Theban Legend
Who was the founder ( 1st King) of Thebes?
Who is Cadmus
Has a limp from a childhood injury.
Who is Oedipus
What is wrong with Thebes at the beginning of the play?
Plague
“A stranger, you may think, who lives among you, he soon will be revealed a native Theban…Blind who now has eyes, beggar who now is rich…”
Tiresias to Oedipus. Tells Oedipus exactly what will happen to him.
How does Jocasta commit suicide?
She hangs herself
What did the founder of Thebes plant in the ground?
What is dragon teeth
Jocasta’s brother and Oedipus’ Uncle/Brother-in-law.
Who is Creon
What does the Oracle say Oedipus must do to cleanse Thebes of the plague?
Find the Laius’ murderer and kill or banish him
“Look at it this way first: who in his right mind would rather rule and live in anxiety than sleep in peace?”
Creon to Oedipus. Creon is defending himself from Oedipus’ accusations
What two things do sphinxes love?
Riddles and human flesh
What mountain do Laius and Jocasta leave baby Oedipus on?
Mount Cithaeron
One of Oedipus’ sisters.
Antigone or Ismene
How does Polybus die, and what does Oedipus still fear in Corinth?
Old age and Merope
“Have you no sense? Poor misguided men, such shouting—why this public outburst?”
Jocasta to Oedipus and Creon. Scolding them for fighting
What finally becomes of Oedipus?
He lives in exile on Mount Cithaeron
How did Oedipus come to be raised by Polybus and Merope?
Jocasta and Laius gave him to a guard, who in turn gave him to a shepherd who gave him to Polybus.
God who gives Tiresias and other oracles the gift of prophecy.
Apollo
What happened to the only surviving member of the attack on King Laius’ party?
He begged Jocasta to send him away.
“A prophet? Well then, free yourself of every charge!...no skill in the world can penetrate the future.”
Jocasta to Oedipus. She doesn’t believe in prophecies because hers didn’t come true.
Who does Oedipus ask Creon to protect after he becomes blind?
His daughters
What Oracle did Laius and Jocasta question?
Oracle at Delphi
Curses an entire family (including Oedipus) because his very favorite dragon was killed.
Aries
Who does Oedipus think is plotting to destroy him?
Tiresias and Creon
No, I’ll start again—I’ll bring it all to light myself! Apollo is right, and so are you, Creon to turn our attention back to the murdered man.”
Oedipus to Creon/Chorus. He’s going to find Laius’ murderer.
Why didn’t the people of Thebes search for Laius’ murderer?
They were too busy being eaten by the sphinx