Mr. Schmitt
LA 7
Oedipus Rex
Exam Study Guide, Part 1
The following are some words for the wise, “You should be prepared to know the following information which probably
will appear on the exam for the play, Oedipus Rex by the philosopher, Sophocles.”
Major Events and Characters:
You need to have a solid understanding of the events that occur, in what order, to whom, by whom and the resolution of
the story. **Review the timeline activity and your notes for guidance.
Know the following characters and be able to designate “who is who” and how they are related (write who they are and
describe their relationship to other characters in the play):
Oedipus
Jocasta
Laius
The old Shepherd (Thebes)
Choragos
Creon
Teiresias
The Messenger (Corinth)
Apollo
Thebes (the city as a “character” in the story)
Also know who and/or what the following are (write a description and their relationship to other characters in the play):
Polybos
Merope
Antigone
Athena
Artemis
Delphi
Dionysus
Corinth
Mr. Schmitt
LA 7
Thebes
The Sphinx
Know and be able to list all five major characteristics of a tragic hero (include specific examples from the text w/ page #s)
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Know the differences between themes, motifs, and symbols (literary devices/author’s craft)
Complete the following sentences by filling in the blanks:
Oedipus suffers from excessive pride and arrogance. Another word for this type of behavior is _____________________.
The Greek god of prophecy is _____________________________.
The main conflict in the play can be best described as ____________________ vs. _____________________.
Oedipus Rex, the play, is considered to be a ____________________________ due to the negative events and actions
that can be noted. The play was written by the famous Greek philosopher, _______________________________.
Using the motif of “sight vs. blindness”:
Provide three literal examples of this theme portrayed in the play.
Mr. Schmitt
LA 7
Provide three metaphorical examples of this theme from the play.
Be able to identify major quotes as stated by major characters in the play. Below are some examples.
“I go, but first will tell thee why I came.
Thy frown I dread not, for thou canst not harm me.
Hear then: this man whom thou hast sought to arrest
With threats and warrants this long while, the wretch
Who murdered Laius--that man is here.
He passes for an alien in the land
But soon shall prove a Theban, native born”
Who said this?
“And on the murderer this curse I lay
(On him and all the partners in his guilt):-Wretch, may he pine in utter wretchedness!
And for myself, if with my privity
He gain admittance to my hearth, I pray
The curse I laid on others fall on me.
See that ye give effect to all my hest,
For my sake and the god's and for our land,
A desert blasted by the wrath of heaven.”
Who said this?
Oedipus Rex: Exam Study Guide, Part 2
In addition to “sight vs. blindness,” what are two other examples of motifs that are depicted in this play?
1.
2.
What are two symbols that are used in the play? Describe their meaning/what they represent.
1.
2.
Mr. Schmitt
LA 7
Know the following vocabulary words and write each term, properly, in a complete sentence. **Staple a separate sheet
if you need more space to write.
1. stricken (adj)
2. pallid (adj)
3. rive (v)
4. proclamation (n)
5. edict (n)
6. solemnly (adv)
7. expedient (n)
8. clairvoyant (n)
9. divination (n)
10. contagion (n)
11. prudent (n)
12. plague (n)
13. remedy (n)
14. noble (adj)
15. chaplet (n)
16. oracle (n)
17. fate (n)
18. suppliant (n)
19. citadel (n)
20. defile (v)
21. compunction (n)
22. indiscretion (n)
23. malice (n)
24. perquisite (n)
25. sepulchre (n)
26. overwrought (adj)
27. accurst (adj)
28. tumult (n)
**Review any notes, handouts, or activities that we completed in class. Visit iblog.dearbornschools.org/schmitthappens
for additional resources