Show:
Basic Info
Characters and Geography
Act I
Act II
Themes & Devices
100
Who wrote Oedipus Rex?
Sophocles
100
Name the monstrous creature that Oedipus defeated outside the city of Thebes.
The Sphinx
100
What is afflicting the city of Thebes at the beginning of the play?
plague
100
Where was Oedipus nearly left to die as a baby?
Mt. Cithaeron
100
What is the term for when something is characterized by the opposite of what is expected?
Irony
200
Where did violence occur in ancient Greek productions?
Offstage
200
What is the meaning of Oedipus' name?
"pierced feet" or "swollen feet"
200
Who does Teiresias say is responsible for the murder of Laius?
Oedipus
200
Who does the messenger reveal has died at the beginning of Act II?
Polybus
200
What is the term for when the audience knows something the characters do not?
Dramatic irony
300
The Chorus spoke on behalf of whom? There are two answers.
The people of Thebes The audience
300
At various points in the play, characters travel to which place to meet the oracle there?
Delphi
300
Who does Oedipus accuse of conspiring with Teiresias to dethrone him?
Creon
300
How does Jacosta die? Be specific.
suicide by hanging
300
What is Oedipus' fatal flaw? Hint: it's another word for "excessive pride."
Hubris
400
How many people were in the Chorus in Sophocles' plays? How many were there in most Greek 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 in the Chorus.
400
Oedipus is prince of what city?
Corinth
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 this one won't either. She killed her baby!
400
Oedipus uses pins from what to blind himself?
Jacosta's brooches/robes
400
What two emotions did Aristotle say tragedy should provoke in the audience?
pity and horror
500
Name the four characteristics that masks could reveal about a character.
Emotion/Mood Gender Age Position/Status/Power
500
Name both of Oedipus' daughters.
Antigone and Ismene
500
What three punishments does Tereisias 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 decisions 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 provoke feelings of "pity and horror" in the audience. 7) Violence in tragedies often occurs offstage.