Silverstein
Oedipus: Fourth Episode and Exodus
Name_________________________Per_
Actors needed: Oedipus, Shepherd, Messenger, Chorus/Chorus Leader, Creon (pgs 225-251)
1) Making connections: Consider the role of denial in the play. How is that reflected in the
still image of the production of the play at the top of this page?
Answer each question thoroughly and provide a supporting quote:
2) What does Oedipus inquire of the shepherd and why? How does the shepherd respond to
the intensifying barrage of questions from Oedipus and the Messenger from Corinth?
Explain. (227-231)
3) How should an actor portray the hero’s ANAGNORISIS, the sudden realization of truth?
Consider his movements, voice inflection and facial expression (given no mask) and how this
could help create CATHARSIS or emotional response in the audience. (232)
4) How does the CHORUS describe the complete reversal of circumstances or PERIPETEIA
of Oedipus? Explain.
5) How and why does the Chorus use the sight vs. blindness and dark vs. light MOTIF as used
in the CHORAL ODE on page 234?
6) The Messenger says that "the pains we inflict upon ourselves hurt most of all" (235). Are
Oedipus' pains self-inflicted? Explain. Do you agree with this philosophy? Explain.
7) In Ancient Greek drama the violence occurs offstage. Instead of showing graphic violence,
a character provides a detailed account through sensory detail, IMAGERY. What IMAGERY
does the Messenger use to describe Oedipus' blinding. Include details related to at least
three of the five senses and label each. (236-237)
9) How does the CHORUS begin to mourn the fall of the great hero here? What is the final
IRONY, the opposite of what is expected, in Oedipus' blinding? (239)
10) Whom does Oedipus curse and why? Describe how Oedipus defends his act of blinding
himself. (242-243)
12) List the three APOSTROPHES (comments directed toward someone/something not
present or an object/abstraction for dramatic effect) in Oedipus' speech on pages 243-244.
13) What is Creon's response to Oedipus' situation? Is it unexpected? Evaluate his use of
light/dark IMAGERY. (245-246)
14) What three favors does Oedipus request of Creon and why? How is his complete reversal
or PERIPETEIA especially evident in his interactions with his brother-in-law? (246-250)
15) How and why does Oedipus attempt to explain his situation to his daughters? (248-249)
Explain how this section could evoke the emotional response of the audience through
CATHARSIS.
16) How does the CHORUS provide the MORAL INSTRUCTION at the end of the play?
Explain the final lines of the play: "Count no man happy till he dies, free of pain at last" (251).