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WorksheetsOedipus the King Part 2 (Accessible Text)
Total questions: 20
Worksheet time: 40mins
Which of the following situations best illustrates the meaning of oracles in ancient Greece?
individuals who asked the gods for protection
individuals who relayed messages from the gods
individuals who received divine inspiration to write plays and poetry
individuals who received guidance from the gods through dreams
What news does the Messenger bring from Corinth?
Polybus has died of natural causes (sickness).
The oracle has identified the murderer.
Laius has turned up alive and well in Corinth.
Oedipus confessed to killing Laius.
What did Oedipus threaten to do the servant if he didn't tell him what happened?
have him exiled from Thebes
have him shot and killed
torture him by twisting his arms behind his back
give him until the count of three before he hit him in the face
Why was Oedipus glad that his father, Polybus, was dead?
Polybus proved that he was not fit to be King of Thebes because he could not solve the riddles presented by the Sphinx.
This means that he has escaped the prophecy which said that he would murder his father.
Now he could be King over Thebes.
Polybus was very mean to Oedipus.
Why does Creon look for Oedipus after Oedipus shows himself, newly blinded, to the Chorus of Thebans?
to ask Oedipus to return to the palace
to send Oedipus forth from Thebes
to condemn Oedipus to death
to escort Oedipus to prison
Who took Oedipus to King Polybus and Merope to raise?
the Messenger
Jocasta
Laius
Creon
How does the messenger know that Polybus is not Oedipus's father?
The messenger is lying so that no one will find out that he knows that Oedipus is Laius's killer.
Polybus told the messenger that Oedipus was not his son.
The messenger is an oracle who sees all.
The messenger was the one who found Oedipus and gave him to Polybus and Merope.
Why does Jocasta urge Oedipus not to interview the Shepherd?
She is afraid the Shepherd may turn out to be Oedipus's father.
She knows that the Shepherd is a prophet in disguise.
She realizes that the baby she gave up to the Shepherd is Oedipus.
She thinks Creon has paid the Shepherd to lie.
Why does Jocasta say that Oedipus could not have been the murderer?
He was too young to know how to kill.
The prophecy said that Laius was killed by strangers and not by a stranger, which means that Oedipus could not have done it.
Laius was never murdered--he committed suicide as the oracles said before.
Oedipus is too kind of a person to commit such a heinous crime.
What makes Oedipus sure that he fulfilled the prophecy?
the Shepherd's claim that he was given a child by Jocasta and that Jocasta was the mother of the child
the Messenger's claim that Oedipus' feet were pinned together when he was a baby
the Shepherd's inability to remember and recognize the Messenger
Jocasta's decision to pay her respects at the shrines of the gods
What prophecy has come true? Select ALL that apply.
Oedipus would kill his wife.
Oedipus would kill his father.
Oedipus would marry his mother.
Oedipus would be exiled from Thebes.
What does Oedipus do when he finds Jocasta dead?
He hangs himself.
He kills the messenger.
He runs away so that no one thinks that he killed her.
He blinds himself.
Which best explains why Oedipus insists that he has done the right thing by putting out his eyes?
He wants to salvage something from the tragedy for his children.
He believes he must atone (make up) for his crimes before he dies.
He cannot save Thebes without making a sacrifice.
The citizens of Thebes voted that he put his eyes out.
Which of the following lines of dialogue from Part II best supports the answer to Part A?
Oedipus. I have sinned against them both. / To hang myself would not wash clean that sin.
Oedipus. Cithaeron, why did you keep me safe . . . why did you not kill me?
Oedipus. You were the silent witnesses to my crime. You drove me here to save the city.
Oedipus. The decision was made . . . death to the father-killer, the murderer. I am he.
Why did the messenger say that it was unnecessary for Oedipus to exile himself from home because of the prophecy?
Because no matter what, Oedipus was destined to kill his father and marry his mother.
Because it made Oedipus seem guilty of the murder.
Because everyone was going to find out one way or another that he killed Laius.
Because Oedipus was no blood kin to either Polybus or Merope.
Which of the following choices best describes Creon’s behavior toward Oedipus at the end of Oedipus the King, Part II?
He appears disgusted with Oedipus.
He refuses to acknowledge Oedipus.
He treats Oedipus with strict justice.
He shows pity and compassion for Oedipus.
Which of the following choices best supports the answer to Part A?
Creon takes over Oedipus' role as head of the family.
Creon confesses that he is to blame for Oedipus' downfall.
Creon allows Oedipus to embrace and bless his daughters.
Creon reminds Oedipus that his fate is in the hands of the gods.
Given Oedipus’ words and actions in the final scene of Oedipus the King, Part II, what important life lesson has he learned?
He has learned fidelity (loyalty).
He has learned compassion (sympathy).
He has learned humility (humbleness, lack of pride).
He has learned responsibility.
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?
They feel pity.
They feel rage.
They feel resentment.
They feel embarrassed.
What happens to Oedipus at the conclusion of Oedipus the King, Part II?
He attempts to commit suicide.
He disappears from Thebes.
He becomes a palace slave.
He pleads to be sent into exile.
