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Theatre History > Oedipus > Flashcards

Oedipus Flashcards

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1
Q

What does Oedipus declare shall be the only punishment if the murderer confesses

A

Exile

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2
Q

why does Oedipus think that Creon plotted with Tiresias

A

To overthrow him so that Creon could become king (maybe they had a special arrangement with each other)

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3
Q

what prophecy was Laius given regarding his and Jocasta’s son?

A

Their child would kill Laius

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4
Q

what did Laius do with his son?

A

Fastened his ankles together and sent him to mount Cithaeron to be killed

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5
Q

where was Laius killed?

A

where the three highways meet

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6
Q

why did Oedipus go to the Oracle at Delphi

A

a drunken stranger told Oedipus that Polybus wasn’t his true father

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7
Q

after Oedipus goes to the oracle at Delphi, what did he do?

A

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

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8
Q

Why does Oedipus run away from Corinth

A

for fear of his prophecy coming true: that he will kill his father and marry his mother

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9
Q

who does the chorus side with after Jocasta intervenes

A

Creon

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10
Q

what were the elements affecting Thebes (4)

A

Fever, dying crops and cattle, stillborn birth

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11
Q

what was the Spinx’s riddle

A

what walks on four feet in the morning, two in the afternoon, three at night

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12
Q

what did the oracle at Delphi tell Creon

A

In order to save Thebes, Laius’ death must be avenged

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13
Q

why didn’t Thebes investigate Laius’ death in great detail

A

They were dealing with the Sphinx at that time

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14
Q

what was Tiresias’ prophecy (6)

A

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

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15
Q

why does Tiresias reveal the truth about Laius’ murder

A

he reveals that Oedipus is the killer after Oedipus insults him by declaring that Tiresias helped plan the murder

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16
Q

Why does Oedipus get mad at Creon and what does he want to do to him

A

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

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17
Q

how does Creon defend himself against Oedipus’ accusation

A

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

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18
Q

Who was Polybus’ wife

A

Merope

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19
Q

A shepherd gave the baby to the Corinthian messenger. Where did the shepherd get the baby

A

Jocasta

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20
Q

How does Oedipus interpret Jocasta’s words when she begs him to stop pursuing the truth

A

That she thinks she will be ashamed if Oedipus is born from a non-noble lineage

21
Q

How does Oedipus make the shepherd tell the truth

A

Tortures him

22
Q

Why didn’t the shepherd kill Oedipus as an infant

A

Pity

23
Q

who are Oedipus’ daughters

A

Antigone, Ismene

24
Q

what character trait does this represent
“Here I am myself, world-famous Oedipus”
- Oedipus

A

Prideful, Egotistical

25
Q

what character trait does this represent
“you may count on me; I am ready to do anything to help”
-Oedipus

A

Loyal, cares about his people

26
Q

what character trait does this represent
“I have already acted. I have sent Creon to the prophetic oracle of Apollo”
-Oedipus

A

Proactive, jumps to action

27
Q

what character trait does this represent
“But I will begin afresh. I will bring it all to light”
-Oedipus

A

Determined, confident

28
Q

what character trait does this represent
“Now if this stranger had anything to do with Laius, is there a more unhappy man alive than I?… I must be banished from Thebes”
-Oedipus

A

keeps his words, not above the law

29
Q

what character trait does this represent
“I shall know my origin, mean though it be”
-Oedipus

A

Not concerned with social standing

30
Q

what character trait does this represent

Creon: “If you wish to hear my report in the presence of these people I am ready. Or shall we go inside?”

Oedipus: “speak out before all of us”

A

Open, not secretive

31
Q

what character trait does this represent

“the noblest of labors is for a man to help his fellow man with all he has and can do”
-Oedipus

A

Generous
compassionate
good person

32
Q

what character trait does this represent

“you scoundrel. You would enrage a lifeless stone.”
-Oedipus

A

irritable
quick-tempered

33
Q

what character trait does this represent

“I think you helped to plan the murder of Laius”
-Oedipus

A

jumps to conclusions
judgy

34
Q

what character trait does this represent

“not at all. Death is what I want for you, not exile”
- Oedipus

A

vindictive
powerful

35
Q

what character trait does this represent

“let him go- even if it does lead to my death or inglorious banishment. It is your piteous speech that rouses my compassion- not what he says”
- Oedipus

A

manipulative

36
Q

what character trait does this represent

“I will tell you the truth, all of it”
- Oedipus

A

honest to a default
values absolute truth

37
Q

what character trait does this represent

“one of you twist his arms behind his back”
-Oedipus

A

violent
cruel

38
Q

what character trait does this represent

Shepherd: “here comes the dreadful truth and I must speak”

Oedipus: “and I must hear it. But hear it I will”

A

must know the truth

39
Q

what character trait does this represent

Priest: in our judgment, you are first of men

A

admired
revered

40
Q

what character trait does this represent

Priest: it was with divine support that you restored our city to life

A

the gods favour him

41
Q

what character trait does this represent

Chorus leader: we saw how the sphinx came against him- there his wisdom was proved… remembering that day, my heart will never judge him guilty of evil action

A

trust of the people

42
Q

what character trait does this represent

Chorus leader: this attack on you must have been forced out of him by anger; he lost control of himself

A

impulsive

43
Q

what character trait does this represent

Creon: “if you think stubbornness deprived of intelligence is a worthwhile possession…”

A

stubborn

44
Q

what character trait does this represent

Creon: you show your sulky temper in giving way, just as you did in your ferocious anger

A

temperamental
erratic
unpredictable

45
Q

what different does Oedipus use to smoke out the murderer (5)

A

Loyalty, Leniency, Payment, Threats, Gods

46
Q

How does Oedipus explain his decision to blind himself

A

He had no use for sight when he could see nothing in life that brought him joy

47
Q

how does Creon respond to Oedipus’ request to banish him

A

he must consult with Apollo first

48
Q

list the elements of the classic play structure in Oedipus

A
  1. Thebes is suffering from a plague (problem)
  2. (complications)
    ex:
    - no one will come forward with the truth about Laius’ murder
    - Tiresias refuses to speak but then accuses Oedipus of the
    - Jocasta reveals Laius’ prophecy
    - the man who escaped said Laius was killed by robbers
    - Oedipus is distraught thinking he might have been the murderer
  3. Corinthian messenger reveals that Polybus is dead and that Oedipus has been proclaimed King of Corinth (reversal)
  4. Oedipus realizes that he killed Laius and is subject to the curse he brought down (recognition)
  5. Oedipus stabs out his eyes (climax)
  6. Creon becomes king and will decide Oedipus’ fate (denoument)

Theatre History (4 decks)

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