Oedipus Rex
Thematic Group Work
For this assignment, pretend that you are writing a literary analysis group essay on one of the thematic
subjects listed below. For a full literary analysis essay to score in the 4-5 range, each body paragraph is
expected to have at least three specific quotes from the play which back up your thesis. In this practice,
you will have to find four quotes to support your thematic statement about the play.
Step One: Each group will be assigned one of the below thematic subjects.
 Fate vs. Free Will
 Sight vs. Blindness
 Guilt and Shame
 Finding out the truth
 Action vs. Reflection
Step Two: Review the play to the point we have read looking for specific passages having to do with that
thematic subject. Highlight sections you might use.
Step Three: Decide on your theme statement (a complete sentence). It needs to clearly explain what
Sophocles’ intended message was concerning your assigned topic.
Step Four: Decide which passages/examples from the play would BEST exemplify your theme
statement. You need FOUR quotes that directly support your theme statement.
Step Five: Write the analysis or significance of the quote. You are essentially explaining how this quote
supports your thematic statement. Remember do NOT use:
“The significance of this quote is…”
“This quote means…”
“This quote proves…”
Instead launch directly into your analysis of how Sophocles illustrated your assigned theme through the
quote you selected.
Significance / Analysis should be 2-3 sentences in length.
Step Six: Present your findings/discoveries to the class (if time).
Group Members: ____________________________________________________________
Thematic Subject: ____________________________________________________________
Theme Statement:
Construct your theme statement using the formula below. Remember, consider theme as an abstract concept
coupled with an observation about life and human experience. Avoid theme statements that are too simplistic,
judgmental, or moralizing, specific to plot or characters of the particular writing, or include absolutes like anyone,
all, none, everything, and everyone.
The____________ _____________________ by __________________ is about ___________________
genre
title of the work
author
abstract concept
and reveals that _______________________________________________________________________.
observation about life and human experience
QUOTE WITH LINE NUMBER
SIGNIFICANCE / ANALYSIS
QUOTE WITH LINE NUMBER
SIGNIFICANCE / ANALYSIS
QUOTE WITH LINE NUMBER
SIGNIFICANCE / ANALYSIS
QUOTE WITH LINE NUMBER
SIGNIFICANCE / ANALYSIS