Oedipus Rex Study
Oedipus Rex Study Guide
The Prologos 1. What initial step does Oedipus indicate he has already taken? 2. What is the significance of Delphi? What is the message from the oracle at Delphi with which Creon returns? 3. What does Oedipus think about the clue Creon reveals about who murdered King Laios? What might this perception foreshadow? 4. What does Oedipus promise to do at the end of the Prologos? 5. Of what symbolic significance are the olive boughs, strewn at the alter steps as the Thebans address Oedipus? Why does Oedipus tell the suppliants to lift up their olive boughs as they depart?
The Parados 1. In strophe 1, what does the chorus ask? 2. In antistrophe 1, to which god and goddesses does the chorus appeal for rest from their suffering? 3. What is the message of the chorus in strophe 3 and antistrophe 3?
Oedipus Meets Teiresias 1. What is the substance of Oedipus' pledge to the people of Thebes? 2. What might be suggested by the fact that Oedipus had to send twice for Teiresias? 3. Why does Teiresias at first refuse to tell Oedipus the truth? 4. What comparison does Oedipus make between himself and peers like Teiresias? What does this tell us about Oedipus? 5. What truth does Teiresias present to Oedipus in his speeches following the interruption of the Choragos?
Ode 1 1. As ode 1 begins, what does the chorus remind the audience in strophe 1 and antistrophe 1? In strophe 2 and antistrophe 2, the chorus reveals its astonishment at Teiresias' claims. What claim shocks them? 2. When the chorus, in antistrophe 2, debate whether to believe Oedipus or Teiresias, with whom do they side? Why do you suppose Sophocles has the chorus voice this opinion?
Oedipus Accuses Creon 1. What character trait of Oedipus is revealed by the fact that Oedipus accuses Creon of treason without first hearing his side? 2. What rational argument does Creon use to convince Oedipus that he has no designs on the throne of Thebes?
The Prologos 1. What initial step does Oedipus indicate he has already taken? 2. What is the significance of Delphi? What is the message from the oracle at Delphi with which Creon returns? 3. What does Oedipus think about the clue Creon reveals about who murdered King Laios? What might this perception foreshadow? 4. What does Oedipus promise to do at the end of the Prologos? 5. Of what symbolic significance are the olive boughs, strewn at the alter steps as the Thebans address Oedipus? Why does Oedipus tell the suppliants to lift up their olive boughs as they depart?
The Parados 1. In strophe 1, what does the chorus ask? 2. In antistrophe 1, to which god and goddesses does the chorus appeal for rest from their suffering? 3. What is the message of the chorus in strophe 3 and antistrophe 3?
Oedipus Meets Teiresias 1. What is the substance of Oedipus' pledge to the people of Thebes? 2. What might be suggested by the fact that Oedipus had to send twice for Teiresias? 3. Why does Teiresias at first refuse to tell Oedipus the truth? 4. What comparison does Oedipus make between himself and peers like Teiresias? What does this tell us about Oedipus? 5. What truth does Teiresias present to Oedipus in his speeches following the interruption of the Choragos?
Ode 1 1. As ode 1 begins, what does the chorus remind the audience in strophe 1 and antistrophe 1? In strophe 2 and antistrophe 2, the chorus reveals its astonishment at Teiresias' claims. What claim shocks them? 2. When the chorus, in antistrophe 2, debate whether to believe Oedipus or Teiresias, with whom do they side? Why do you suppose Sophocles has the chorus voice this opinion?
Oedipus Accuses Creon 1. What character trait of Oedipus is revealed by the fact that Oedipus accuses Creon of treason without first hearing his side? 2. What rational argument does Creon use to convince Oedipus that he has no designs on the throne of Thebes?