Oedipus and Antigone Exam 2026
Questions and Answers
What the does the priest say to Oedipus? - Correct answer-The priest tells Oedipus
about the plague that ravages Thebes. He begs Oedipus to resolve the crisis
reminding him he solved the riddle of the Sphinx before. Finally the priest tells
Oedipus that it is in his own self-interest to rid the city of the plague.
What qualities do we immediately see in Oedipus? - Correct answer-Oedipus is a
king who is compassionate, proud, efficient and intelligent. His decision to send
Creon to Delphi demonstrates his forethought. His excessive pride, however, will
lead him into trouble. He is hubristic, which is his tragic flaw, a flaw that leads him
to his downfall.
What is the importance of irony in Oedipus the King? What ironies are introduced
in the prologue? - Correct answer-The priest asserts that Oedipus is blessed by the
gods and wise in mortal ways. But the Greeks knew that the god's curse of infamy
and shame already looms over the king. They also recognized that wisdom would
come to Oedipus only after he solved the mystery of his identity. Another irony is
Oedipus' reputation for being Thebes' savior. As the unknown and unknowing
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, killer of Laius, Oedipus is the very cause of the plague. Oedipus says he never met
Laius, but in fact he not only met him but killed him.
What news does Creon bring from Delphi? - Correct answer-The oracle told Creon
that the death of Oedipus' predecessor, King Laius, is the cause of the plague.
Laius' killer must be found and expelled from the kingdom to lift the plague from
the city. Creon also explains that Laius was killed on a road by a band of
highwaymen. The danger of the riddling Sphinx prevented a proper investigation
of the murder.
What is the mood of the chorus upon its entrance? What appeals do they make? -
Correct answer-The chorus of Theban senators is fearful of the plague and
suppliant toward any god who might relieve the city's plight. The chorus appeals to
the gods Apollo, Athena, Artemis, Ares and finally Bacchus/Dionyssius.
In what ways does Oedipus criticize his subjects? - Correct answer-Oedipus
implicitly scolds the chorus for failing to find Laius' killer long ago. Did it take a
plague and an oracle to spur Thebes to seek out the criminal? There is perhaps
some justification in this criticism. Oedipus' single-mindedness stands in
immediate contrast to the hesitation of the Thebans.
What initial signs of rashness do we see in Oedipus? - Correct answer-Oedipus
shows signs of rashness making certain decisions concerning the killer. He invokes
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Questions and Answers
What the does the priest say to Oedipus? - Correct answer-The priest tells Oedipus
about the plague that ravages Thebes. He begs Oedipus to resolve the crisis
reminding him he solved the riddle of the Sphinx before. Finally the priest tells
Oedipus that it is in his own self-interest to rid the city of the plague.
What qualities do we immediately see in Oedipus? - Correct answer-Oedipus is a
king who is compassionate, proud, efficient and intelligent. His decision to send
Creon to Delphi demonstrates his forethought. His excessive pride, however, will
lead him into trouble. He is hubristic, which is his tragic flaw, a flaw that leads him
to his downfall.
What is the importance of irony in Oedipus the King? What ironies are introduced
in the prologue? - Correct answer-The priest asserts that Oedipus is blessed by the
gods and wise in mortal ways. But the Greeks knew that the god's curse of infamy
and shame already looms over the king. They also recognized that wisdom would
come to Oedipus only after he solved the mystery of his identity. Another irony is
Oedipus' reputation for being Thebes' savior. As the unknown and unknowing
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
, killer of Laius, Oedipus is the very cause of the plague. Oedipus says he never met
Laius, but in fact he not only met him but killed him.
What news does Creon bring from Delphi? - Correct answer-The oracle told Creon
that the death of Oedipus' predecessor, King Laius, is the cause of the plague.
Laius' killer must be found and expelled from the kingdom to lift the plague from
the city. Creon also explains that Laius was killed on a road by a band of
highwaymen. The danger of the riddling Sphinx prevented a proper investigation
of the murder.
What is the mood of the chorus upon its entrance? What appeals do they make? -
Correct answer-The chorus of Theban senators is fearful of the plague and
suppliant toward any god who might relieve the city's plight. The chorus appeals to
the gods Apollo, Athena, Artemis, Ares and finally Bacchus/Dionyssius.
In what ways does Oedipus criticize his subjects? - Correct answer-Oedipus
implicitly scolds the chorus for failing to find Laius' killer long ago. Did it take a
plague and an oracle to spur Thebes to seek out the criminal? There is perhaps
some justification in this criticism. Oedipus' single-mindedness stands in
immediate contrast to the hesitation of the Thebans.
What initial signs of rashness do we see in Oedipus? - Correct answer-Oedipus
shows signs of rashness making certain decisions concerning the killer. He invokes
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