Beginning
When Oedipus accuses Creon of conspiring to overthrow him and become King, why does Creon say he would not want to be king? What type of rhetorical appeal does he use?
Using the rhetorical appeal of logos, Creon says he already has power being the Queen's brother and does not want the responsibilities of a king.
How does the Shepherd behave when Oedipus asks him to tell his story about finding the infant?
He is very reluctant to reveal what he knows because he says his memory is bad, and he is fearful of the trouble it will cause and for his own punishment.
How does Jocasta try to assuage Oedipus' fears?
She tells him that "chance rules our lives" and not to put any value on prophesies.
Oedipus reminds his people that he did something very important for them when he first arrived in Thebes. What is it?
Oedipus reminded his people of the monster (Sphinx) who was terrorizing Thebes until someone was able to solve the riddle. After Oedipus solved the Riddle of the Sphinx, they made him King of Thebes.
How does Oedipus react when he finds out the prophecy has come true?
After Oedipus finds that Jocasta has hanged herself, he gouges out his eyes.
What does the final speech of the Chorus suggest about life?
No one is exempt from pain or suffering until we die.
This person does not believe in prophecies because she was told that her son would kill her husband and then marry her. Since she thinks this has not happened, prophets are not to be trusted. Who is she?
Jocasta
At the end of the play, Creon and Oedipus have a conversation. What is it about?
Oedipus asks Creon to take care of his daughters and to exile him to the mountain on which he was abandoned.
Aristotle said that the downfall of a character who is purely virtuous would not satisfy the requirements of a tragic figure because ...
it would not inspire pity or fear; it would merely shock us.
Oedipus thinks Jocasta is ashamed of him because...
of his low birth as evidenced by his being found on a mountain as an infant. This shows he was possibly born of slaves.
The downfall of what kind of character did Aristotle say would satisfy the audience but not inspire pity or fear?
An utter villain.
How does the author of Oedipus the king elicit a sense of catharsis from the audience?
The audience feels pity for Oedipus and fear for themselves because...
In regard to Oedipus' moral status, why is he considered the perfect example of a tragic figure according to Aristotle?
Oedipus is not completely good or evil but somewhere between the two extremes. His destruction is caused not by vice or depravity but by some error or frailty.