Oedipus Rex Read Aloud Tasks
Directions: We read the play aloud, changing parts each day and skipping the Odes. Depending on class length, this takes anywhere from 6-8 days. While reading, they have out a “task sheet” to work on. Some tasks they complete as we read, and some I assign at the stopping point for the day and it’s homework for the next day (though not too much). I don’t collect the task sheets until after we finish reading the play, so that they can catch up on tasks if needed. I exempt absent students from the “while reading” tasks, since they already have to catch up on reading on their own time. You can mix these up, add, or subtract as fits your reading schedule!
Task 1 – After Finishing Prologue – Draw an image that represents the various elements/scenes in the prologue – some can be symbolic images
Task 2 – Throughout Scene I – Record “Words of Wisdom” – minimum of two phrases and why you believe it is wise
Task 3 – End of Scene I – Write a “News in Brief” article for the next day’s newspaper as if you are Choragos and just witnessed the conversation between Oedipus and Teiresius
Task 4 – Throughout Scene II – Record “Power Words” – not words necessarily about strength/power (though they could be), but words that demonstrate strong/powerful word choice by the author
Task 5 – Middle of Scene II, Following the Argument between Creon and Oedipus – Write a poem about Oedipus using at least 5 of the power words you recorded – it should make sense and have the rhythm of a poem, but does not need to rhyme
Task 6 – Throughout the rest of Scene II (assigned starting on Pg. 34) – Record 2 (or more) examples of literary techniques (metaphor, imagery, personification, dramatic irony, hyperbole, allusion, flashback, foreshadowing, simile, even tragic flaw) AND 2 vocabulary words you DO NOT KNOW – look up later
Task 7 – End of Scene II – “Dear Athena” (Abby) letter – write it as a letter; approximately 1/3 page; As a character, share your story with the goddess of wisdom and ask for her advice on something
Task 8 – Throughout Scene III – Record all “revelations” (newly revealed truths)
Task 9– End of Scene III – Write a Journal/Diary Entry from the point of view of one of the characters – approx. 1/3 page
Task 10 – End of Scene IV - One of two options: Write a recipe for disaster based on Oedipus Rex with at least 10 ingredients and preparation directions (Ex: 2 cups of prophesies, ½ cup of hubris, tablespoon of agony, dash of father’s blood – bake where three roads meet and serve in a Grecian Urn...) OR create a soundtrack for Oedipus Rex, with a minimum of 10 actual song titles connected with the story and a brief explanation how (Ex: Wanted Dead or Alive; So you had a bad day; Bad Romance)
Task 11 – Throughout Exodus – Record (using tally marks) all references to sight (seeing, looking, vision, blindness, darkness, eyes, etc)
Task 12 – Halfway through Exodus, after we learn Oedipus is blind - One of two options: Write a Eulogy for Jocasta’s funeral OR write a journal reflection on the 2nd messenger’s quote “The greatest griefs are those we cause ourselves.” Approx. 1/3 page
Task 13 – End of Exodus – One of two options: Create a comic strip for the entire story OR the cover and inside flap of a playbill for Oedipus Rex (designed cover, critic reviews, character list with actors to play each, brief synopsis)
Other ideas I didn’t work in: drawing symbols while reading; creating an advertisement; creating a political cartoon; record everyone to blame; design costumes and set; put on plot diagram; present-day version (clean), sculpt while reading; motivational speech from Creon after Oedipus has left – others written in book which I will add...