Basic Info
Who wrote Oedipus Rex?
Oedipus
Name the monstrous creature that Oedipus defeated outside the city of Thebes
The Sphinx
What is afflicting the city of Thebes at the beginning of the play?
Plague
Where was Oedipus nearly left to die as a baby?
On a mountain
What is the term for when the audience knows something that characters in the play don't?
Dramatic irony
where did violence occur in ancient Greek productions?
Offstage
What is the meaning of Oedipus' name?
swollen feet
Who does Tiresias say is responsible for the murder of Laius?
Oedipus
Who does the messenger reveal has died at the beginning of Act II?
Polybus
What is the term for when something is characterized by the opposite of what is expected?
Irony
The Chorus spoke on behalf of whom? There are two possible answers
The people of Thebes or the audience
At various points in the play, characters travel to which place to meet the oracle there?
Delphi
Who does Oedipus accuse of conspiring with Tiresias to dethrone him?
Creon
How does Jocasta die?
suicide by hanging
What is Oedipus' fatal flaw? Hint: another word for excessive pride
Hubris
How many people were in the Chorus in Sophocles plays? How many were there in most green plays before he came along? You must get both right to receive points.
Sophocles' plays had 15 people in the Chorus. Before that, most plays had 12 people
Oedipus is prince of what city?
Corinth
Why does Jocasta say Tiresias cant be speaking the truth?
She thinks the old prophecy about her baby didn't come true, so this one won't either. She killed the baby.
Oedipus uses pins from what to bling himself?
Jocasta brooches
What 2 emotions did Aristotle say tragedy should provoke in the audience?
pity and fear
Name the four characterisitics that masks could reveal about a character.
Emotion/ Mood, Gender, age position/ status/ power
Name one of Oedipus daughters
Antigone or Ismene
What three punishments does Tiresias say await Oedipus?
exile, blindness, poverty
What is Creon worried will spread if Oedipus is seen yelling blind in public?
It would look immoral
Name 3 characteristics of tragedies and tragic heroes
1) Tragic heroes are highly respected. 2) Tragic heroes have a fatal flaw 3) tragic heroes make decisions that leave them with no escape 4) Tragic heroes maintain nobility of spirit in the face of disaster 5) Tragic heroes fall or die from their position in society 6) Tragedies provoke pity and fear 7) Violence in tragedy often occurs offstage