Oedipus the King Study Questions Answers

1. why have the priests come to the altar at thebes? - collect answer-The priests are trying to figure out how to remedy the plague 2. how did oedipus once liberate thebes? - collect answer-Oedipus liberated Thebes by answering the sphinx's riddle 3. why is creon away from thebes when the story opens? - collect 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? - collect answer-According to creon, apollo wants to purify the land of pollution (the plague and the murderer) 5. how was Laius killed? - collect answer-Laius was murdered by many robbers, allegedly 6. why wasn't the death of the king fully investigated? - collect answer-The Sphinx caused them to forget the crime 7. who are the members of the chorus supposed to be - collect answer-The members of the chorus represent the townspeople. 8. briefly summarize the prayer made by the first chorus. - collect answer-The chorus reminds us of the plague and that it is terrible compared to war. They also call upon Apollo.