Oedipus the King Review Questions with Verified Solutions

Oedipus the King Review Questions with Verified Solutions 1. Where does the play take place? At the steps of the royal palace 2. Which character begins the play? Oedipus 3. What is Oedipus's attitude toward the suppliants seeking his help? He is caring and empathetic about their suffering and says he will help them. 4. What does the priest ask Oedipus to do? Save Thebes from ruin by the plague 5. What has Oedipus already done? He has already sent Creon to Delphi for direction from the oracle. 6. Who is Creon? Jocasta's brother 7. What is the message from the oracle of Delphi with which Creon returns? To lift the plague, King Laios's murderer must be driven from the land. 8. What prevented Thebes from tracking down the murderer of Laios at the time the murder occurred? Thebes was tormented by the sphinx. 9. What does Oedipus promise to do? To find Laios's murderer and drive him from Thebes, ending the plague. 10. The suppliants are carrying olive boughs (branches) which symbolize peace. Why do you think Oedipus tells the suppliants to take their branches of supplication off the alter? To show that they were successful in obtaining Oedipus's promise of peace to Thebes (p12) 11. To which 3 gods and goddesses does the chorus appeal for rest from their suffering? Apollo, Athena and Artemis (p13) 12. Describe the condition of the people of Thebes as the play begins. The land is barren, women cannot bear children, and people, especially children, are dying. (p13) 13. What will happen to the guilty person if he comes forward and admits his guilt? What will happen if the guilty person doesn't come forward? He can leave peacefully if he comes; violent banishment without any aid if he doesn't. What is the Chorus's response? They think that Oedipus should talk to Tiresias 16. What might be an explanation for Oedipus having to send for Tiresias twice? Teiresias is hesitant to come 17. At his entrance, how is Tiresias described by the Chorus? He is the "holy prophet in whom, alone of all men, truth was born." 18. Why do you think Tiresias wants to leave? Because he doesn't want to tell Oedipus the truth about his fate. 19. What is ironic about Oedipus statement: