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O EDIPUS R EX

Explore Oedipus Rex through multiple-choice questions, examining Oedipus' character, the plot's development, dramatic irony, and themes of truth and fate.

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O EDIPUS R EX

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  1. OEDIPUS REX SAMPLE MULTIPLE CHOICE

  2. Oedipus’ reply to the petition at the beginning of the play reveals all of the following about him EXCEPT: • He is deeply concerned about the welfare of his people. • He is a religious man who believes in the oracles of gods. • He is passionately devoted to his wife. • He is fearless in his willingness to carry out whatever his duty may be.

  3. Why wasn’t the murder of Laius investigated fully at the time of his death? • It was thought at the time that Laius’ murderer had been caught. • Thebes was distracted by the troubles caused by the Sphinx. • Too much time passed before citizens learned of the murder. • The gods had forbidden such an investigation.

  4. The qualities which make Oedipus a great king also make him • Liable to presumption and pride. • self-confident and rapid in decision. • Intellectually active and curious. • All of the above

  5. When the chorus learns that Oedipus as a baby had been given to a shepherd on Mt. Cithaeron, they speculate that one of the gods may have been his father. In terms of the situation in the play at this moment, this notion serves to • A. foreshadow the conclusion. • further the theme of the play. • heighten the ironic contrast with reality. • advance the action.

  6. 5. Unlike the other characters in the play, Creon displays • A. moderation. • quick temper. • suspicion. • pride.

  7. 6. Which of the following would help explain Oedipus’ total rejection of Tiresias’ charges and insinuations? • A. He is convinced that he was the son of Polybos and Merope. • He had not knowingly ever set eyes upon Laius. • Tiresias did not support his accusations with proof. • All of the above

  8. 7. After he has blinded himself, Oedipus expresses all of the following views EXCEPT: • A. The gods are cruel, deceitful, and unjust. • It would have been better if he had been allowed to die as an infant. • It was right that he should blind himself. • He should be exiled immediately.

  9. 8. Oedipus is urged to drop his inquiry by all of the following EXCEPT • A. the shepherd. • the Corinthian messenger. • Tiresias. • D. Jocasta.

  10. 9. At what point in the play does Jocasta become aware of the true identity of Oedipus? • A. When Tiresias accuses Oedipus of being the murderer of Laius • When Oedipus tells her about the incident at the three roads • When she learns of the prophecy made by the oracle while Oedipus was still at Corinth • D. When she learns what the shepherd had done with the boy

  11. 10. “King though you are, you must treat me as your equal in one respect– the right to reply. That is a power which belongs to me, too. I am not your servant, but Apollo’s.” The speaker is • A. the chorus. • Creon. • Tiresias. • D. the Corinthian messenger.

  12. 11. The usual effect of “dramatic irony” in Oedipus is that • A. The audience is misled by the deceptive speeches of characters. • The audience is emotionally detached from the action. • Since the audience knows the story to begin with, it understands everything on two different levels simultaneously. • D. The audience is kept in the dark about the identity of Oedipus until the end of the play.

  13. 12. The plot of Oedipus deals mainly with • A. undeserved misfortune. • disbelief in oracles. • self-discovery. • D. self-sacrifice.

  14. 13. The events acted out in the play cover a time period of • A. several months. • two weeks. • three days. • D. less than one day.

  15. 14. When did Sophocles live? • A. Eighth century B.C. • Fifth century B.C. • Second century B.C. • D. Second century A.D.

  16. 15. Which of the following does the play reveal about Athenian life? • A. Athenian society had become worldly and cynical. • It permitted freedom of thought and discussion. • The Athenians were proud of their victories over the Persians. • D. Dramatists were unable to deal with moral issues because of the restraining influence of religion.

  17. 16. The play suggests that our search for truth is • A. hopeless, since men can never understand the minds of the gods. • worthwhile, though painful, since it leads us to true knowledge. • wrong, if it leads us to question the truths of religion. • D. dangerous, since we may not be able to face the truth we discover.

  18. Oedipus Rex as a Greek drama… As a trilogy, what are the other two plays? What did Sophocles win for this tragedy? What role(s) does the Chorus play in this drama? How is one actor able to play many roles? How does Sophocles “cheat” to get around the limitation of only 3 characters in the orchestra at a time? Is the altar ever used in the production?

  19. Oedipus Rex as an Aristotelian tragedy… Person of importance? Hamartia? Empathy for eventual catharsis? One plot? Peripeteia? Anagnorisis? Inevitability/Fate? Tragic joy?

  20. THE END

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