Oedipus Flashcards
What does Oedipus declare shall be the only punishment if the murderer confesses
Exile
why does Oedipus think that Creon plotted with Tiresias
To overthrow him so that Creon could become king (maybe they had a special arrangement with each other)
what prophecy was Laius given regarding his and Jocasta’s son?
Their child would kill Laius
what did Laius do with his son?
Fastened his ankles together and sent him to mount Cithaeron to be killed
where was Laius killed?
where the three highways meet
why did Oedipus go to the Oracle at Delphi
a drunken stranger told Oedipus that Polybus wasn’t his true father
after Oedipus goes to the oracle at Delphi, what did he do?
He decides that he cannot return to Corinth, and runs into Laius and his entourage where the three highways meet. When one of the subjects is rude to him, he kills everyone in a fit of anger
Why does Oedipus run away from Corinth
for fear of his prophecy coming true: that he will kill his father and marry his mother
who does the chorus side with after Jocasta intervenes
Creon
what were the elements affecting Thebes (4)
Fever, dying crops and cattle, stillborn birth
what was the Spinx’s riddle
what walks on four feet in the morning, two in the afternoon, three at night
what did the oracle at Delphi tell Creon
In order to save Thebes, Laius’ death must be avenged
why didn’t Thebes investigate Laius’ death in great detail
They were dealing with the Sphinx at that time
what was Tiresias’ prophecy (6)
Laius’ murderer is:
1. immigrant of foreign birth
2. will be revealed as Theban born
3. blind instead of seeing
4. beggar instead of rich, he will make his way to foreign soil
5. brother and father of his children
6. son and husband of the woman who gave him birth
why does Tiresias reveal the truth about Laius’ murder
he reveals that Oedipus is the killer after Oedipus insults him by declaring that Tiresias helped plan the murder
Why does Oedipus get mad at Creon and what does he want to do to him
Creon was the one who encouraged Oedipus to call upon Tiresias. Oedipus believes that Creon and Tiresias worked together to frame Oedipus for Laius’ murder so that Creon could take the throne.
He wants to sentence Creon to death for being a traitor
how does Creon defend himself against Oedipus’ accusation
He is already in good standing with both rulers of Thebes, and therefore already has all the respect and power he wants without the responsibility and danger of the crown
Who was Polybus’ wife
Merope
A shepherd gave the baby to the Corinthian messenger. Where did the shepherd get the baby
Jocasta
How does Oedipus interpret Jocasta’s words when she begs him to stop pursuing the truth
That she thinks she will be ashamed if Oedipus is born from a non-noble lineage
How does Oedipus make the shepherd tell the truth
Tortures him
Why didn’t the shepherd kill Oedipus as an infant
Pity
who are Oedipus’ daughters
Antigone, Ismene
what character trait does this represent
“Here I am myself, world-famous Oedipus”
- Oedipus
Prideful, Egotistical
