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Name______________________________________________
Oedipus Rex
Study Guide
English 4 Ms. Bednarski
Answer these questions as you read the play; some we will do in class, others you will complete
for homework.
Write at least 3 sentences if you can for each response—one-word answers will not cut it. I will
collect the completed study guide & count it as a test grade.
***Cite lines whenever you can; you can then use the lines when you write a reaction paper
or an essay. How? “put words from play in quotation marks” (page number in
parentheses)—Only the number not the word page or a p
Prologue: (page 5)
1. Describe what is happening in Thebes when the play opens. What is the mood that the
playwright Sophocles wants to convey?
2. From the first speech of Oedipus, give examples of how the reader can tell that he is a
concerned king. Cite line #’s.
3. In the priest speech, list three harmful events that are affecting the people and city of Thebes.
Cite lines
4. How does Sophocles make the reader aware that Oedipus is a highly regarded leader to his
people? (See Priest’s speech)
5. Who is Creon and what has Oedipus asked him to do? (p. 8+)
6. What news/advice does Creon give Oedipus on page 10 to help solve the problems in Thebes?
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Ode of Entry (page 11)
7. The Chorus has a long first speech called the parados (opening song). Since they represent the
voice of the people of Thebes, what are some of their concerns?
First episode (page 14)
8. Briefly summarize Oedipus’ response to the Chorus on page 14
9. Who is Tiresias? Does Oedipus trust him-why/why not? How do we know?
10. How does Tiresias speak to Oedipus and what does he tell the king?
11. As the conflict develops between Tiresias and Oedipus in this episode, on whose side does the
Chorus seem to lean? Cite lines for proof.
12. Briefly summarize the last words of Tiresias (page 26) Then, make at last one prediction of
your own about an upcoming event.
Second episode (page 28)
13. Cite some phrases that indicate what Oedipus thinks of Creon.
14. How does Creon defend himself?
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15. In your own words, rewrite Creon's speech on pp. 33-34.
16. Name 3 conflicts that have arisen so far in the play. Name who is involved and if the conflict is
internal or external and why.
Choral Dialogue (page 36)
17. In the Choral Dialogue on p. 36+, what do the words of the chorus foreshadow/foretell?
18. What does Oedipus want to do to punish Creon for his bad behavior?
19. What does Jocasta, Oed’s wife who enters the play for the first time here, say about what is
going on between her husband (Oed) and her brother (Creon). Cite lines
20. When Oedipus asks the Chorus their opinion of what to do at this point, what do they
recommend?
21. Jocasta tells Oedipus how and where her late husband Laios was killed. What is Oed’s reaction
to this news?
Third Episode (page 48)
22. What news does the Messenger bring to Jocasta and what is her response?
23. How does Oedipus react to the Messenger’s news? Do you feel the same way as Oed—
why/why not?
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24. Why does the news of the shepherd/herdsman coming back to Thebes upset Jocasta? (see page
58)
25. On page 60 in his last lines of this episode, Oedipus calls himself “Fortune’s pampered child.”
What does he mean? How is he deceiving/fooling himself at this point in the play?
Fourth Choral Ode & Episode (page 60)
26. What do we and Oedipus learn from the shepherd? Cite a few lines that indicate what Oed’s
fate will be.
27. On page 67, Oedipus speaks and quickly rushes off stage. What does he finally realize/accept
about himself?
Fifth Choral Ode (page 68)
28. Summarize the Chorus’ final song/lament about the fate of Oedipus. See: Strophe 1,
Antistrophe 1, Strophe 2.
Epilogue & Choral Dialogue (page 69)
29. What is the news about Jocasta in this final scene?
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30. How does the Chorus describe Oedipus’ reaction to this news about Jocasta?
Envoi – (the final lament and farewell) (page 81)
31. Why is it appropriate that the Chorus is the last speaker in the play?