Basic Info
Characters & Geography
Act I
Act II
Themes & Devices
100
Who wrote Oedipus Rex?
Sophocles
100
What is the meaning of Oedipus' name?
"pierced feet" or "swollen feet"
100
Who does Teiresias say is responsible for the murder of Laius?
Oedipus
100
Where was Oedipus left to die as a baby?
Mt. Cithaeron
100
Teiresias is blind but can see everything/knows the truth. This is an example of what?
Irony
200
Where did violence occur in ancient Greek productions?
Offstage
200
At various points in the play, characters travel to what place to meet with the oracle there?
Delphi
200
Who does Oedipus accuse of conspiring with Teiresias to dethrone him?
Creon
200
Who does the messenger reveal has died at the beginning of Act II?
Polybus
200
Name Oedipus' fatal flaw. Hint: it's another term for "excessive pride."
hubris
300
The Chorus spoke on behalf of whom? There are two answers.
The audience The people of Thebes
300
Oedipus is prince of what city?
Corinth
300
Creon says the plague afflicting Thebes is a result of Laius' murderer never being found. What phrase does he use to describe this stain on the city?
"old defilement"
300
How does Jacosta die? Be specific.
suicide by hanging
300
What is the term for when a character has an epiphany and moves from ignorance to knowledge?
Anagnorisis
400
How many people were in the Chorus in Sophocles' plays? How many actors would have performed all the roles? For a bonus 200 points, how many people were in the Chorus before Sophocles came along?
15 3 12
400
When Oedipus encountered the Sphinx, the monster gave him a riddle. What was Oedipus' answer?
Man
400
Why does Jacosta say Teiresias can't be speaking the truth?
She thinks the old prophecy about her baby didn't come true, so the new one won't either.
400
Oedipus uses pins from what to blind himself?
Jacosta's brooches/robes
400
Stichomythia, or rapid courtroom-style back-and-forth, occurs between Oedipus and which two characters in the play?
Creon and the Shepherd
500
Name the four characteristics that masks could reveal about a character.
Emotion/Mood Gender Age Position/Power/Status
500
Name both of Oedipus' daughters.
Antigone and Ismene
500
What three punishments does Teiresias say await Oedipus?
Exile, blindness, poverty
500
What is Creon worried will spread if Oedipus is seen yelling blind in public?
Immorality or moral pollution
500
Name five of the seven characteristics of tragedies and tragic heroes.
1) Tragic heroes are highly regarded/respected. 2) Tragic heroes have a fatal flaw. 3) Tragic heroes make mistakes that leave them with no escape. 4) Tragic heroes maintain nobility of spirit in the face of disaster. 5) Tragic heroes die or fall from their social position. 6) Tragedies evoke a sense of "pity and horror" in the audience. 7) Violence in tragedies often occurs offstage.
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