Oedipus Rex Flashcards
How are Oedipus and and Creon related?
Brother in law and uncle
Where does Oedipus Rex take place?
Thebes
Why is there a plague in the city of Thebes?
Laius’s death was never investigated.
What is the name of the king whose killer must be found in order to stop the plague?
Laius
What reasons does Oedipus give for wanting to save Thebes by finding the murderer?
Because he is their king and he wants the people to respect him
According to the chorus what are there symptoms of the plague?
Leaves its fields and women barren
How did Oedipus come to power?
By solving the riddle given by the Sphinx
According to Creon was Laius murdered by one person or several?
Several
What does Oedipus accuse Tiresias of?
Killing Laius
Who does Oedipus think helped Tiresias kill Laius?
Creon
Tiresias is a prophet of which particular God?
Apollo
What disability does Tiresias have?
He is blind
What punishment does Oedipus announce for the murderer?
Execution
How does Tiresias respond when Oedipus first asks him who the murderer is?
Hinting at Oedipus sins
Who was the surviving witness to Laius’s murder?
The shepherd
Why does Oedipus ask for Jocasta to send for the shepherd?
To ask him about Laius’s murder
Why did Oedipus consult an oracle long ago when he lived in Corinth?
To learn more about his prophecy
What did the oracle tell Oedipus would happen to him?
He would kill his dad and marry his mom
Who did Oedipus previously believe we’re his parents?
Polybus and Merope
Why did Oedipus flee Corinth?
He didn’t want the prophecy to come true.
What does Oedipus hope the shepherd will say that will exonerate him?
That Laius was murdered by a group of men
What is Jocasta’s initial reaction to the argument between Oedipus and Creon?
She takes Creon’s side
Why is Jocasta skeptical of prophets?
When Oedipus was born with his prophecy she thought she had him killed and avoided the prophecy
What city does the messenger come from?
Corinth
What news does the messenger tell Oedipus and Jocasta?
That Polybus is dead and Oedipus is the kin of Corinth
Why is Oedipus worried that Merope is still alive?
He thinks he may have killed this father through grief and is worried that he might still marry her
Under what conditions does Oedipus say he might return to Corinth?
When Merope is dead
Who found Oedipus in the mountains as a baby?
The shepherd
