Oedipus Essay Questions 1). The number three appears several times throughout the play. Laios is killed where three roads meet. Oedipus is three times damned: “. . . damned in birth, damned in marriage, and damned in the blood he shed with his own hand.” Clues to unraveling the mystery are brought by three outsiders: Teiresias, the messenger, and the shepherd. Archetypally, the number three represents completeness, closure, unity, awareness, and even spiritual awareness. Defend Sophocles’ use of the number three as further evidence that Oedipus is an archetypal hero. 2). Using your knowledge of the end of the play, return to the Prologos and Oedipus’ second speech. Discuss the irony that emerges from these sections in light of the play as a whole. 3). The Greek word “Tyrannos” is an absolute ruler who has seized power, not inherited it. He is not a king (or rex), since a king succeeds to the throne by birthright; the tyrannos succeeds through intelligence, force, and influence – through ACTION. How does the title “Tyrannos” reflect Oedipus’ reign over Thebes? How does it reflect one of the most powerful ironies in the play? 4) How does the story of Oedipus represent the god-­‐king archetype? What defect belonging to Oedipus, inherent in his name, further points to his weakness as a godking? How is the archetypal view of Oedipus supported by Teiresias’ remark: “No man that walks on earth shall be rooted out more horribly than you”? 5). How is the riddle of the Sphinx a metaphor for the life of Oedipus? Why then is it ironic that Oedipus solved the riddle? How does Oedipus’ revelation of the riddle of the Sphinx further support the perspective of Oedipus as the archetypal tragic man? 6). Trace the use of these archetypal symbols in the play: light, sight, dark, blindness. How are these archetypes used to convey theme and dramatic irony? 7). Using your knowledge of Dionysus and other Greek gods, discuss how the ideas within certain myths can be seen in the play Oedipus Rex. Think about the dismemberment and rebirth of Dionysus; the hubris of the mortals Arachne or Niobe; the curse of Uranus and the prophecies of the Delphic oracle. What can you conclude about the nature of the gods and the tragedy of Oedipus? Antigone Essay Questions 1. Who is the tragic hero in this play? You may use Aristotle’s or Miller’s (or both) definition to defend your choice. 2. What is the significance of saying "no" in this play? Who says "no" and to what? Consider how saying "no" figures as an agent of tragedy. 3. Compare Choragus’ role in Antigone with that in Oedipus? How is Choragus’ relationship with Oedipus different than his relationship with Creon? Look at the last lines of both plays; who does Choragus judge more harshly and why? 4. Sophocles’ plays instruct the audience (even those in positions of authority) how to behave in a morally correct way. In Antigone, analyze how acting on emotions (e.g., jealousy, suspicion, pride, anger, love) leads to catastrophe for the characters, while acting in a prudent manner keeps characters safe and indicates wisdom.