OEDIPUS REX QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Describe the effects of the plague that has struck Thebes. - Answers :The multitude
have been affected by the plague, including priest, young men, old men, and women.
The herds are sick, the disease is causing infertility, and labor is vain. Thebes is
engulfed in misery, despair, and grief as a result of the plague that has ravaged and laid
waste to the city.
What message about the plague does Creon bring? Where did he get this message? -
Answers :Creon went to the Delphi where the oracle conveyed the message of Apollo:
the murderer of Laius, father of Oedipus and previous king of the city, is in the city of
Thebes. The evil of this one person is spreading throughout the city and causing the
plague. This murderer must be either exiled or killed for the plague to end.
What do the people think of Oedipus? - Answers :Oedipus is a very good king who is
loved by the people. The people look to Oedipus to find the murderer of Laios and lift
plague that ravages the city. This is because Oedipus came through for the people
when he killed the Sphinx that ravaged Thebes. He is very concerned with the health
and well-being of his people. He also allows for all the people to hear what it is the
oracle said.
How does the Chorus react to Tiresias's accusations? - Answers :The Chorus will not
believe any of Tiresias's accusations unless they are shown proof.
Who stops the quarrel between Oedipus and Creon? - Answers :Jocasta stops the
quarrel saying it is shameful to be quarreling while Thebes is dying from the plague.
Why does Iocastê tell Oedipus about her baby? What detail of her story catches
Oedipus's attention? What does he begin to suspect? - Answers :An oracle told Laius
that is death would be at the hands of his own son. As a result, the king pierced the
baby's ankles and left him to die on a mountainside. Jocasta also says that Laius was
killed where three highways meet and Oedipus remembers killing four men at the place
where the three highways come together. Oedipus realizes that he himself is
responsible for the death of Laius.
Whom do Oedipus and Iocastê send for? - Answers :Oedipus sends for the household
servant who was the sole survivor of the attack/Theban shepherd
What does Iocastê say about oracles? How does the Chorus react to her words? -
Answers :Jocasta says that prophets and prophecies are worthless. The Chorus
disregards her words.
Who is the Messenger, and what has he come to tell Oedipus? - Answers :The
messenger has a duel nature he is a Corinthian Messenger and he was a shepherd
some years ago. He has come from Corinth to tell Oedipus that King Polybus is dead
and that the Corinthians want Oedipus to rule.
Describe the effects of the plague that has struck Thebes. - Answers :The multitude
have been affected by the plague, including priest, young men, old men, and women.
The herds are sick, the disease is causing infertility, and labor is vain. Thebes is
engulfed in misery, despair, and grief as a result of the plague that has ravaged and laid
waste to the city.
What message about the plague does Creon bring? Where did he get this message? -
Answers :Creon went to the Delphi where the oracle conveyed the message of Apollo:
the murderer of Laius, father of Oedipus and previous king of the city, is in the city of
Thebes. The evil of this one person is spreading throughout the city and causing the
plague. This murderer must be either exiled or killed for the plague to end.
What do the people think of Oedipus? - Answers :Oedipus is a very good king who is
loved by the people. The people look to Oedipus to find the murderer of Laios and lift
plague that ravages the city. This is because Oedipus came through for the people
when he killed the Sphinx that ravaged Thebes. He is very concerned with the health
and well-being of his people. He also allows for all the people to hear what it is the
oracle said.
How does the Chorus react to Tiresias's accusations? - Answers :The Chorus will not
believe any of Tiresias's accusations unless they are shown proof.
Who stops the quarrel between Oedipus and Creon? - Answers :Jocasta stops the
quarrel saying it is shameful to be quarreling while Thebes is dying from the plague.
Why does Iocastê tell Oedipus about her baby? What detail of her story catches
Oedipus's attention? What does he begin to suspect? - Answers :An oracle told Laius
that is death would be at the hands of his own son. As a result, the king pierced the
baby's ankles and left him to die on a mountainside. Jocasta also says that Laius was
killed where three highways meet and Oedipus remembers killing four men at the place
where the three highways come together. Oedipus realizes that he himself is
responsible for the death of Laius.
Whom do Oedipus and Iocastê send for? - Answers :Oedipus sends for the household
servant who was the sole survivor of the attack/Theban shepherd
What does Iocastê say about oracles? How does the Chorus react to her words? -
Answers :Jocasta says that prophets and prophecies are worthless. The Chorus
disregards her words.
Who is the Messenger, and what has he come to tell Oedipus? - Answers :The
messenger has a duel nature he is a Corinthian Messenger and he was a shepherd
some years ago. He has come from Corinth to tell Oedipus that King Polybus is dead
and that the Corinthians want Oedipus to rule.
