OEDIPUS REX STUDY GUIDE (HONORS)
What has been happening in Thebes that brings all Members of the community to
Oedipus' palace at the beginning of the play? (p. 12) - Answers :There is sickness and
death because of the death of Laius.
What do the people of the community ask of Oedipus? (p. 12) - Answers :Defense and
Protection
What did Oedipus accomplish which resulted in his being named King of Thebes?
(p.12) - Answers :Released Cadmus' town and Chased the Sphinx away
Why did Oedipus send Creon to Delphi? (p. 13) - Answers :To gather information on
what to do
What does Laius' death have to do with what is currently happening to Thebes? (p. 15) -
Answers :There is nobody to run the city
Oedipus accuses Creon of being behind a plot to destroy him. How does Creon defend
himself against such an accusation? (p. 31) - Answers :Why trade a good life for a life of
tyranny
What proof does Jocasta offer that the prophets do not always tell the truth? (p. 36) -
Answers :Mortal seers cannot predict the future, only divine oracles can.
What is Oedipus' reaction to hearing that Laius was killed in a place where three
highways meet, and why is that his reaction? (pp. 38-39) - Answers :He killed a couple
men in road rage while traveling on a triple road
What has become of the only surviving member of the attack on Kind Laius' party? (p.
37) - Answers :A servant
Why has Oedipus fled his homeland of Corinth? (p. 38) - Answers :He was called a
fraud (Polybus wasn't his father)
What news about Polybus does a messenger bring from Corinth? (p. 44) - Answers
:Polybus died in his bed
When Oedipussays that he still has worries because Merope is alive, what does the
messenger tell him? (p.46) - Answers :She is not your mother
How does Jocasta react to the messenger's news, and what does she urge Oedipus to
do about it? (p. 48) - Answers :She realizes the truth and urges him to stop pursuing it
What has been happening in Thebes that brings all Members of the community to
Oedipus' palace at the beginning of the play? (p. 12) - Answers :There is sickness and
death because of the death of Laius.
What do the people of the community ask of Oedipus? (p. 12) - Answers :Defense and
Protection
What did Oedipus accomplish which resulted in his being named King of Thebes?
(p.12) - Answers :Released Cadmus' town and Chased the Sphinx away
Why did Oedipus send Creon to Delphi? (p. 13) - Answers :To gather information on
what to do
What does Laius' death have to do with what is currently happening to Thebes? (p. 15) -
Answers :There is nobody to run the city
Oedipus accuses Creon of being behind a plot to destroy him. How does Creon defend
himself against such an accusation? (p. 31) - Answers :Why trade a good life for a life of
tyranny
What proof does Jocasta offer that the prophets do not always tell the truth? (p. 36) -
Answers :Mortal seers cannot predict the future, only divine oracles can.
What is Oedipus' reaction to hearing that Laius was killed in a place where three
highways meet, and why is that his reaction? (pp. 38-39) - Answers :He killed a couple
men in road rage while traveling on a triple road
What has become of the only surviving member of the attack on Kind Laius' party? (p.
37) - Answers :A servant
Why has Oedipus fled his homeland of Corinth? (p. 38) - Answers :He was called a
fraud (Polybus wasn't his father)
What news about Polybus does a messenger bring from Corinth? (p. 44) - Answers
:Polybus died in his bed
When Oedipussays that he still has worries because Merope is alive, what does the
messenger tell him? (p.46) - Answers :She is not your mother
How does Jocasta react to the messenger's news, and what does she urge Oedipus to
do about it? (p. 48) - Answers :She realizes the truth and urges him to stop pursuing it
