5 paragraph Essay
English 9
Ms. Mitchell
Oedipus Rex Essay
Directions: Write a 5 paragraph essay (introductory paragraph, three body paragraphs, and
concluding paragraph) that answers ONE of the following questions. The answers should draw
evidence from the text and class discussions, with personal explanations.
1. How does Oedipus come to embody the riddle of the Sphinx?
This question requires you to make a connection between the Sphinx riddle's answer - 'man' - and
Oedipus' fate. Oedipus, as a consequence of seeking the answer to his kingdom's plague,
manages to go through the three stages of the Sphinx's riddle (4 legs, 2 legs, 3 legs). Explain,
with textual evidence, the truth of the sphinx’s riddle through Oedipus’ own life journey.
2. Does the truth set Oedipus free, or is ignorance bliss?
Pay close attention to what the truth frees Oedipus from or how it restricts him, as well as what
freedom ignorance offers and how it holds him back.
3. Write an essay demonstrating how “the most pathetic person in the world is
someone who has sight but no vision” – Helen Keller
This question requires you to make a connection between Helen Keller’s statement and the story
of Oedipus Rex. This essay is the closest to prompt to a thematic essay. Use 3 characters or 3
plot points to prove the legitimacy of this quote, offering text evidence and explanations.
4. Does Oedipus' tragedy happen because of a 'tragic flaw'?
This question asks you to consider that Oedipus' tragedy happens because of a tragic flaw - an
opinion that many critics would strongly disagree with. Why do the events of the play happen?
Whose fault is it - if anyone's?
Requirements:
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MLA format
3 quotes as evidence (cited correctly)
Times New Roman (12) double spaced
2-2.5 pages
Attach rubrics to final copy