Oedipus Rex Part 1

Question 1

Oedipus Rex open with a question: “Why are you here?” What is the answer? What brings the suppliants to Oedipus?

Answer 1

Thebes is overcome with a plague so the people go to Oedipus because their crops are dying, the people are dying, and Thebes is dying.

Question 2

Give a quote and explain how it supports how Oedipus is confident

Answer 2

line 245- “You pray to the gods? Let me grant you prayers”

- not only can the gods help, but he can too.

Question 3

Give a quote and explain how it supports how Oedipus is caring

Answer 3

page 169- “Now you have me to fight for you, you’ll see. I am the lands avenger by all rights.”
- this quote illustrates Oedipus’s want to help his people and fight for them.

Question 4

Give a quote and explain how it supports how Oedipus is prideful

Answer 4

line 8- “You all know me; the world knows my fame.”

- he knows he’s famous so he’s cocky.

Question 5

Give a quote and explain how it supports how Oedipus is quick-tempered

Answer 5

page 145- “Nothing! You, you scum of the earth, you’d enrage a heart of stone!”
- after Tiresias refuses to say anything Oedipus is quick to insult him.

Question 6

Quote a metaphor from part 1 and then explain the comparison being made.

Answer 6

“Our city- look around you, see with your own eyes- our ship pitches wildly, cannot lift her head from the depths, the red waves of death.”

• comparing Thebes to a lost ship

Question 7

Write a paragraph that explains the reasons why the Priest says “Thebes is dying.” Make sure your topic sentence includes the statement above and the documentation. As you explain the reasons, quote words and phrases from the text and cite the line numbers.

Answer 7

Thebes is dying because of “a blight on the fresh crops and the rich pastures” (line 31-32), the cattle are dying, the women are dying in labor but “children stillborn” (line 33). The plague is killing many. “Black death luxuriates in the raw.” (line 37-38). The foundation of their city is being destroyed.

Question 8

Besides “King,” what are 3 other names the Priest calls Oedipus? And state why the Priest has such confidence in Oedipus.

Answer 8

1. first of men
2. best of men
3. savior
   - Oedipus defeated the sphinx which no one else could.

Question 9

Who is Creon?

Answer 9

The brother of Queen Jocasta

Question 10

Creon has been to consult the Oracle of Delphi. Explain who/what that is.

Answer 10

Prophetess, she is able to tell the truth about Apollo’s words.

Question 11

Using quoted words and phrases, explain the message Oedipus receives from the Oracle.

Answer 11

“Drive the corruption from the land, don’t harbor it any longer, past all cure, don’t nurse it in your soil- root it out!” (line 107-112)
- The Oracle is telling him to find who murdered Laius and get rid of them.

Question 12

What information does Creon give Oedipus on page 168?

Answer 12

Apollo said to drive out the corruption and find who killed Laius.

Question 13

What is ironic about line 119: “I never saw the man myself.”

Answer 13

It’s ironic because when he says “the man” he is really talking about himself.

Question 14

Explain the “slip” Oedipus makes when he says, “A thief/so daring, wild, he’s kill a king? Impossible…”
Also, explain the irony in the same lines.

Answer 14

He subconsciously knows knows he killed the King because the people say “thieves” (plural) whiles he says “thief” (singular).
- it’s ironic because he really did kill a King.

Question 15

Explain the irony in line 150: “I’ll bring it all to light myself!”

Answer 15

It’s ironic because this means he’s going to bring himself to light.

Question 16

What “proclamation” does Oedipus make on page 171?

Answer 16

If anyone knows who the murderer is and they come forward they will be exiled.

Question 17

If everyone remains “silent” in regards to the murderer, what does Oedipus order them to do? Using quoted words and phrases, mention 4 things he commands.

Answer 17

1. Banish this man
2. Never speak a word to him
3. Never shelter him
4. Never make him partners to your prayers

Question 18

How does Oedipus curse the murderer? Quote the curse exactly.
- What is ironic about this curse? Use quoted words and phrases in your answer.

Answer 18

line 280-283: “let that man drag out his life in agony step by painful step.”
- It’s ironic because Oedipus walks with a limp so he knows the pain in each step. He says, “I curse myself.”

Question 19

What suggestion does the Leader of the Chorus make to Oedipus?
- How does Oedipus show that he has been thinking on step ahead of the leader?

Answer 19

That Oedipus should listen to Tiresias because he is wise and knows the truth.
- He already sent Creon to get Tiresias.

Question 20

An epigram is a short poem or saying that provides truth or wisdom. Read Oedipus’ speech (lines 341-358) and write down the epigram you find.
“O Tiresias, master of all the mysteries of our life, all you teach and all you dare not tell, signs in the heavens, sings that walk the earth! Blind as you are, you can feel all the more what sickness haunts our city. You, my lord, are the one shield, the one savior we can find. We asked Apollo- perhaps the messengers haven’t told you- he sent his answer back: “relief from the plague can only come one way. Uncover the murderers of Laius, put them to death or drive them into exile.” So i beg you, grudge us nothing now, no voice, no message plucked from the birds, the embers or the other mantic ways within your grasp. Rescue yourself, your city, rescue me- rescue everything infected by the dead. We are in your hands. For a man to help others with all his gifts and native strength: that is the noblest work.

Answer 20

“For a man to help others with all his gifts and native strength that is the noblest work.” (lines 357-359)

Question 21

According to Tiresias, what is “terrible”?

Answer 21

The truth

Question 22

In the conversation with Oedipus on page 175, Tiresias identifies a flaw in Oedipus’ character. Quote the line that does this.

Answer 22

“You criticize my temper… unaware of the one you live with, you revile me.” (line 384-385)

Question 23

What does Oedipus say to Tiresias that shoes he is beginning to become unreasonable?

Answer 23

He starts insulting him, and calls him “scum of the earth.”

Question 24

Quote 2 lines where Tiresias gives Oedipus the truth.

Answer 24

1. “You are the curse, the corruption of the land.” (401)

2. “I say you are the murderer you hunt.” (413)

Question 25

Quote a line in which Tiresias mocks Oedipus.

Answer 25

“I pity you, flinging at me the very insults each man here will fling at you so soon.”

Question 26

In what way does Oedipus mock Tiresias? Use quoted words in your answer.

Answer 26

“It does, but not for you old man; you’ve lost your power, stone-blind, stone deaf, senses- eyes blind as stone. (lines 423-424)

Question 27

What accusation does Oedipus make about Creon?

- Why does he accuse Creon in this way?

Answer 27

That he is working secretly with Tiresias against him. The conspiracy is Creon’s.
- He thinks he doesn’t know what he is talking about.????

Question 28

Why is Oedipus so eager to know who his father is?

Answer 28

Tiresias mentions Oedipus’s parents and Oedipus remembers the curse on him.

Question 29

Explain what Tiresias means in line 499: “This day will bring your birth and your destruction.”

Answer 29

There will be a day where he will find out the truth about his parents (birth), but this will be very hard for him to hear (destruction).

Question 30

Explain the prediction for Oedipus that Tiresias gives in lines 517-519.
- Explain how this image in line 519 is reminiscent of the Sphinx’s riddle.

Answer 30

???Tiresias says a man named Theben will rise up and revolt.
- This line says Oedipus will need a cane because he’s blind and part of the Sphinx’s riddle is that the man will walk on 3 legs (with a cane)

Question 31

Why does the Chorus remain loyal to Oedipus? Quote the line that shows their loyalty.

Answer 31

He saved them from the sphinx, and they stay loyal to him because he’s their King. There’s no proof against him for them to be disloyal.
“I know of nothing, not in the past and not now, no charge to bring against our King, no cause to attack his fame that rings throughout Thebes-not without proof…” (line 556)