Comprehension Questions
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.
a. Polybus has died of natural causes.
and
c. Polybus was not Oedipus’ natural father.
If you were a citizen of ancient Greece, from whom would you be most likely to receive a prophecy? Base your answer on the meaning of prophecy.
a. a revered king or queen
b. a council of ruling generals
c. a group of wise and respected elders
d. a seer who interpreted the flights of birds
d. a seer who interpreted the flights of birds
Which of the following choices best describes Creon’s behavior toward 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 Oedipus
d. He shows pity and compassion for Oedipus
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.
d. Oedipus and Jocasta rejoice to hear that Polybus died of natural causes.
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 turn out to be Oedipus’ father.
c. She knows that the shepherd is a prophet in disguise.
d. She thinks Creon has paid the shepherd to lie.
a. She realizes that the baby she gave up to the shepherd is Oedipus.
Which of the following situations best illustrates the meaning of oracles in ancient Greece? Base your answer on the meaning of oracles.
a. individuals who asked the gods for protection
b. individuals who relayed messages from the gods
c. individuals who received guidance from the gods through dreams
d. individuals who received divine inspiration to write plays and poetry
b. individuals who relayed messages from the gods
Read the following dialogue from Oedipus the King, Part II:
Chorus. You have chosen a painful path. It were better to be no more than to live in darkness.
Oedipus. No! What I have done is right. You cannot change my mind.
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.
b. He believes he must atone for his crimes before he dies.
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
b. the fact that a respected and admired king is undone by circumstance and by flaws in his own character
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 child
b. the messenger’s claim that Oedipus’ feet were pinned together when he 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
a. the shepherd’s claim that he was given a child by Jocasta and that Jocasta was the mother of the child
Which of the following best illustrates the meaning of inexorable? Base your answer on the meaning of inexorable.
a. the endangerment of a species due to the destruction of its habitat
b. a talented individual well known for his or her ability to help others
c. two dogs begging for the leftovers at the end of a holiday dinner
d. a teenager who has fallen behind with his or her math homework
a. the endangerment of a species due to the destruction of its habitat
Which of the following choices best supports the Creon's pitied and compassionate behavior toward Oedipus at the end of the play?
a. Creon takes over Oedipus’ role as head of the family.
b. Creon confesses that he is to blame for Oedipus’ downfall.
c. Creon allows Oedipus to embrace and bless his daughters.
d. Creon reminds Oedipus that his fate is in the hands of the gods.
c. Creon allows Oedipus to embrace and bless his daughters.
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
a. arrogance toward the gods and oracles
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
a. to ask Oedipus to return to the palace
Which of the following synonyms has the most positive connotation?
a. clever
b. smart
c. brilliant
d. intelligent
c. brilliant
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.
a. They feel pity.
Which of the following choices best supports the idea that Oedipus falls because of his arrogance towards the gods and oracles?
a. Oedipus boasts that the prophecies about his future turned out to be wrong.
b. Oedipus continues to question the shepherd after Jocasta warns him to stop.
c. Oedipus is maddened with grief when he learns that Jocasta has killed herself.
d. Oedipus insists on showing himself to the Thebans after he has put out his eyes.
a. Oedipus boasts that the prophecies about his future turned out to be wrong.
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 palace slave.
b. He pleads to be sent into exile.
The underlined words in the following sentences share the same denotation: “angry.” Which underlined word has the least negative connotation? Base your answer on context as well as your knowledge of the word.
a. Passengers were displeased that they had to wait a few extra minutes to board the plane.
b. The basketball coach was infuriated because the referee made three unfair calls during the playoff game.
c. Jim’s coworkers were irritated when he forgot to put his dirty dishes in the sink.
d. When Sara saw the long line at the ticket window, she was exasperated that she had not arrived earlier.
a. Passengers were displeased that they had to wait a few extra minutes to board the plane.
Which of the following lines of dialogue from Part II best supports the idea that Oedipus is atoning for his crimes by putting out his eyes?
a. Oedipus. I have sinned against them both. / To hang myself would not wash clean that sin.
b. Oedipus. Cithaeron, why did you keep me safe . . . why did you not kill me?
c. Oedipus. You were the silent witnesses to my crime. You drove me here to save the city.
d. Oedipus. The decision was made . . . death to the father-killer, the murderer. I am he.
a. Oedipus. I have sinned against them both. / To hang myself would not wash clean that sin.
Which of the following excerpts from Oedipus the King, Part II, contains an example of anaphora?
a. Chorus. A tyrant is born from a womb of arrogance. / And insolence grows fat, / Fed by empty riches.
b. Chorus. Greed will cut him down. / For he will never freely touch the divine / With hands that are sullied with money.
c. Chorus. God’s lightning will strike, / Strike the arrogant, strike the sinner.
d. Chorus. No more will I seek the mystery / Buried in the earth’s deep core.
c. Chorus. God’s lightning will strike, / Strike the arrogant, strike the sinner.