Oedipus the King
STUDY GUIDE
1. What is an oracle? What is the prediction concerning Oedipus?
2. How does Laius attempt to thwart the oracle?
3. The name Oedipus means __________ _________.
4. What events lead to Oedipus’ being taken to Corinth?
5. Why does Oedipus flee Corinth when he reaches adulthood? To what city does
he go?
6. What is the riddle of the Sphinx?
7. What reward does Oedipus receive upon answering this riddle?
8. In the opening scene of the play, what complaint does the priest make? What
does he request of Oedipus?
9. On what errand has Creon been sent?
10. What did Creon learn about the city’s suffering when he sought Apollo’s word?
11. According to Creon, why had there not been a full inquiry into Laius’ death?
12. What is Oedipus determined to do in his last speech (lines 154-169)?
13. According to the chorus, what is the trouble in the city of Thebes (lines 190-206)?
14. What punishment does Oedipus promise the offender in lines 268-269?
15. What character traits does Oedipus reveal in his long speeches in lines 261-295 ?
16. Who is Teiresias? Why has he been sent for?
17. When Teiresias says, “And why did I forget this…?” what has he forgotten?
18. Why does Teiresias refuse to speak?
19. What does Teiresias say is the cause of the city’s trouble?
20. Of what does Oedipus suspect Creon?
21. Why is Creon angry?
22. Does Oedipus has any justification for suspecting Creon?
23. What reason does Creon give for not desiring the throne?
24. What sentence does Oedipus pass upon Creon?
25. What proof does Jocasta give to assure Oedipus that he is not the killer of Laius?
26. Why is Oedipus troubled by Jocasta’s news?
27. Who is the only surviving eyewitness of Laius’ murder?
28. Of what is Oedipus afraid in lines 886-893?
29. What thin thread of hope does Oedipus still cling to and hope to have verified by
the old shepherd?
30. At this point in the play, what does Jocasta think of gods and divination?
31. What is the significance to the reference to pride in the chorus’ speech in lines
966-970?
Part II
1. What news does the messenger bring from Corinth? Why is it good news?
Analyze Jocasta’s line, “where are you now, divine prognostications?”
2. What does Oedipus still fear?
3. What else does the messenger tell Oedipus?
4. Why does the shepherd not tell the truth at first?
5. How does Jocasta meet her death? What is her motivation?
6. What horrible self-torture does Oedipus inflict upon himself?
7. Why does Oedipus say, “Apollo has laid this agony upon me?”
8. Evaluate this line from the chorus: “It would have been better to die than live in
blindness.”(lines 1477-1478) Do you agree or disagree?
9. Who becomes king after Oedipus?
10. What request does Oedipus make of Creon?
11. Analyze the last lines by the chorus which end the play.