Final Discussion Questions
Oedipus the King by Sophocles
Directions: In small groups of 3, students will read and discuss the assigned
questions. Each group will prepare a short oral presentation that they will share out
with the rest of the class. All group members MUST participate in the share out.
1. Analyze the dramatic irony of sight and blindness in the play? Explain the
dynamic developed throughout the play. What does it say about the main
characters? What message/point do you think Sophocles was trying to get
across?
2. Discuss Oedipus’ tragic flaw and how it is displayed to the audience at
various points in the play. How did this flaw lead to his downfall? Why do
you think Sophocles chose to have Oedipus suffer in the manner he did?
3. How is the Riddle of the Sphinx a metaphor for the life of Oedipus? Discuss
the Riddle and how it relates to the various stages of his life and/or his
transformation.
4. Analyze what Tiresias meant when he said to Oedipus, “This present day will
give you birth and death.” (29). What motif and/or theme does this meaning
connect with? Explain the connection specifically.
5. Analyze what Jocasta mean when she said to Oedipus, “ Fear? Why should
man fear? His life is governed by the operations of chance. Nothing can be
clearly foreseen. The best way to live is by his and miss, as best you can.”
(67). What motif and/or theme does this meaning connect with? Explain the
connection specifically. How does this contradict Tiresias’ words? What
effect do these pieces of advice have on Oedipus?
6. Explain specifically what Oedipus meant when he said, “O God! It has all
come true. Light, let this be the last time I see you. I stand revealed—born in
shame, married in shame, an unnatural murderer.” (89) What motifs, themes
and/or archetypes does this analysis connect with? Explain the connections
specifically.
7. Discuss the function of the Chorus in this play. What is their role? Do they
serve more than one role? How effectively do they perform these roles?
How do their views of the gods, prophets, and Oedipus himself change as the
play progresses? As a modern reader, how do you respond to their part in
the play?
8. Why did Oedipus choose to blind himself instead of commit suicide as Jocasta
did? What does this tell you about his character? How does his reasoning
behind his actions tie to the sense of hamartia (fatal flaw) and hubris
(excessive pride)? Is it a worse punishment than death? Why/why not? Is he
truly punishing himself or trying to avoid further, more tragic punishment he
would receive from his family and Thebans? Explain.
9. Discuss the relationship between Oedipus and Creon. What role(s) do each
play with the other? How does Oedipus feel about Creon at the beginning of
the play? What about how Creon feels about Oedipus at this point? Explain
in detail how that relationship changes and evolves throughout the play. At
the end of the play, how does Oedipus feel about Creon? How does Creon feel
about Oedipus at this point? How do you know this?
10. Why do you think Sophocles wrote this play? What message (theme) was he
trying to impart to his Greek audience? Why do you think he was concerned
with this message? How effective do you think his message was portrayed?
11. Discuss the role that fate plays with Oedipus, Jocasta, and Laius. How do they
individually try to escape fate? Is each of these actions free will or could they
be considered still part of fate? Justify your response with evidence from the
play.
12. Oedipus constantly seeks the truth throughout the play. Why is he driven to
find the truth? What does he think he will gain from the truth? Why are
there times when he questions the truths given to him? How do these times
affect him? Can the truth save Oedipus or will it serve to seat his fate? Justify
your response with evidence from the play.