Oedipus Test Prep:
Next Monday & Tuesday you will receive the test questions, will be given instructions and will have the entire period to work. You will be able to use your laptops to type responses and use your text, Scavenger Hunt and Oedipus Plot Diagramas support. Your Scavenger Hunt and your Plot Diagram must be printed for use.
Be aware of the following:
- The test has 20 questions. You are responsible for 10 of them. I have chosen 5 and you will choose the other 5.
- If you do not use quotes within your responses they will not be considered adequately supported.
- Many of the questions have multiple parts. If they are not all addressed full credit will not be earned.
- If you are not ready when you walk in (you haven’t studied, don’t have important quotes in mind, haven’t organized your handouts and thoughts) you will have made the test and ability to succeed on it more difficult.
- The seats will be rearranged and I will be monitoring laptop use. Airports will need to be turned off and all applications, other than a word-processor, closed.
- At the end of the period you will be turning in the questions, scavenger hunt, plot diagram and responses.
This sheet is designed to help you go through the play methodically and precisely. It is to be used for studying only. It may not be used on the test.
1)Summarize the situation in Thebes at the beginning of the play. What has caused the blight/plague? What must be done in order to resolve it?
2)Oedipus seeks to solve the situation in Thebes. In order to find out how to do so he sends someone to an oracle. Identify the person he sends and give the content of his message upon his return.
3)What does the news brought back from the oracle prompt Oedipus to decree in front of the people of Thebes? How does this decree result in dramatic irony?
4)Teiresias is the first of many to try and resist Oedipus’ wishes to have information shared with him. What does Teiresias tell Oedipus about Oedipus’ past, present and future? Based upon the entirety of the play is he a prophet or a false prophet?
5)Give and evaluate at least two reasons why Oedipus discards Teiresias’ visions / predictions.
6)When Creon returns he attempts to prove to Oedipus that he is not plotting to overthrow the king. Why does Creon tell Oedipus he does not want to be king? Also, how is their dispute ended? Since the situation is not truly resolved, explain how this situation surprises Oedipus and the audience at the end of the play.
7)Messenger 1 brings Oedipus good and bad news—what is it? This leads Oedipus to discuss the fear he has of Merope. When Messenger 1 attempts to comfort Oedipus with additional information he also upsets him. Summarize the information and analyze the separate reactions that Oedipus and Jocasta have to it.
8)Before the herdsman enters Jocasta has gone inside the palace. Describe her reasoning for doing so and explain what she does as a result. Explain the Dramatic Irony that results from Oedipus’ misunderstanding.
9)What tactics does Oedipus threaten to use in order to secure information from the Herdsman? What does the Herdsman reveal? Why does Jocasta not need this information in order to complete her understanding of the backstory?
10)At this point Oedipus finally sees the chain of events clearly. Track the “custodians” baby Oedipus had from birth to his foster parents. Also tell why each custodian gives the baby to the next.
11)When Oedipus finally understands the events that have taken place he finds Jocasta and blinds himself. At this point Oedipus trades one blindness for another. Discuss his original (figurative) blindness and how it later leads to his (literal) blindness. Do not forget to include the 3 reasons for blinding himself.
12)Define the Sphinx’s riddle and its solution. Include the reason Oedipus was able to answer it when others were not. How is his name significant to this?
13)Evaluate and discuss the importance of Polybus and Merope to the plot. (Remember they appear in the backstory and news of them appears in the actual story.)
14)Discuss the function of the Chorus (including Strophe and Antistrophe) as a cast member of Oedipus Rex.
15)The Greeks dependence upon mythology to explain the world around them caused them to know the result of stories like Oedipus prior to seeing the play unfold. Discuss how this shared literacy creates the opportunity for playwrights like Sophocles to use both Dramatic Irony and Harmatia / Hubris? Make sure to use at least 2 direct examples from Oedipus.
16) Using textual evidence confirm or dispute the following: Due to Laius’ death (and therefore early exit from the unfolding plot) Jocasta is more at fault than Laius in regards to Oedipus’ undoing since she had a larger impact upon Oedipus’ life.
17)A Greek tragedy is defined, in part, by the downfall the hero experiences. Thoroughly explore and discuss the following in a well-crafted response:
A. The standing Oedipus occupied at the beginning of the play,
B. At least 2 instances where Oedipus’ hamartia is present (the entire story can be used)
C. How hamartia ultimately leads Oedipus to his downfall even though many attempt to stop him from realizing self-awareness.
18)Analyze the role and importance of minor characters in the play (those characters who remain nameless: Messenger 1, and the Herdsman/Shepherd.)
19)Discuss the importance of Messenger 2 to the plot. What important information does he offer? What defining feature(s) of Greek Theater require his appearance?
20)One of the cornerstones in the Greek system of beliefs was the belief that one’s fate was predetermined and could not be avoided. There are remnants of this belief in our current culture. Name and discuss at least two. Make sure to compare the attitudes of our society towards the remnants you identified with the attitudes of the Greeks.
21)Greek Theatre Terminology:
Choregus
Theatron
Tetralogy
Skene
22)Definitions of:
Hubris:
Hamartia:
Hero:
Dramatic Irony:
23)According to the people (chorus, strophe, antistrophe) what will occur if the oracles Oedipus and Jocasta discuss do not come true?
24) What message does this play tell the today’s audience about the role of fate and oracles in ancient Greek culture?
What message did the play enforce / reinforce for the ancient Greeks?
Consider the political, social and religious implications of both questions.
25) Oedipus’ actual family tree and the family tree he thought he was a part of: