OEDIPUS REX TEST QUESTIONS AND
COORRECT ANSWERS
Who is the current King of Thebes? How did he become king? ANSW✅✅Oedipus became the King
of Thebes by killing the sphinx by answering it's riddle
Who is Creon? ANSW✅✅Jocasta's brother
When Creon returns what information does he report to Oedipus? What have the gods
commanded? ANSW✅✅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? ANSW✅✅King Laius
What happened to the former King? How did it happen? Why was this crime not solved?
ANSW✅✅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?
ANSW✅✅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? ANSW✅✅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? ANSW✅✅Oedipus vows 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? ANSW✅✅a blind seer
When he is called to Oedipus, what does Teiresias refuse to do? Why? ANSW✅✅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? ANSW✅✅Oedipus
Who does Oedipus think is out to take his throne/steal his power? ANSW✅✅the murderer
What argument does Creon use to defend himself against Oedipus' charge of plotting with Teiresias
to overthrow him? ANSW✅✅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? ANSW✅✅Creon is calmer
and more down to earth.
Why does Oedipus decide to let Creon go and not put him to death? ANSW✅✅The choragus was
sad, so he felt bad and didn't do it.
Who is Jocasta? How is she related to Oedipus? Creon? ANSW✅✅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
ANSW✅✅Oedipus fears he is the one who killed Laius
What facts lead him to feel this way? ANSW✅✅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? ANSW✅✅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? ANSW✅✅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? ANSW✅✅Polybus and Merope, the rulers of Corinth
COORRECT ANSWERS
Who is the current King of Thebes? How did he become king? ANSW✅✅Oedipus became the King
of Thebes by killing the sphinx by answering it's riddle
Who is Creon? ANSW✅✅Jocasta's brother
When Creon returns what information does he report to Oedipus? What have the gods
commanded? ANSW✅✅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? ANSW✅✅King Laius
What happened to the former King? How did it happen? Why was this crime not solved?
ANSW✅✅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?
ANSW✅✅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? ANSW✅✅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? ANSW✅✅Oedipus vows 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? ANSW✅✅a blind seer
When he is called to Oedipus, what does Teiresias refuse to do? Why? ANSW✅✅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? ANSW✅✅Oedipus
Who does Oedipus think is out to take his throne/steal his power? ANSW✅✅the murderer
What argument does Creon use to defend himself against Oedipus' charge of plotting with Teiresias
to overthrow him? ANSW✅✅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? ANSW✅✅Creon is calmer
and more down to earth.
Why does Oedipus decide to let Creon go and not put him to death? ANSW✅✅The choragus was
sad, so he felt bad and didn't do it.
Who is Jocasta? How is she related to Oedipus? Creon? ANSW✅✅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
ANSW✅✅Oedipus fears he is the one who killed Laius
What facts lead him to feel this way? ANSW✅✅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? ANSW✅✅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? ANSW✅✅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? ANSW✅✅Polybus and Merope, the rulers of Corinth
