When this prophet accuses Oedipus of killing Laius, Oedipus immediately gets defensive.
Who is Teiresias?
The people of Thebes are suffering from this catastrophic event.
What is a plague?
This character said, “I lay this curse upon the killer, whether he acted alone or with accomplices: May your life be a searing agony!”
Who is Oedipus?
At the start of the play, Oedipus is considered a hero because he once saved Thebes by solving this creature’s riddle.
What is the Sphinx?
Oedipus’ name means this.
What is swollen feet?
Oedipus accuses this man of trying to overthrow him.
Who is Creon?
According to Apollo’s oracle, Thebes must do this to cleanse the city of its pollution.
What is find and punish Laius’ murderer?
This character said, “This is my answer: since you mocked my blindness, know that though you have eyes you cannot see how low you have fallen.”
Who is Teiresias?
Oedipus’s excessive belief in his own greatness and refusal to listen to others reveals this tragic flaw.
What is pride?
One servant survives Laius’s murder and later asks to be sent away to work as this.
What is a shepherd?
After hearing Jocasta’s story, Oedipus realizes that he may be responsible for the murder of this king.
Who is Laius?
Jocasta says Laius was killed by robbers at a crossroads, which makes Oedipus suddenly nervous about this past event.
What is killing a man at a crossroads?
This character said, “The terror of the prophecy would die there on the hills. That is what the prophet said, my king. Pay it no mind. God alone shows us the truth.”
Who is Jocasta?
When Oedipus publicly curses Laius’ killer, the audience recognizes this literary device because they know something he does not.
What is dramatic irony?
Laius was killed at this specific type of location, which matches Oedipus’s past story.
What is a crossroads?
After hearing the prophecy that he would kill his father and marry his mother, Oedipus leaves this city to avoid fulfilling it.
What is Corinth?
The prophecy that started all the chaos came from this god’s oracle.
Who is Apollo?
This character said, “Come to us now, defend us. You three powers of heaven, descend and save us.”
Who is the Chorus?
Oedipus’ confidence in his own perception highlights the tragic irony that, though he can see physically, he cannot see this.
What is the truth?
Jocasta tries to calm Oedipus by explaining that Laius was supposedly killed by these people.
What are highwaymen (robbers)?