Oedipus Rex

Scene 2 – Ode 2 Study Guide

Scene 2:

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

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

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

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

5. 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?

6. Explain the irony of Oedipus calling himself wise.

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

8. Who is Jocasta?

9. Why would the Chorus assert that no one is better about to end the feud between Oedipus and Creon than Jocasta?

10. Why does Oedipus release Creon?

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

12. In what way does Creon’s behavior contrast with Oedipus?

13. Why does Jocasta believe Oedipus and Creon should be ashamed of themselves?

14. What does Creon say that persuades Jocasta to urge Oedipus to believe him?

15. Hamartia is the mistake or error committed by a tragic character which in part accounts of his misfortunes. What is Oedipus’ hamartia?

16. For whose sake does Oedipus finally free Creon?

17. What is unusual about Jocasta’s initial reaction when Oedipus reveals the accusation against him?

18. What is the function of the dialogue between Jocasta and the Chorus?

19. What is Jocasta’s opinion of soothsayers? On what does she base this opinion?

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

21. What detail from Jocasta’s story of Laius’ murder pricks Oedipus’ memory? What is significant about Jocasta’s account of Laius’ prophesy and death?

22. After questioning Jocasta about the details of Laius’ death, what does Oedipus suspect? Why is this a significant moment in the play?

23. Why does Sophocles use interrogation as a means of exposition rather than show the scenes of Laius’ death and Oedipus’ encounter with him?

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

25. 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?

26. What does Oedipus relate about his past to explain his fears?

27. Why did Oedipus kill the men at the crossroads?

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

29. What character trait does Oedipus’ killing of Laius reinforce? What will probably prove to be this trait’s dramatic significance?

30. What is ironically similar about the reasons Laius attempted to kill his child, and Oedipus fled Corinth? What does each action suggest about fate and free will?

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

32. How will Oedipus determine whether he was the man who killed Laius?

33. What acts of hubris doe Oedipus and Jocasta commit?

34. How does the Chorus respond to Oedipus’ despair?

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

36. Why is it important to encounter the Chorus throughout the entire scene?

37. Attempt to find a point in scene 2 when four characters converse together.

Ode 2:

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

2. What concerns does the Chorus have about the current state of religious belief?

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

4. What might this warning foreshadow?

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