Oedipus Rex: the Prologue

Why does the priest come to the palace to see Oedipus in the opening scene of the play?

• To offer a sacrifice for the coming harvest

• To beg the king’s help with the plague that is ravishing the city

• To ask the king’s permission in order to pray to Apollo for better weather

• To tell the king that Tieresias was the one that killed Lauis

Who had Oedipus sent to ask the oracle of Apollo why there was a plague on the city?

• a servant

• his wife

• Creon

• Tiresias

According to Creon, why is there a plague on the city of Thebes?

• Oedipus is having sexual relations with his mother
• The gods don’t like the fact that Oedipus is king
• Laius’ killer has not been punished
• The city is cursed

Why was Oedipus named king of Thebes?

• He solved the riddle of the sphinx
• He took the throne by force
• He found the missing king’s scepter
• The queen asked for his hand in marriage

What does Oedipus promise to do to Laius's murderer?

• Reward him
• Banish him
• Jail him
• Kill him

What literary element is bring used in the following lines, “Whoever killed Lauis might lay violent hands on me.”

• dramatic irony

• simile

• metaphor

• direct character-ization

What does Oedipus refer to his citizens as?

• My people

• My darlings

• My children

• My followers

What literary element is being used, “The god of plague and pyre raid like detestable lightening throughout the city.”

• Metaphor

• Simile

• Hyperbole

• Pun

Name this element, “Sick as you are, not one of you is as sick as I, each of you suffers alone... but my spirit groans for the city, myself, and for you.”

• Hyperbole

• Personification

• Metaphor

• Symbolism

True or False: Oedipus is full of himself.

• True

• False