Greek
Tragedy
Prologue
Scene 1 and Ode 1 Category
Enter Scene and Ode 2-3
Scene 4, Ode 4 and Exodos Category
100
What is the Greek word used to describe the term, "excessive pride"?
What is hubris
100
Who is King Laios (provide three ways of identifying him)?
King of Thebes, Oedipus' father, Iocaste's first husband...
100
Who does the prophet, Tieresias, finally reveal as the murderer of King Laios?
What is King Oedipus
100
Why is Creon upset at the opening of scene 2?
What is: Oedipus has accused him of conspiracy.
100
The shepherd didn’t leave the infant on the mountain to die as instructed because:
What is: he pitied the infant and gave him to someone who would take him far away from Thebes.
200
How did Oedipus characterize himself as a tragic hero in terms of his mistake in making a rash decision?
What is he killed King Laios in an act of road rage.
200
Who is Creon?
What is: Iocaste’s brother, and Oedipus’ brother-in-law and uncle.
200
Who does Oedipus accuse of being behind a plot to destroy him?
What is Creon; He believes he has committed an act of treason.
200
What 2 pieces of “proof” does Iocaste offer that prophets do not tell the truth?
What is: Oedipus was prophesied to murder his father, but King Polybos died of sickness and old age. Her husband had been told by an oracle that his own son would kill him, but he was killed by “marauding strangers where three highways meet.”
200
What truth does Oedipus learn at the very end of the play?
What is: The prophecy was right; he killed his father (Läios) and married his mother (Iocaste).
300
How did Oedipus characterize himself as a tragic hero in terms of his tragic flaw?
What is exhibiting hubris? Sophocles teaches his readers/viewers that human beings are relatively powerless before fate or the gods, and that a cautious humility is the best attitude toward life.
300
Who does the Chorus represent and what is their purpose?
The elders of Thebes; they offer important background and summary related information.
300
Who does the Chorus suggest could help Oedipus locate the whereabouts of the murderer?
What is Apollo - Apollo was considered by ancient Greeks to be the god of healing and light. He had the power to bring on a plague and lift a plague.
300
According to Ode II, what can be said about the hearts of mortals?
What is: They no longer know Apollo, and have lost reverence (respect) for the gods.
300
What finally becomes of Oedipus?
What is: He flees Thebes
400
What two characteristics relating to a hero's parents do most tragic hero's share in common?
The parents are likely to be members of a royal family (ex: king and Queen), and the hero is likely to have been adopted.
400
No one attempted to find out the truth about what had happened to Läios because:
What is: they were too busy trying to defeat the Sphinx that was terrifying Thebes.
400
Oedipus criticizes his people with regard to King Laios because:
What is: if the oracle had not commanded it, they would have ignored their king’s murderer.
400
Who does Oedipus claim to still fear in Corinth after he hears that King Polybos has died of sickness and old age?
What is: He fears Merope, the wife of Polybus. He is afraid he will marry her and bear her children as prophesied.
400
What takes the messenger’s attention away from the commotion in the Queen’s room?
What is: Oedipus runs into Iocaste’s chambers calling for a sword and cursing his wife.
500
What does the hero ultimately want to achieve during his or her quest (hint: it starts with a "b")?
A boon - a reward that benefit his or her people.
500
What purpose does the prologue serve in a play?
What is: It provides the reader with important background information about the characters and events that exist in the story.
500
What promise does Oedipus make to anyone who comes forward with information about Laios’s murder?
What is: He says that no harm will come to anyone who comes forward.
500
Upon what mountain had the infant Oedipus been found?
What is: Mt. Kithairon
500
How does the shepherd react when the messenger states that King Oedipus was the baby the shepherd had given him?
What is: He tells the messenger to hold his tongue; he claims that the messenger is “only making trouble.”
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