Oedipus Rex Test UPDATED Actual Exam
Questions and CORRECT Answers
Why were Greek dramas originally performed? What was this God in charge of? -
CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔Greek dramas were originally performed honoring Dionysus, the
god of wine, fertility, and rebirth.
Briefly define "Tragedy". What does the word tragedy come from? - CORRECT ANSWER-
✔✔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? -
CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔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 - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔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 - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔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? - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔Sophocles
From the introduction on page 201, what are 3 of the underlying themes that the play will
explore? - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔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? - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔Thebes
, What problem is afflicting Thebes at this time? In what ways is this problem hurting the city?
- CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔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? - CORRECT ANSWER-
✔✔Oedipus became the King of Thebes by killing the sphinx by answering it's riddle
Who is Creon? - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔Jocasta's brother
When Creon returns what information does he report to Oedipus? What have the gods
commanded? - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔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? - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔King Laius
What happened to the former King? How did it happen? Why was this crime not solved? -
CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔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? -
CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔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? - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔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? - CORRECT ANSWER-
✔✔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? - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔a blind seer
Questions and CORRECT Answers
Why were Greek dramas originally performed? What was this God in charge of? -
CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔Greek dramas were originally performed honoring Dionysus, the
god of wine, fertility, and rebirth.
Briefly define "Tragedy". What does the word tragedy come from? - CORRECT ANSWER-
✔✔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? -
CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔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 - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔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 - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔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? - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔Sophocles
From the introduction on page 201, what are 3 of the underlying themes that the play will
explore? - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔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? - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔Thebes
, What problem is afflicting Thebes at this time? In what ways is this problem hurting the city?
- CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔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? - CORRECT ANSWER-
✔✔Oedipus became the King of Thebes by killing the sphinx by answering it's riddle
Who is Creon? - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔Jocasta's brother
When Creon returns what information does he report to Oedipus? What have the gods
commanded? - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔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? - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔King Laius
What happened to the former King? How did it happen? Why was this crime not solved? -
CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔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? -
CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔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? - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔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? - CORRECT ANSWER-
✔✔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? - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔a blind seer
