English 022 Name_______________Mrs. Wiley

Oedipus Rex

The Prologue

1. Where does the play take place?

2. Which character begins the play? Why might Sophocles have selected this character to introduce the play?

3. Oedipus identifies the citizens of Thebes as “generations living in the line of Cadmus (Kadmus). Who was Cadmus?

4. Which three characters speak in the Prologos of the play? What attitude does Oedipus assume toward the suppliants seeking his help?

5. Who are Pallas Athene and Apollo? Why are these deities mentioned in the Prologos?

6. What does the priest ask Oedipus to do?

7. What initial step does Oedipus indicate he has already taken?

8. What is the significance of Delphi?

9. Who is Creon?

10. What is the message from the oracle?

11. What single clue about the murder of King Laius is revealed by Creon?

12. What does Oedipus think about this clue? What might this perception foreshadow?

13. What research method is Oedipus encouraged to use to discover who the murderer of Laius is?

14. What prevented Thebes from tracking down the murderer of Laius at the time the murder occurred?

15. What was the Sphinx?

16. What is the riddle of the Sphinx? What is the answer?

17. Who solved the riddle of the Sphinx? What happened to the Sphinx after the riddle was solved?

18. How was Thebes tortured by the Sphinx? What happened to Thebes as a result of solving the riddle? What prizes did Thebes give to the one who solved the riddle?

19. What does Oedipus promise to do at the end of the Prologs?

20. Of what symbolic significance are the olive boughs, strewn at the altar steps as theThebans address Oedipus? (Look up symbolism of olive branches.) 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. In strophe 2 and antistrophe 2, the chorus bewails their situation in Thebes. Describe the condition of the people of Thebes as the play begins.

4. What is the message of the chorus in strophe 3 and antistrophe 3?

5. At the conclusion of antistrophe 2, to what new god and his attendants does the chorus appeal for safety from death?

6. Compare the verse of the Parados with that of the Prologue. What do you see?

Oedipus Meets Teiresias

1. How does Sophocles connect the Parados to scene 1 (episode 1)?

2. What is the substance of Oedipus’ pledge to the people of Thebes?

3. What does Oedipus think is unlucky about Laius’ fatherhood? What actually was unlucky about Laius’ fatherhood?

4. Who were Labdacus and Polydorus?

5. Who is the Choragos, and what is his task in scene 1?

6. What might be suggested by the fact that Oedipus had to send twice for Teresias?

7. At his entrance, how is Teresias described by the Choragos? What audience attitude should this description establish?

8. In what method of augury or divination do the Ancient Greeks believe?

9. Why does Teresias at first refuse to tell Oedipus the truth?

10. How does Oedipus react when Teresias reveals to him the truth?

11. Whom does Oedipus assume is behind Teresias’ claims? Why?

12. What comparison does Oedipus make between himself and persons such as Teresias? What does this tell us about Oedipus?

13. When the Choragos intercedes between the argument of Oedipus and Teresias, of what does he remind Oedipus?

14. What truths does Teiresias present to Oedipus in his speeches following the interruption of the Choragos?

Teiresias and the Paradox of Blindness

Answer these questions after you have reviewed the Oedipus reading notes.

Explain the paradox of blindness in each of the following examples from Oedipus Rex.

1. Oedipus (to Teiresias): You child of endless night. You can not hurt me or any other man who sees the sun.

2. Teiresias (to Oedipus): Listen to me. You mock my blindness, do you? But I say that you, with both your eyes, are blind.

3. Teiresias (to Oedipus): You do not even know the blind wrongs/That you have done {by your parents}, on earth and in the world below.

4. Teiresias (to Oedipus): But the double lash of your parents’ curse will whip you/Out of this land some day, with only night upon your precious eyes.

5. Once Oedipus discovers his true identity, he blinds himself.

Oedipus Accuses Creon

1. As ode 1 begins, what does the chorus remind the audience in strophe 1 and antistrophe 1?

2. In strophe 2 and antistrophe 2, the chorus reveals its astonishment at Teiresias’ claims. What claim shocks them?

3. 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?

4. How does Sophocles connect ode 1 to scene 2?

5. Why is it significant that Creon appears without Oedipus as scene 2 opens?

6. What character trait of Oedipus is revealed by the fact that Oedipus accuses Creon of treason without first hearing his side?

7. What rational argument does Creon use to convince Oedipus that he has no designs on the throne of Thebes?

8. When the argument between Oedipus and Creon breaks into irrational verbal parrying, who intercedes to remind them of their responsibility to act rationally? How is this scene reminiscent of scene 1?

9. What seems to be the role of the Choragos? In responding to the Choragos, what evidence of hubris, or self-will, do we see in Oedipus?

10. Who is Jocasta?

11. Why does Oedipus release Creon?

12. What is prophetic about Creon’s remark that “Natures like yours chiefly torment themselves”?

13. Harmartia is the mistake or error committed by a tragic character which in part accounts for his misfortunes. What is Oedipus’ harmartia?

14. What is the function of the dialogue between Jocasta and the Choragos?

15. What proof does Jocasta offer to support her opinion that mortal man is incapable of divination?

16. What details from Jocasta’s story of Laius’ murder pricks Oedipus’ memory?

17. What eyewitness to the murder of Laius still exists? What is foreshadowed by the servant’s request to leave Teresias as soon as he discovers Oedipus on the throne?

18. Compare Oedipus’ version of his oracle with the oracle given Jocasta and Laius about their son. Why does Sophocles reveal “both oracles” in the same episode?

19. What is revealed about Oedipus’ personality by his description of the encounter he had with the old man where three roads meet?

20. Oedipus begins to suspect the truth and clings to the hope that Laius was killed by a band of marauders. If not, he says,” When is a man more miserable than I?” Who is scene 1 issued essentially the same statement about Oedipus?

21. How does the Choragos respond to Oedipus’ despair?

22. What is foreshadowed when Oedipus states that the one detail of the Shepherd’s tale is the only hope left to him?

23. Why is it important to encounter the Choragos thorough out the entire scene?

24. Attempt to find a point in scene 2 when four characters converse together. Remember the Choragos is part of the chorus.

The Messenger from Corinth

1. How does the chorus feel about the laws of the Universe?

2. What warning does the chorus voice in ode 2?

3. What might the warning foreshadow?

4. What worry does the chorus express just before Jocasta enters in scene 3?

5. Discuss the irony in the opening of scene 3, where Jocasta burns incense as a tribute to the gods.

6. In an analogy, Jocasta equates Oedipus to a helmsman. What is a helmsman, and why is this an appropriate analogy? Give a modern day example of someone who could be considered a helmsman in the same way as Oedipus.

7. Describe the entrance of the messenger from Corinth.

8. What information does the messenger bring? According to the messenger, why should the information comfort Oedipus? According to the clues thus far, especially considering the oracle at Delphi, why should this news comfort Oedipus?

9. What does Jocasta say to the gods after learning of the death of Polybus? In light of the caveat (warning) in ode 2, what might her statement foreshadow?

10. What attitude toward the gods does Oedipus exhibit after learning of Polybus’ death? Again in light of ode 2, what is foreshadowed by Oedipus’ statement? What effect upon the audience might the similarity of reactions of Oedipus and Jocasta have?

11. Though Oedipus is still comforted that Polybus, his father, died of natural causes, what aspect of the oracle still troubles Oedipus?

12.What is the ironic occurrence when the messenger from Corinth, thinking he is offering Oedipus comfort with his insight, reveals to Oedipus that Polybus and Merope are NOT the natural parents of Oedipus? Explain the scene as an example of peripetia.

13. How does the messenger prove that Oedipus was not the child of Polybus and Merope?

14. Why does Jocasta so insistently attempt to stop Oedipus’ questioning of the messenger? What has Jocasta discovered through the messenger’s story?

15. What final clue remains for the shepherd to reveal in scene 4?

16. What incredible coincidences surround the appearance of the messenger from Corinth and the shepherd? Is such coincidence possible in real life? Why might modern audiences believe LESS in such coincidence than an ancient Greek audience?

17. Jocasta’s exit line is significant. The only words she can call Oedipus is “miserable.” Why can she not call him husband? Why can she not call him son?

18. Explain the irony in Oedipus’ statement: “I am a child of Luck.” Explain the juxtaposition (Look up the definition of this word!) of this statement to Jocasta’s apostrophe, “Ah miserable.”

19. In ode 3 Cithaeron is again mentioned. What is Cithaeron, and how is it connected to Oedipus? Refer to scene 3.

20. What is the effect created by juxtaposing the pastoral imagery (look up the definition of pastoral imagery) of ode 3 with scene 3? What might this suggest bout scene 4?

The Final Clue

1. Why is it important to establish the trustworthiness of the long awaited shepherd? Who attests to his trustworthiness? How is this in keeping with his previous scenes?

2. Discuss the effect of the stichomythic dialogue (Check the Oedipus reading notes on the web page) between Oedipus and the shepherd.

3. Oedipus as an archetype of tragic man is reinforced when the shepherd states: “For if you are what this man says you are, no man living is more wretched than Oedipus.” What three heinous sins has Oedipus committed sins which were unspeakable and unforgiven in ancient Greek society?

4. At the end of scene 4, what apostrophe does Oedipus utter as he prepares to enter the palace? Consider your previous study of light imagery. Why is “Light” capitalized? What does Light symbolize at this final point? What might that apostrophe directed to Light foreshadow for the Exodos or final scene of the play?

5. Explain scene 4 as the anagnorisis of the play.

6. In ode 4, the chorus refers to Oedipus as king for the last time. The ancient Greeks had two words for monarch, depending on how the individual became ruler. If he assumed the throne through heroic deeds, he was called “Tyrannos.” The individual who became monarch through birthright was called “Rex” (king). Why is it BOTH appropriate and ironic that the chorus no longer calls Oedipus Tyrannos, but rather refers to him the first time as King (Rex)?

7. Of what symbolic significance is the discussion of light and dark images in ode 4? Why are day and night mentioned together? Why are vision and blindness juxtaposed? Why are waking and sleeping juxtaposed?

8. What major contrast in the predicament of Oedipus does the chorus articulate in ode 4? What support does this situation provide for the Greek belief in the GOLDEN MEAN?

Recognizing Irony – read the Oedipus notes on irony before completing this section.

Explain why the following examples are ironic and label them as verbal, situational, or dramatic irony.

1. At the opening of scene 1, Oedipus states, “Until now I was a stranger to this tale, as I had been a stranger to the crime.”

2. In scene 3 the messenger from Corinth calls himself Oedipus’ “savior.”

3. At the end of scene 3, Oedipus asks, “How could I wish that I were someone else? How could I not be glad to know my birth?”

4. Teiresias, the prophet, is blind.

Find two more examples of irony on your own from Oedipus Rex. Explain and identify.

5.

6.

Unraveling the Mystery

1. The ancient Greeks did not allow gory scenes to be portrayed upon the stage, but rather required that such scenes be narrated by a character. What tales of horror does the palace messenger relate to the audience? What happened to Jocasta? To Oedipus?

2. How does our society feel about on screen violence and gore? Why?

3. Why might it be significant that Oedipus blinded himself with the golden brooches from Jocasta’s gown?

4. What two heinous sins can now be added to the list committed by the royal line of Labdakos? What were the first two sins?

5. Since throughout the play Oedipus has been described as the helmsman for the State, why it is significant that he now wonders where he will find safe harbor in this world?

6. Again, what character remains to comfort Oedipus? How does this complete the characterization of the chorus?

7. Why does Oedipus choose blinding himself rather than suicide? Is this an act of bravery or cowardice? Justify your opinion.

8. Who is the ruler of Thebes now? Why is this ironic considering events from earlier in the play?

9. What requests does Oedipus make of Creon?

10. What future does Oedipus predict for his daughters?

11. Why should the audience realize that these predictions will become reality?

12. How does Creon exert his authority at the end of the play? What might this behavior foreshadow for the remaining plays in the trilogy?

13. What parting caveat does the chorus issue as they depart? What message does this caveat have for mortal man? Agree or disagree?

14. Explain the catharsis the audience expects as a result of the Exodos.

15. In Greek, the name Oedipus (Oida Pous) meant both “swell foot and club foot” and “on the track of knowledge.” Why is Oedipus’ name so significant in the play?

Comparing Oedipus the King to Aristotle’s Definition of Tragedy. – read the Oedipus class notes on tragedy before completing this section.

1. What is the central action or purpose of Oedipus Rex?

2. What is the element of pathos expressed in the play?

3. When does the reversal of situation (peripetia) occur?

4. When does the recognition (anagnorisis) occur?

5. When does the pathos (scene of suffering) occur?

6. Why is Oedipus Rex considered to be a complex plot?

7. Is the plot of Oedipus Rex ethically or pathetically motivated?

8. Why would the story of Oedipus seem probable to the audience in the fifth century, B.C.?

9. What divisions in Oedipus Rex constitute the complication of the play?

10. What divisions in Oedipus Rex constitute the unraveling or dénouement of the play?

11. Prove this statement: Oedipus Rex is unified by one complete and serious action, of a certain magnitude.

12. Of what element does the chorus consistently remind the audience in choric odes?

13. How do Oedipus, Jocasta, Creon, and Teiresias support the central action of the play?

14. Why is Oedipus a model tragic hero?

15. What is the universal truth about the fate of Oedipus?

Interpretation of Choral Odes – Read the Oedipus notes on the Role of the Chorus before completing this section.

Choral Passage Summary of Passage Reason for Placement

Parados

Ode 1

Ode 2

Ode 4

Exodus

Oedipus as an Archetype – Read the Oedipus class notes before completing this section.

Literary critics identify two archetypal motifs in Oedipus the King: “the quest,” and “the king-as-sacrificial-scapegoat.”

The QuestThe hero undertakes an arduous journey during which he must perform impossible tasks and overcome insurmountable obstacles in order to save the kingdom.

The King-as-Sacrificial-ScapegoatThe hero, with whom the welfare of the people is identified, must be sacrificed to atone for the people’s sins and save the kingdom.

Explain Oedipus as a hero on a quest:

Explain Oedipus as a sacrificial scapegoat:

Since archetypes are universal and humans collectively respond to archetypes with basic and similar reactions, discuss other literary works, films, or current events in which you see either the quest or sacrificial scapegoat motif.

Quest motif

a)

b)

c)

Sacrificial Scapegoat motif

a)

b)

c)

Lessons from the Past – Explain how these quotes from Oedipus have significance in your life today. How are the messages within the quotes pertinent to who you are and what you believe? Support your position.

Quote Significance Today

1. “How dreadful knowledge of the truth can be when there is no help in truth!”

2. “It is the truth that sustains me.”

3“A true friend is thrown aside – why life itself is not more precious!”

4. “Judgments too quickly formed are dangerous.”

5. “And any mortal who dares hold no immortal Power in awe will be caught up in a net of pain.”

6. “The greatest griefs are those we cause ourselves.”

7. “…and let none presume on his good fortune until he finds at his death a memory without pain.”

@The Center for Learning. Used with permission.