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Oedipus Lines 1-250

Total questions: 10

Worksheet time: 30mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What is NOT unique about Greek drama?

a)

All action takes place in the same place

b)

All action takes place in the same day

c)

All action is done by one actor / actress

d)

All action drives the plot

2.

Read the following lines: "For you came here, to our Cadmeian city / and freed us from the tribute we were paying / to that cruel singer - and yet you knew / no more than we did and had not been taught."(40-45). What is the purpose of this flashback?

a)

It links past events with present events

b)

It creates a new setting

c)

It allows the reader to understand the Sphinx

d)

It sets up the theme of fate v. free will

3.

Why does the priest mention "fledglings" and "others bent by age" (17-20)

a)

To create a formal tone of speech

b)

to reveal how many people are effected by the plague

c)

to create confusion

d)

to show the difference between the priest's age and Oedipus' age

4.

Based on how Oedipus views himself in the opening lines, how does he begin to establish himself as a tragic hero?

a)

He displays flaws such as generosity and kindness

b)

He demonstrates compassion, which will destroy him

c)

He shows his personal weakness as a king

d)

He exhibits a flaw in his personality by being arrogant

5.

The Priest recommends Oedipus find help "either by listening to a heavenly voice or learning from some other human being."(50-51) This helps develop a central idea by

a)

Illustrating Oedipus' hubris

b)

Demonstrating the quest for knowledge v. ignorance

c)

Highlighting free will causes negative consequences

d)

Establishes a connection between sight and sound

6.

According to Apollo, how will the plague be lifted from Thebes?

a)

Answering the Sphinx's riddle

b)

Creating a new riddle

c)

Finding King Laius' murderers

d)

Killing King Laius

7.

How did Oedipus become the king of Thebes?

a)

He killed King Laius

b)

He seized control of the city

c)

He answered the Sphinx's riddle

d)

He married King Laius' widow

8.

Why didn't the citizens of Thebes ever investigate the murder of their king?

a)

They were too ignorant

b)

They did not like King Laius

c)

They were being terrorized by the Sphinx

d)

They were waiting for Oedipus to help them

9.

Read the following: "This polluting stain / I will remove, not for some distant friend, / but for myself. For whoever killed this man / may soon enough desire to turn his hand / in the same way against me, too, and kill me."(165-169) Which summary is most true according to these lines?

a)

Oedipus has a new selfish motive for catching the murderers

b)

Oedipus is reassuring the citizens that he there for them in a time of need

c)

Oedipus thinks the Priest may be the murderer

d)

Oedipus does NOT feel the current plague on Thebes is anything to worry about.

10.

Read the following: "For our city, as you yourself can see / is badly shaken - she cannot raise her head / above the depths of so much death"(26-29). This is an example of personification because

a)

it compares the city and death

b)

it tells the reader about something that happened in he past

c)

it paints an mage in the reader's head

d)

it gives the city human qualities such as "raising her head"