Oedipus Questions
Prologue
1. Why do the “suppliants lie in various attitudes of despair” at the opening of the play?
Why have they come to the palace?
2. What idea of Oedipus’ personality do you perceive through his first speech?
3. According to the message Creon has brought from Apollo, how must Thebes rid itself of
the plague?
4. How did Oedipus become king of Thebes?
Scene I
1. What is Oedipus’ proclamation concerning Laios’ murder? How does it contribute to
dramatic irony?
2. In the beginning what is Oedipus’ attitude toward the prophet Teiresias? How does his
attitude change?
3. What does Teiresias say that engrages Oedipus? What action does Oedipus suspect
Teiresias of? What justification do you think Oedipus could have for suspicion?
4. Briefly summarize Oedipus’ strength as a ruler. What do you see as his potential
liabilities?
Scene II
1. Of what crime does Oedipus accuse Creon?
2. Briefly summarize Creon’s self-defense.
3. What story does Iocaste tell to try to convince Oedipus that soothsayers are not
necessarily right?
4. Quote a line which suggests Oedipus has a premonition of the awful truth of his past.
5. Oedipus is not comforted by Iocaste’s revelations about the death of Laios. Why? What
does his continued interrogation reveal about his character?
6. Why did Oedipus travel to the shrine at Delphi? What prophecy does he hear?
7. What reassurance does Oedipus hope to gain from the shepherd?
8. How does the third choral speech (Ode II) differ from the first two (Parodos, and Ode I)?
What kinds of pride are mentioned? How does the Chorus prepare the audience for the
catastrophe?
Ode II (Really Key!)
1. Summarize this Ode
2. How does Ode II relate to the rest of the play thus far?
3. What does the chorus’ “message” seem to be, and how might it relate to Oedipus’ guilt or
innocence?
Scene III
1. What news does the messenger from Corinth deliver to Iocaste?
2. In what way is this a comfort to Oedipus? What fear of his remains?
3. Summarize the circumstances of Oedipus’ birth and parenting as revealed by the
messenger.
4. Compare and contrast Oedipus and Iocaste’s reactions to the revelations.
Scene IV
1. Why is the Shepherd reluctant to have the circumstances of the baby’s birth revealed?
2. Why did the Shepherd give the baby to another man to carry out his order?
3. At what point does Oedipus realize that the prophecies concerning him (his fate) have
been fulfilled? Quote the lines.
4. What is the attitude of the Chorus toward Oedipus as revealed in Ode IV?
Exodus
1. What news does the second messenger bring?
2. According to Oedipus, why does he choose to blind himself?
3. Why does Creon hesitate to immediately exile Oedipus?
4. How does Oedipus view his ultimate death?
5. What future does he see for his daughters?
6. What final lesson does the Choragos urge that the Men of Thebes (and so, the audience)
learn from Oedipus’ life?
7. Which of the important acts of Oedipus’ life are truly fated and which are the result of his
own free will?
8. What can we assume is gained by Oedipus’ exile?