wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

Oedipus Part 2

Total questions: 15

Worksheet time: 8mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

In Oedipus the King, Part II, what news does the messenger bring from Corinth? Choose two options

a)

Polybus has died of natural causes

b)

The oracle has identified the murderer

c)

Polybus was not Oedipus natural father

d)

Laius has turned up alive and well in Corinth

e)

Merope has sent for Oedipus to return to Corinth

2.

In Oedipus the King, Part II, why does Jocasta urge Oedipus not to interview the shepherd?

a)

She realizes that the baby she gave up to the shepherd is Oedipus.

b)

She is afraid the shepherd may not turn out to be Oedipus' father.

c)

Sheknowsthattheshepherd is a prophet in disguise

d)

She thinks Creon has paid the shepherd.

3.

In Oedipus the King, Part II, what makes Oedipus sure that he has fulfilled the prophecy?

a)

the shepherd's claim that he was given a child by Jocasta and that Jocasta was the mother of the chlid

b)

the messenger's claim that Oedipus' feet were pinned together when h was a baby.

c)

the shepherd's inability to remember and recognize the messenger

d)

Jocasta's decision to pay her respects at the shrines of the gods

4.

Why does Creon come to find Oedipus after Oedipus shows himself newly blinded, to the chorus of Thebans?

a)

to ask Oedipus to return to the palace

b)

to send Oedipus forth from Thebes

c)

to condemn Oedipus to death

d)

to escort Oedipus to prison

5.

What happens to Oedipus at the conclusion of Oedipus the King, Part II,

a)

He attempts to commit suicide

b)

He pleads to be sent into exile

c)

He disappears from Thebes

d)

He becomes a balance slave

6.

Which of the following choices BEST describes Creon's behavior towards Oedipus at the end of Oedipus the King, Part II.

a)

he appears disgusted with Oedipus

b)

He refuses to acknowledge Oedipus

c)

He treats Oedipus with strict justice

d)

He shows pity and compassion for Oeidpus.

7.

Which best explains why Oedipus insists that he has done the right thing by putting out his eyes?

a)

He wants to salvage something from the tragedy for his children.

b)

He believes he must atone for his crimes before he dies.

c)

He hopes the Thebans will take pity on his blindness.

d)

He cannot save Thebes without making a sacrifice.

8.

Given the statements of the chorus from the time Oedipus is revealed as the murderer until the end of Oedipus the King, Part II, which best describes the Thebans’ attitude toward him?

a)

They feel pity

b)

They feel rage

c)

They feel resentment

d)

They feel embarrassment

9.

Given Oedipus’ words and actions in the final scene of Oedipus the King, Part II, what important life lesson has he learned?

a)

He has learned fidelity

b)

He has learned humility

c)

He has learned compassion

d)

He has learned responsibility

10.

Which of the following events in Oedipus the King, Part II is an example of dramatic irony?

a)

The chorus prays to the gods for humility and modesty.

b)

Creon promises to protect and care for Antigone and Ismene.

c)

Oedipus puts out his own eyes when he sees Jocasta’s dead body.

d)

Oedipus and Jocasta rejoice to hear that Polybus died of natural causes.

11.

Which of the following best describes an aspect of the hamartia, or tragic character flaw, that causes Oedipus to fall?

a)

arrogance toward the gods and oracles

b)

indecisiveness when swift action is needed

c)

overwhelming jealousy and distrust of his wife

d)

unwillingness to stand up for what he believes in

12.

Which of the following best explains why Oedipus the King is considered a tragedy?

a)

the fact that two of the story’s major characters suffer violent death or disfigurement

b)

the fact that a respected and admired king is undone by circumstance and by flaws in his own character

c)

the fact that all the characters in the story have good intentions but cannot bring about a happy ending

d)

the fact that the story contains several examples of conflict and

disagreement between and among the major characters

13.

Which is NOT an ending to the play?

a)

Jocasta poisons herself

b)

Oedipus blinds himself

c)

Creon is placed as the leader in Thebes

d)

Oedipus is banished

14.

Read the following speech from Oedipus the King, Part II:


Oedipus: Aaah, all has come to pass. All is true!

Light of the sun, let me never look on you again. I stand here, the most cursed of men.

Cursed in my birth. Cursed in an incestuous marriage.

Cursed in the murder of my father.


Which best describes the effect of the anaphora used in this speech?

a)

It explains why Oedipus was so insistent on finding Laius' murderer.

b)

It hints to the audience that worse things still lie head for Oedipus

c)

It emphasizes the gravity and crushing weight of Oedipus' misfortune

d)

It clarifies the reasons why Oedipus killed the unknown chariot driver.

15.

Who foresaw the fate of Oedipus and told him during Part 1?

a)

Teiresias

b)

the Oracle

c)

Creon

d)

the shepherd