OEDIPUS REX TEST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Why were Greek dramas originally performed? What was this God in charge of? -
Answers :Greek dramas were originally performed honoring Dionysus, the god of wine,
fertility, and rebirth.
Briefly define "Tragedy". What does the word tragedy come from? - Answers :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? - Answers :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 - Answers :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 - Answers :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? - Answers :Sophocles
From the introduction on page 201, what are 3 of the underlying themes that the play
will explore? - Answers :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? - Answers :Thebes
What problem is afflicting Thebes at this time? In what ways is this problem hurting the
city? - Answers :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? - Answers :Oedipus
became the King of Thebes by killing the sphinx by answering it's riddle
Who is Creon? - Answers :Jocasta's brother
When Creon returns what information does he report to Oedipus? What have the gods
commanded? - Answers :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? - Answers :King Laius
, What happened to the former King? How did it happen? Why was this crime not solved?
- Answers :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? - Answers :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? - Answers :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? - Answers
: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? - Answers :a blind seer
When he is called to Oedipus, what does Teiresias refuse to do? Why? - Answers
: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? - Answers :Oedipus
Who does Oedipus think is out to take his throne/steal his power? - Answers :the
murderer
What argument does Creon use to defend himself against Oedipus' charge of plotting
with Teiresias to overthrow him? - Answers :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? - Answers
:Creon is calmer and more down to earth.
Why does Oedipus decide to let Creon go and not put him to death? - Answers :The
choragus was sad, so he felt bad and didn't do it.
Who is Jocasta? How is she related to Oedipus? Creon? - Answers :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 - Answers :Oedipus fears he is the one who killed Laius
Why were Greek dramas originally performed? What was this God in charge of? -
Answers :Greek dramas were originally performed honoring Dionysus, the god of wine,
fertility, and rebirth.
Briefly define "Tragedy". What does the word tragedy come from? - Answers :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? - Answers :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 - Answers :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 - Answers :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? - Answers :Sophocles
From the introduction on page 201, what are 3 of the underlying themes that the play
will explore? - Answers :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? - Answers :Thebes
What problem is afflicting Thebes at this time? In what ways is this problem hurting the
city? - Answers :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? - Answers :Oedipus
became the King of Thebes by killing the sphinx by answering it's riddle
Who is Creon? - Answers :Jocasta's brother
When Creon returns what information does he report to Oedipus? What have the gods
commanded? - Answers :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? - Answers :King Laius
, What happened to the former King? How did it happen? Why was this crime not solved?
- Answers :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? - Answers :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? - Answers :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? - Answers
: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? - Answers :a blind seer
When he is called to Oedipus, what does Teiresias refuse to do? Why? - Answers
: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? - Answers :Oedipus
Who does Oedipus think is out to take his throne/steal his power? - Answers :the
murderer
What argument does Creon use to defend himself against Oedipus' charge of plotting
with Teiresias to overthrow him? - Answers :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? - Answers
:Creon is calmer and more down to earth.
Why does Oedipus decide to let Creon go and not put him to death? - Answers :The
choragus was sad, so he felt bad and didn't do it.
Who is Jocasta? How is she related to Oedipus? Creon? - Answers :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 - Answers :Oedipus fears he is the one who killed Laius
