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- 1. Multiple ChoiceOedipusKing of ThebesJocasta's brotherProphet
- 2. Multiple Choice
Jocasta
Oedipus' wife and mother
Oedipus' daugther
The author of the play
- 3. Multiple ChoiceCreonJocasta's brotherKing of ThebesOedipus' wife and mother
- 4. Multiple ChoiceAntigone and IsmeneOedipus' daugthersOedipus' wife and motherThe authors of the play
- 5. Multiple Choice
The Shepherd / Herdsman
Saved Oedipus from death
Jocasta's brother
An oracle
A prophet
- 6. Multiple Choice
Messenger from Corinth (was also a shepherd)
Got baby Oedipus from the Shepherd/Herdsman and brought him to Corinth
Jocasta's brother
Blind prophet
Saved Oedipus from death
- 7. Multiple Choice
Tiresias
Blind prophet
King of Thebes
Oedipus' real father
Saved Oedipus from death
- 8. Multiple Choice
Polybus
Adopted father of Oedipus and king of Corinth
Real father of Oedipus and king of Thebes
Blind prophet
Brother of Jocasta
- 9. Multiple Choice
Laius
Real father of Oedipus
Jocasta's brother
Blind prophet
Adopted father of Oedipus
- 10. Multiple Choice
Sophocles
Author of Oedipus Rex
One of Oedipus' sons
Jocasta's brother
King of Thebes before Oedipus
- 11. Multiple Choice
Why was Oedipus given to a shepherd when he was a baby?
The oracle said Lauis' son would one day kill his father so the baby was sent away to be killed.
Oedipus' parents did not want any children.
Oedipus' parents had wanted a girl.
Oedipus' parents already had a son and heir to the throne.
- 12. Multiple Choice
When Oedipus was a young man ,why did he go to the oracle, and what did the oracle tell him?
To consult the oracle about his family. The oracle told him one day he would have seven children.
To ask the oracle about his future. The oracle told him he would one day be king.
To consult the oracle about his parents. The oracle told him one day he would kill his father and marry his mother.
To consult the oracle about his family. The oracle told him one day he would live a perfect life.
- 13. Multiple Choice
Who are Oedipus' real parents?
King Sophocles & Queen Dionysus
King Laius & Queen Jocasta
King Apollo & Queen Cithareon
Creon and Jacosta
- 14. Multiple Choice
After Oedipus hears the oracle's prophecy, runs away from Corinth, and heads to Thebes instead, what did he do on the way?
Prayed for Apollo's protection and blessing
Accidentally ran over his adopted father Polybus with his chariot
Met the beautiful Jacosta on the road, fell in love with her, and went to Thebes to marry her and become king
Had a road rage incident with a rich man at a crossroads and killed him and everyone he was with.
- 15. Multiple Choice
Why was there a terrible plague in Thebes?
No one was following the rules of the land.
The Sphinx had the city under a spell.
There was no one to rule the kingdom.
Thebes was (unknowingly) harboring the murderer of King Laius.
- 16. Multiple ChoiceAfter the truth was discovered, what did Jocasta do? What did Oedipus do?Jocasta moved away and Oedipus remained king.Jocasta hung her herself and Oedipus stabbed his eyes out.Jocasta divorced Oedipus and Oedipus left.Jocasta and Oedipus continued to rule Thebes.
- 17. Multiple Choice
What does it mean to "invoke" something?
to call upon, plea with, appeal to- usually for help
to destroy completely
to instigate an argument
to encourage or inspire
- 18. Multiple Choice
Which set of character traits best describes Oedipus?
Prideful, Defensive, Stubborn
Loving, Generous, Humble
Witty, Knowledgeable, Wise
Patient, Agreeable, Forgiving, Religious
- 19. Multiple Choice
What is a primary example of dramatic irony in this book?
Oedipus killing his father
Oedipus accusing Creon
Oedipus killing the sphinx
Oedipus' blindness
- 20. Multiple Choice
How does Tiresias play a role in the Motif of Sight/Blindness?
Tiresias has nothing to do with the Motif of Sight/Blindness
Tiresias causes Oedipus to be "blind" to his own reality- both physically and symbolically
Tiresias is blind, but has better sight and awareness than Oedipus
Tiresias is not only physically blind, but also does not have knowledge of the future or the truth about Oedipus
- 21. Multiple Choice
What effect does Fate have on Oedipus?
He falls victim to trying to avoid it
He loses everything that matters to him
Both a and b
He literally blinds himself
- 22. Multiple Choice
Who was accused of killing Lauis before Oedipus was?
the oracle of Delphi
Creon
Polybus
Oedipus was accused first; no one was accused before him
- 23. Multiple Choice
Which is the best description of Tiresias?
He is physically blind but very wise, and everything he says happens in reality. He reveals the truth about Oedipus
He hates Oedipus and want to destroy him so he reveals the truth about him
He wants to take over Thebes and marry Jocasta so he exposes Oedipus
He is jealous of everyone who can physically see and tries to destroy everyone so he can feel better
- 24. Multiple Choice
Which best describes why Jocasta killed herself?
Jocasta felt overwhelmed by reality and had a rough time accepting the truth.
Jocasta felt as if she was responsible for Oedipus's actions.
Jocasta felt unwanted by Oedipus, and felt the only solution was suicide.
Jocasta didn't have a reason for committing suicide.
- 25. Multiple Choice
Who is usually the protagonist of a Greek Tragedy?
the Chorus who represents a "regular" person or the "everyman"
a Greek god
an epic hero
a tragic hero
- 26. Multiple Choice
Downfall from high status, excessive pride, and a mistake in judgement describes who?
Jocasta
Creon
Oedipus
Polybus
- 27. Multiple Choice
Oedipus receives his name because of______________.
a. the Oracle
b. his prophecy
c. his swollen feet
d. Polybus and Merope's love for him
- 28. Multiple Choice
Young Oedipus FIRST questions his identity because________________.
a. a drunk man tells him he is not his father’s son
b. he is in love with his mother
c. the oracle tells him his fate
- 29. Multiple ChoiceOedipus travels into Thebes and is crowned King because_________________.a. Jocasta falls in love with him and she is a widowb. He gets rid of the plaguec. He delivers Thebes from the Sphinx
- 30. Multiple ChoiceOedipus sends for Tiresias who reveals that Oedipus is the cause of the plague. The ___________ is that Tiresias is blind but can see the truth, and Oedipus has sight but refuses to see the truth.a.tragedyb. metaphorc. irony
- 31. Multiple Choice
What feelings does the protagonist in a tragedy create in the audience?
excitement
hope
pity and fear
anger and sadness
- 32. Multiple Choice
Towards the end of the play, who experiences anagnorisis (Greek word meaning "recognition")?
Creon
Jocasta
Tiresias
Oedipus
- 33. Multiple Choice
What is hamartia?
a tragic flaw or mistake in judgement
the purging or cleansing of negative emotions
the hero realizing the truth
the hero's reversal in fate
- 34. Multiple Choice
______ irony is often sarcastic. Oedipus arrogantly tells the Chorus, "You pray to the gods? Let me grant your prayers."
verbal
situational
dramatic
- 35. Multiple Choice
______________ irony is everywhere in the play. At the beginning of the play, Oedipus says that the king's killer will be cursed and either exiled or killed. Later on, this comes true- for him!
verbal
dramatic
situational
- 36. Multiple Choice
What was Oedipus’s tragic flaw?
fate
morals
ignorance
hubris
- 37. Multiple Choice
What tool did Oedipus use to cut his eyes out?
Spoons found on the ground
Sword from the guards
Gold pins from a broach on Jacosta's robe
Silver knives from chef
- 38. Multiple Choice
Why does a tragic hero experience a downfall?
due to his own fatal/tragic flaw
due to the betrayal of family and friends
to show how destiny controls everything, not people's choices
to make audiences hate him
- 39. Multiple Choice
At the beginning of the play, Creon learns what is causing the city’s current trouble from —
a dream
a shepherd
the Theban elders
the oracle at Delphi
- 40. Multiple Choice
What is Oedipus' conspiracy theory after arguing with Tiresias?
That Jacosta was trying to betray him and take over as ruler of Thebes
That Tiresias and Creon conspired against him to take his throne
That the Sphinx was trying to get her revenge on Thebes by driving Oedipus their king insane
That his adopted parents in Corinth were punishing him for leaving
- 41. Multiple Choice
What important news does the messenger from Corinth bring Oedipus?
King Polybus has died.
Apollo has lifted the plague.
Merope has fled the country.
The Sphinx has seized Creon.
- 42. Multiple Choice
Even though Oedipus accepts that he himself is King Lauis' murderer and also learns the news from Corinth, he still hasn't put the whole truth together, and he still fears the prophecy about....
his daughter
his brother
his father
his mother
- 43. Multiple Choice
What do the following characteristics have in common: rage, stubbornness, and excessive pride?
These are all examples of human flaws.
These characteristics contribute to a tragic hero's downfall.
These qualities are what make Oedipus a timeless and relevant character.
All of the above.
- 44. Multiple Choice
Why does Jocasta beg Oedipus to forget about finding out the truth of his identity?
She herself has figured out the horrible truth.
She loves him unconditionally and doesn't think the truth matters.
She wants to protect their four children.
She still doesn't believe in prophecy or destiny.
- 45. Multiple Choice
What is the turning point (climax) of the story?
When Jocasta hangs herself
When the shepherd from Thebes and the messenger from Corinth confirm the truth
When Oedipus argues with Tiresias
When Oedipus asks Creon to watch out for his daughters
- 46. Multiple ChoiceNear the end of the play, Oedipus requests that he be —given a new trialpublicly executedforgivenbanished to a mountain
- 47. Multiple ChoiceOedipus blinds himself and blood pours from his eyes. This act symbolizes a cleansing or purging of sins. In Greek tragedy this is known as:HamartiaExodusEpilogueCatharsis
- 48. Multiple Choice
In promising to find Laius’s murderer at the beginning of the play, Oedipus says, “I take the son’s part, just as though I were his son.” This statement is an example of....
Hyperbole (over-exaggeration)
Imagery
Dramatic irony
Personification
- 49. Multiple ChoiceWhat makes this work of literature still relevant so many centuries later?The personality of the protagonist makes him a relevant character, even in modern times.The play explores what it means to be a good leader.Many people today still debate over the power of fate & free will.All of the above
- 50. Multiple Choice
What is one theme shown in Oedipus Rex?
Fate vs. an individual's free will and choices
Love is blind.
The truth will set you free.
Revenge hurts the avenger more than its victim.
- 51. Multiple Choice
Who becomes king when Oedipus leaves town at the end of the play?
Jocasta
Tiresias
His son, Polyneices
Creon
- 52. Multiple Choice
Oedipus has many reasons for blinding himself. Which of the following is NOT a reason he claimed?
he wants the people of Thebes to see his remorse for what he has done.
he says he could not face his parents in the afterworld.
he wanted to be a blind prophet like Tiresias
he said everything he would see would bring him only sadness
- 53. Multiple Choice
When Oedipus says to his children, "Just thinking about your days to come, the bitterness, the life that rough mankind will thrust upon you," what literary device is being used (given what happens to them in the next play)?
simile
metaphor
foreshaodwing
paradox
- 54. Multiple Choice
Why did Sophocles choose to structure his story around someone as powerful as a king rather than a regular, common man?
To show that kings are often not as they appear.
To show how sinful and deceiving royalty may be.
To show that anyone, regardless of the power they hold, may be flawed and crumble.
To show his disgust with people in power.
- 55. Multiple Choice
What is a function of the chorus?
A. Appealing to the gods
B. Advising characters
C. Speaking on behalf of the general populace
D. All of the above
- 56. Multiple Choice
What is dramatic irony?
A. When the audience knows more than the characters
B. When something unexpected happens
C. When the characters know more than each other
D. When someone says the opposite of what they actually mean
- 57. Multiple Choice
After Jocasta departs, an old man for whom Oedipus had sent for earlier arrives. The old man - mentioned in the play as the shepherd or herdsman - is reluctant to look Oedipus in the eyes and to answer his questions. Why?
He is worried that Oedipus is unaware of King Polypus's (his adoptive father's) death, and the herdsman does not want to have to be the one to tell Oedipus.
The herdsman had an affair with Jocasta years ago and is afraid that he may be Oedipus's real father.
The herdsman knows he will be called on to reveal the facts that he knows - that Oedipus is the child of King Laius and Queen Jocasta as well as King Laius's killer - and he is dreading answering those questions.
His brother - King Laius - was killed by Oedipus, and the herdsman is afraid that if he reveals this information, Oedipus will kill him as well.
- 58. Multiple Choice
What was the answer to the Sphinx's riddle: What goes on four feet in the morning, two feet at noon, and three feet in the evening?
A Man
A bear
A goat
A woman
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