OEDIPUS REX TEST QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS
Give 3 conventions of Greek Tragedy ANSW✅✅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? ANSW✅✅Sophocles
From the introduction on page 201, what are 3 of the underlying themes that the play will explore?
ANSW✅✅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? ANSW✅✅Thebes
What problem is afflicting Thebes at this time? In what ways is this problem hurting the city?
ANSW✅✅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? ANSW✅✅Oedipus became the King
of Thebes by killing the sphinx by answering it's riddle
Who is Creon? ANSW✅✅Jocasta's brother
When Creon returns what information does he report to Oedipus? What have the gods
commanded? ANSW✅✅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? ANSW✅✅King Laius
What happened to the former King? How did it happen? Why was this crime not solved?
ANSW✅✅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.
, Why were Greek dramas originally performed? What was this God in charge of? ANSW✅✅Greek
dramas were originally performed honoring Dionysus, the god of wine, fertility, and rebirth.
Briefly define "Tragedy". What does the word tragedy come from? ANSW✅✅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?
ANSW✅✅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 ANSW✅✅harmony is the ruling principle of the
universe, independence of thought, and a new way of thinking and looking at the world
What curse does Oedipus put on anyone that knows the murderer but doesn't speak out?
ANSW✅✅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? ANSW✅✅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? ANSW✅✅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? ANSW✅✅a blind seer
When he is called to Oedipus, what does Teiresias refuse to do? Why? ANSW✅✅Teiresias refuses
to tell Oedipus who the murderer is because it's Oedipus and he doesn't want him to overreact.
Who does Teiresias say is the murderer? ANSW✅✅Oedipus
Who does Oedipus think is out to take his throne/steal his power? ANSW✅✅the murderer
CORRECT ANSWERS
Give 3 conventions of Greek Tragedy ANSW✅✅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? ANSW✅✅Sophocles
From the introduction on page 201, what are 3 of the underlying themes that the play will explore?
ANSW✅✅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? ANSW✅✅Thebes
What problem is afflicting Thebes at this time? In what ways is this problem hurting the city?
ANSW✅✅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? ANSW✅✅Oedipus became the King
of Thebes by killing the sphinx by answering it's riddle
Who is Creon? ANSW✅✅Jocasta's brother
When Creon returns what information does he report to Oedipus? What have the gods
commanded? ANSW✅✅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? ANSW✅✅King Laius
What happened to the former King? How did it happen? Why was this crime not solved?
ANSW✅✅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.
, Why were Greek dramas originally performed? What was this God in charge of? ANSW✅✅Greek
dramas were originally performed honoring Dionysus, the god of wine, fertility, and rebirth.
Briefly define "Tragedy". What does the word tragedy come from? ANSW✅✅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?
ANSW✅✅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 ANSW✅✅harmony is the ruling principle of the
universe, independence of thought, and a new way of thinking and looking at the world
What curse does Oedipus put on anyone that knows the murderer but doesn't speak out?
ANSW✅✅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? ANSW✅✅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? ANSW✅✅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? ANSW✅✅a blind seer
When he is called to Oedipus, what does Teiresias refuse to do? Why? ANSW✅✅Teiresias refuses
to tell Oedipus who the murderer is because it's Oedipus and he doesn't want him to overreact.
Who does Teiresias say is the murderer? ANSW✅✅Oedipus
Who does Oedipus think is out to take his throne/steal his power? ANSW✅✅the murderer
