger tell Oedipus to prove that his fears are groundless?</p><p>30. Why does Jocasta want the questioning to end?</p><p>31. Why does Oedipus assume that Jocasta want the questioning to end?</p><p>32. What clues does the messenger give that reveals the truth to Jocasta? Scene 4</p><p>33. Oedipus is about to interrogate the Shepherd. Which characters has he already cross- examined in an effort to solve the mystery of Laius’ murder and his own identity? </p><p>34. Why do you think the Shepherd bursts in so angrily here?</p><p>35. Who else in the play so far has called Oedipus “unhappy” because of his desire to learn more?</p><p>36. Oedipus fails to experience recognition. What truths does he fail to see?</p><p>Exodos (The final scene)</p><p>37. How does Jocasta die?</p><p>38. As Oedipus stormed into the palace, do you think he intended to harm Jocasta?</p><p>39. Explain what Oedipus does to himself.</p><p>40. Why does Oedipus choose blinding himself rather than committing suicide? Explain whether or not this is an act of bravery or cowardice.</p><p>41. Why does Oedipus wish for all of Thebes to see him in his present condition?</p><p>42. What does the Choragos mean when he says to Oedipus, “You suffer it all twice over”?</p><p>Literary Terms Apply these literary terms to the Greek tragedy, “Oedipus” by explaining each with an example from the play. Use your notes. 43. Hamartia: (Give an example of Oedipus’ character flaw.)</p><p>44. Hubris: (Give an example of how Oedipus demonstrates excessive pride.)</p><p>45. Recognition: (Does Oedipus achieve recognition or fail to do so? Explain.) 46. Pathos (How do the events in Oedipus Rex evoke feelings of sympathy and pity in a reader?)</p><p>47. Tragic Hero: (How does Oedipus exhibit the true qualities of a tragic hero? Why would he be considered a hero?</p><p>Directions:  The question underlining the play is this: Is Oedipus’ destructive end a result of a doomed fate by the gods or was it because of his character flaws? </p><p> To sufficiently answer this question, analyze each of Oedipus’ character flaws by explaining an example for his behavior and actions regarding each separate flaw. 48. Proud</p><p>49. Stubborn</p><p>50. Pompous</p><p>51. Judgmental</p><p>52. Has a temper</p><p>53. Give an example of the light/dark, blindness/sight motif throughout the play. </p><p>54. How are these motifs used to reveal situational and dramatic irony in the play?</p><p>55. Explain how these motifs reveal the central conflict of the play.</p>