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WorksheetsOedipus the King Part 1 (Saavas)
Total questions: 17
Worksheet time: 10mins
In Oedipus the King, Part I, what danger threatens the city of Thebes?
an epidemic of the plague
a large-scale economic crisis
an invasion by an enemy army
a severe and long-lasting drought
In Oedipus the King, Part I, what instructions does Creon receive from the oracle?
Thebes must build a new temple to Apollo
Thebes must punish the murderer of Laius.
Thebes must solve the riddle of the Sphinx.
Thebes must make a sacrifice to the oracle.
When Teiresias appears before Oedipus in Oedipus the King, Part I, what claims does he state? (2 correct answers)
He claims that the oracle has not spoken truly.
He claims that Laius was Oedipus’ father.
He claims that Creon ordered him to speak.
He claims that Oedipus murdered Laius.
In Oedipus the King, Part I, what causes the quarrel between Creon and Oedipus?
Creon believes that Oedipus is a bad husband to Jocasta.
Oedipus knows that Creon never went to see the oracle.
Oedipus believes Creon wants to seize his throne.
Creon recognizes Oedipus as the killer of Laius.
In Oedipus the King, Part I, Jocasta tells Oedipus what she knows about Laius’ murder. Which incident in her story does Oedipus recognize as an action he carried out in his own past?
the beating of one servant who later left Thebes
the murder of the man he believed to be his father
the encounter with highwaymen when he was traveling
the murder of a group of men at a junction of three roads
If a respected king gave new edicts to his loyal subjects, how would his subjects most likely respond to them? Base your answer on the meaning of edicts.
They would adopt them.
They would ignore them.
They would challenge them
They would keep them a secret.
Which is the best example of a decree you might hear in court? Base your answer on the meaning of decree.
a judge’s final ruling of a trial
a defendant’s plea of innocence
a lawyer’s argument in defense of a client
a lawyer’s objection to a witness’s testimony
Which of the following situations best illustrates the meaning of proclamation?
a priest raising an olive branch to the sun
a large crowd cheering for a king
a queen giving a speech
a man listening to advice
According to Oedipus the King, Part I, which is the most reasonable inference to draw about what kind of king Oedipus is?
responsible and considerate
mysterious and secretive
charming and talented
fierce and terrifying
In Oedipus the King, Part I, Oedipus asks Teiresias for guidance and help in finding the murderer of Laius. Teiresias replies, “Alas! It is a miserable thing to be wise when wisdom brings no reward.” Which best explains Teiresias’ meaning?
He believes that identifying the murderer will only make matters worse for everyone.
He does not want to reveal the murderer’s name unless he is promised a handsome payment.
He hopes to conceal the loss of his wisdom by refusing to tell Oedipus who the murderer is.
He no longer remembers the name of the murderer but does not want to lose a reward by admitting it.
When Teiresias accuses Oedipus in Oedipus the King, Part I, Oedipus immediately assumes, without evidence, that he and Creon are traitors. Given the details of the play up to this point, what is the most likely reason Oedipus is so quick to accuse the others?
Teiresias is an old blind man who has lost his ability to see the future
Oedipus knows that he is guilty as charged and tries to cover up with bluster.
Creon is more popular in Thebes than Oedipus and would make a better king.
Oedipus cannot face the idea that he might have committed such a repulsive crime.
Which best characterizes Creon’s response when Oedipus accuses him of planning to usurp the throne in Oedipus the King, Part I?
Creon challenges Oedipus to an all-out fight for the crown.
Creon admits that he is guilty of plotting to take the throne.
Creon laughs at Oedipus’ accusation and refuses to discuss it.
Creon explains reasonably why Oedipus is wrong to accuse him.
The prologue of Oedipus the King, Part I, ends as Creon and Oedipus leave the stage with the Priest. The chorus then sings the parados. Which best describes the purpose served by the parados?
The parados emphasizes the Thebans’ determination to find the murderer.
The parados underscores the anxiety and despair felt throughout Thebes.
The parados provides details of the evil deeds of the murderer of Laius.
The parados shows that the people no longer have faith in the gods.
Which best describes the mood of the chorus in the ode that follows the Oedipus-Teiresias episode of Oedipus the King, Part I?
furious at Teiresias’ accusations and calling for his execution
suspicious of Oedipus’ bluster and insisting he confess the truth
distressed at Teiresias’ revelations and uncertain what to do next
confident that Oedipus will calm down and hopeful for a swift resolution
Oedipus the King, Part I, ends in a long episode for Oedipus and Jocasta. What does their conversation in this episode most clearly reveal about their relationship?
They are both afraid of saying what they really think, revealing that they do not understand each other.
They offer each other comfort and exchange confidences, revealing that they love and trust each other.
They argue fiercely over Creon, revealing that their primary loyalties are to outsiders instead of each other.
They keep important secrets from one another, revealing that each suspects the other of possible betrayal.
In Oedipus the King, Part I, the chorus sings an ode after the Oedipus-Teiresias episode. Based on the strophes and the answering antistrophes, what does the chorus conclude?
Oedipus has given them reason to trust his wisdom and innocence.
Oedipus will flee Thebes, but he will not be able to hide from the gods.
Oedipus will no longer be able to save the city even though he was able to save it from the Sphinx.
The words of Teiresias should not be heeded because Teiresias bases his prophecies on the flights of birds.
According to the ode sung after the Oedipus-Teiresias episode in Oedipus the King, Part I, what does the chorus believe will eventually happen in Thebes?
They believe that Thebes will be divided by a bitter civil war.
They believe that Teiresias will recover his sight and confess.
They believe that Apollo will eventually reveal the murderer.
They believe that the oracle told Creon the murderer’s name.
