Oedipus the King Study Exam 2026
Questions and Answers
1. why have the priests come to the altar at thebes? - Correct answer-The priests
are trying to figure out how to remedy the plague
2. how did oedipus once liberate thebes? - Correct answer-Oedipus liberated
Thebes by answering the sphinx's riddle
3. why is creon away from thebes when the story opens? - Correct answer-he is at
the oracle of Apollo trying to get answers for the plague and how Oedipus can save
the city
4. according to creon, what does apollo want done? - Correct answer-According to
creon, apollo wants to purify the land of pollution (the plague and the murderer)
5. how was Laius killed? - Correct answer-Laius was murdered by many robbers,
allegedly
6. why wasn't the death of the king fully investigated? - Correct answer-The
Sphinx caused them to forget the crime
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, 7. who are the members of the chorus supposed to be - Correct answer-The
members of the chorus represent the townspeople.
8. briefly summarize the prayer made by the first chorus. - Correct answer-The
chorus reminds us of the plague and that it is terrible compared to war. They also
call upon Apollo.
9. What "reward" does Oedipus offer for information about the murderer? - Correct
answer-Oedipus offered money.
10. What punishment does Oedipus threaten for withholding information about the
murderer? - Correct answer-He says he will banish them if they withhold
information.
11. Why has Oedipus sent for Tiresias? - Correct answer-He sends for Tiresias
because he is a reputable profit.
12. Why didn't Tiresias come immediately when Oedipus sent for him? - Correct
answer-He doesn't want to be the bearer of bad news.
13. Why does Oedipus first grow angry with Tiresias? - Correct answer-Tiresias
wont tell Oedipus what he knows.
14. Why does Tiresias grow angry with Oedipus? - Correct answer-He calls him a
traitor to the city.
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Questions and Answers
1. why have the priests come to the altar at thebes? - Correct answer-The priests
are trying to figure out how to remedy the plague
2. how did oedipus once liberate thebes? - Correct answer-Oedipus liberated
Thebes by answering the sphinx's riddle
3. why is creon away from thebes when the story opens? - Correct answer-he is at
the oracle of Apollo trying to get answers for the plague and how Oedipus can save
the city
4. according to creon, what does apollo want done? - Correct answer-According to
creon, apollo wants to purify the land of pollution (the plague and the murderer)
5. how was Laius killed? - Correct answer-Laius was murdered by many robbers,
allegedly
6. why wasn't the death of the king fully investigated? - Correct answer-The
Sphinx caused them to forget the crime
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
, 7. who are the members of the chorus supposed to be - Correct answer-The
members of the chorus represent the townspeople.
8. briefly summarize the prayer made by the first chorus. - Correct answer-The
chorus reminds us of the plague and that it is terrible compared to war. They also
call upon Apollo.
9. What "reward" does Oedipus offer for information about the murderer? - Correct
answer-Oedipus offered money.
10. What punishment does Oedipus threaten for withholding information about the
murderer? - Correct answer-He says he will banish them if they withhold
information.
11. Why has Oedipus sent for Tiresias? - Correct answer-He sends for Tiresias
because he is a reputable profit.
12. Why didn't Tiresias come immediately when Oedipus sent for him? - Correct
answer-He doesn't want to be the bearer of bad news.
13. Why does Oedipus first grow angry with Tiresias? - Correct answer-Tiresias
wont tell Oedipus what he knows.
14. Why does Tiresias grow angry with Oedipus? - Correct answer-He calls him a
traitor to the city.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
