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English - Vocab Workshop Level D > Oedipus the King > Flashcards

Oedipus the King Flashcards

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Proverbs and Idioms flashcards
1
Q

Thebes

A

Where Oedipus was born; where the Sphinxes attacked;

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2
Q

Cithaeron

A

The mountain where Oedipus was left to die; where Oedipus requested to be left after he gorged his eyes out;

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3
Q

Corinth

A

Where the shepherd from Thebes gave Oedipus to the shepherd of Corinth; home of king Polybus and Queen Merope

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4
Q

Delphi

A

Where the oracle of Apollo resides; where Oedipus goes to find out the identity of his birth parents; where he finds out the prophecy;

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5
Q

Oedipus

A

King of Thebes; son of Jocasta and Laius; prophesied that he would kill his father and marry his mother; tragic hero;

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6
Q

Creon

A

Jocasta’s brother; gives Jocasta’s hand in marriage in exchange for solving the Sphinxes riddle; Oedipus’s uncle / brother in law;

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7
Q

Tiresias

A

The blind prophet; tell Oedipus that he killed Laius; the prophet of Apollo;

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8
Q

Jocasta

A

Queen of Thebes; Oedipus’s mother / wife; kills herself;

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9
Q

A messenger from Corinth

A

Tells Oedipus that Polybus and Merope are not his birth parents; gave Oedipus to Merope and Polybus; delivers the news that Polybus is dead and Corinth wants to name Oedipus king;

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10
Q

A shepherd from Thebes

A

Saw Oedipus kill Laius; saved Oedipus from his fate on Mount Cithaeron; gave Oedipus to the messenger of Corinth; tells Oedipus the identity of his birth parents;

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11
Q

Chorus

A

Represents the citizens of Thebes;

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12
Q

Priest

A

The priest of Zeus; asks Oedipus for help when the plague is spreading around Thebes;

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13
Q

Laius

A

Father of Oedipus; former king of Thebes; killed by Oedipus;

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14
Q

Merope

A

Queen of Corinth; Oedipus’s adoptive mother;

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15
Q

Polybus

A

Former King of Corinth; Oedipus’s adoptive father; died by old age and disease;

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16
Q

Antigone & Ismene

A

two of Oedipus’s children

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17
Q

Where was Oedipus born?

A

Thebes

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18
Q

Who were Oedipus’s birth parents?

A

Laius and Jocasta

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19
Q

Where did Oedipus grow up?

A

Corinth

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20
Q

What prophecy was made about Oedipus?

A

That he would kill his father and marry his mother.

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21
Q

What did King Laius order regarding the infant Oedipus in order to prevent the prophecy from coming true.

A

He ordered a servant to leave Oedipus on Mount Cithaeron to die.

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22
Q

What does the name Oedipus literally mean? Why did he receive this name?

A

His name literally mean swollen foot. Its because he

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23
Q

Under what circumstances did Oedipus murder his birth father, King Laius?

A

The driver of the carriage Laius is on knocks Oedipus off the road, Oedipus in turn hits the driver, causing Laius to come out. Laius then tries to hit him. hen Oedipus kills everyone in the carriage unknowingly leaving one servant alive.

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24
Q

What was happening to the city of Thebes when Oedipus arrived?

A

It is being attacked by Sphinxes.

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25
Q

What is the setting of the play?

A

Thebes

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26
Q

Based on the opening lines of the priest, what kind of King has Oedipus been?

A

A kind and generous king.

27
Q

At the beginning of the play, Oedipus’ people (specifically the priest) tell him what?

A

Thebes need Oedipus to save them from the plague

28
Q

What action has Oedipus already taken against the plague?

A

He has sent Creon to the Oracle of Apollo to find out what they must do.

29
Q

What important message comes from Apollo?

A

The murderer of Laius is still living in Thebes and must be killed or exiled.

30
Q

What faulty information does Creon have about the murder of King Laius?

A

It was a group of thieves.

31
Q

What is ironic about Oedipus’ speech about the murder investigation?

A

He curses whoever killed Laius but he was the one who killed Laius.

32
Q

Describe Teiresias. Why does the chorus recommend that Oedipus consult Teiresias?

A

He is a blind prophet. The chorus recommends that Oedipus consults him because he sees through the eyes of Apollo.

33
Q

Teiresias first refuses to give Oedipus any information. Why?

A

The truth would cause Teiresias and Oedipus pain.

34
Q

What is Oedipus’ reaction to Teiresias? Teiresias points out what flaw in Oedipus?

A

He is angry he will not tell him the truth. Teiresias points out that he can not see the truth.

35
Q

Oedipus is suspicious of a conspiracy. What does he think is happening?

A

Oedipus thinks that Creon conspired with Teiresias to remove Laius from the Throne and now are out to get Oedipus.

36
Q

What does Oedipus ask Teiresias regarding the sphinx?

A

If he was so wise why did he not solve the riddle and get rid of the Sphinx.

37
Q

Summarize the distinction Teiresias makes between different types of sight.

A

You can see what is in front of you or you can see what is really there

38
Q

Summarize the prophecy Teiresias makes concerning Oedipus.

A

He will be his own downfall.

39
Q

Oedipus and Creon have a confrontation. What accusation does Oedipus make?

A

That Creon is conspiring against him.

40
Q

Summarize Creon’s counterargument against being accused of conspiracy.

A

Creon says that he already has power and does not want the duties of being king.

41
Q

What punishment does Oedipus want to carry out on Creon? What changes his mind?

A

He wants to murder him. Jocasta says there is not enough evidence to convict him and to let him live.

42
Q

Trying to calm Oedipus, Jocasta argues that humans have no part in the craft of prophecy. In what way are Jocasta’s words ironic?

A

She says that a prophecy made about her son she had with Laius did not come true but the prophecy has already come true.

43
Q

What is Oedipus beginning to suspect as he questions Jocasta about Laius?

A

That he killed Laius.

44
Q

What emotion does he say he felt before he killed the chariot rider?

A

He felt rage.

45
Q

Who does Oedipus request be brought to him for questioning?

A

The Shepard from Thebes who saw the murder of Laius.

46
Q
  1. What does the messenger from Corinth come to Thebes to tell Oedipus?
A

The messenger tells Oedipus that Polybus is dead and he will be crowned king.

47
Q

Why do Jocasta and Oedipus seem relieved to receive this news?

A

Because now they know the prophecy about Oedipus will not come true.

48
Q

Look at Oedipus’ speech after he hears the message about Polybus. How do his words inspire pity for Oedipus from the audience?

A

Oedipus says how much he loved Polybus and how his absence probably killed him.

49
Q

How was this messenger from Corinth involved in Oedipus’ past? What information does he give Oedipus?

A

He gave Oedipus to Polybus and Merope. He tells Oedipus that Polybus and Merope are not his birth parents.

50
Q

Jocasta seems to be discouraging Oedipus from continuing the inquiry. Why is she doing this? Why does Oedipus think she wants to end the inquiry?

A

She knows that Oedipus is her son. He thinks his mother was a slave.

51
Q
  1. Oedipus originally called the shepherd to question him about what? What does he actually question him about?
A

About Laius’s murder. The identity of his birth parents.

52
Q
  1. Describe Oedipus’ treatment of the shepherd from Thebes.
A

He twists his arm and tortures him.

53
Q
  1. In what TWO ways was the shepherd involved in Oedipus’ past?
A

He saw him kill Laius and he saved him from death on mount Cithaeron.

54
Q
  1. What truth do his words reveal?
A

The identity of his birth parents.

55
Q
  1. At what point does the climax of the play occur?
A

When Oedipus figures out everything .

56
Q
  1. A second messenger brings news of the violence and death that has occurred off stage inside the castle. What has happened to Jocasta?
A

She hung herself.

57
Q
  1. This messenger from Thebes describes Oedipus searching for a sword and breaking down the door of the bedroom where to get to Jocasta. What does it seem he planned to do in his rage?
A

He wanted to kill her.

58
Q
  1. How does Oedipus react upon discovering what Jocasta had done? What does he do to himself?
A

He breaks down and gorges his eyes out.

59
Q
  1. The chorus is horrified by Oedipus’ act, claiming that he would be better off dead. How does Oedipus explain his desire to lose his sight?
A

So he can no longer see the people he hurt.

60
Q
  1. Who is now the rightful king of Thebes?
A

Creon

61
Q
  1. What does Oedipus want Creon to do to him?
A

He wants Creon tobanish him and put him on Mount Cithaeron.

62
Q
  1. What request does Oedipus make regarding his daughters?
A

He ask that Creon takes care of them.

63
Q
  1. How will Creon decide what will be done to Oedipus?
A

Creon will ask the gods what to do.

English - Vocab Workshop Level D (16 decks)

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