English 022

Mrs. Wiley

Oedipus Rex Study Guide Part 2

The Messenger from Corinth

  1. How does the chorus feel about the laws of the Universe?
  1. What warning does the chorus voice in ode 2?
  1. What might this foreshadow?
  1. What worry does the chorus express just before Jocasta enters in scene 3?
  1. Discuss the irony in the opening of scene 3 where Jocasta burns incense to the gods.
  1. In an analogy Jocasta equates Oedipus to a helmsman. What is a helmsmanandwhy is this an appropriate analogy? How is this reference a continuation of a MOTIF from the start of the play?
  1. Describe the entrance of the messenger from Corinth.
  1. What message does the messenger bring? According to the messenger, why should this message comfort Oedipus? According to the clues thus far, especially considering the oracle at Delphi, why should this news comfort Oedipus?
  1. What does Jocasta say to the gods after learning of the death of Polybus? In light of the caveat (look this word up!) in ode 2, what might her statement foreshadow?
  1. What attitude toward the gods does Oedipus exhibit after learning of Polybus’s death? Again in light of ode 2, what is foreshadowed by Oedipus’s statement? What effect upon the audience might the similarity of reactions of Oedipus and Jocasta have?
  1. Though Oedipus is comforted that Polybus, his father, has died of natural causes, what aspect of the oracle still troubles Oedipus?
  1. What is the ironic occurrence when the messenger from Corinth, thinking he is offering Oedipus comfort with his insights, reveals to Oedipus that Polybus and Merope are not his natural parents? How is thisanexample ofperipetia?
  1. How does the messenger prove that Oedipus was not the child of Polybus and Merope?
  1. Why does Jocasta insistently attempt to stop Oedipus’s questioning of the messenger? What has Jocasta discovered through the messenger’s story?
  1. What final clue remains for the shepherd to reveal in scene 4?
  1. What incredible coincidences surround the appearance of the messenger from Corinth and the shepherd? Is such coincidence possible in life? As a modern audience, why might we believe less in such coincidences that an ancient Greek audience?
  1. Jocasta’s exit line issignificant. The only word she can call Oedipus is “miserable.” Why can she not call himhusband? Why can she not call him son?
  1. Explain the irony inOedipus’s statement: “I am a child of Luck.” Explain why Luck and Miserable would be so close together in the play.
  1. In ode 3, Cithaeron is again mentioned. How is this place connected to Oedipus?
  1. Identify Pan, Hermes, and Kyllene.
  1. What effect is created by having the pastoral imagery of ode 3 coming after scene 3?

The Final Clue

  1. Why is it important to establish the trustworthiness of the long awaited shepherd? Who attests to is character?
  1. Discuss the effect of the stichomythic dialogue between Oedipus and the shepherd.
  1. 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 unforgivable in ancient Greek society?
  1. 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 point? What might that apostrophe directed to Light foreshadow for the Exodos of the play?
  1. Explain why scene 4 is the anagnorisis of the play.
  1. In ode 4, the chorus refers to Oedipus as king for the last time. Ancient Greeks had two words for king: Tyrannos and Rex. Tyrannos was the ruler by heroic deed; Rex was the king by birthright. Why is it both appropriate and ironic that the chorus no longer calls Oedipus Tyrannos?
  1. What are the light and dark images in this play symbolic of? Why are day and night mentioned together? Blindness and vision? Waking and sleeping?
  1. 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?

Unraveling the Mystery

  1. The ancient Greeks did not allow unseemly scenes to be portrayed upon the stage, but rather required that such scenes be narrated by a character. What takes of horror does the palace messenger relate to the audience? What happened to Jocasta? What happened to Oedipus?
  1. As a film director today, how would you film these scenes of violence? Justify your answer.
  1. Why might it be significant that Oedipus blinded himself with the golden brooches from Jocasta’s gown?
  1. What two heinous sins can now be added to the list committed by the royal line of Labdakos?
  1. Since throughout the play Oedipus has been described as the helmsman for the state, why is it significant he wonders now where he will find harbor in this world?
  1. Again who remains to comfort Oedipus? How does this complete the characterization of the Chorus?
  1. Why does Oedipus choose blinding himself rather than committing suicide? Is this an act of bravery or cowardice? Why do you believe as you do?
  1. Who is to rule Thebes now that Oedipus is exiled? Why is this ironic, given Oedipus’s earlier concerns?
  1. What requests does Oedipus make of Creon?
  1. What future does Oedipus predict for his daughters?
  1. Why should the audience realize these predictions will become reality?
  1. How does Creon exert his authority at the end of the play? What does this behavior foreshadow for the other plays in the trilogy?
  1. What parting caveat does the chorus issue as they depart? What message does this caveat have for all humans? Do you agree/disagree? Is this a universal truth?
  1. Explain the catharsis the audience expects as a result of the Exodos.
  1. In Greek, the name Oedipus meant both “swell foot/club foot” and “on the track of knowledge.” Why is Oedipus’s name so significant to the play?