comprehension
Polybus has died of natural causes.
Polybus was not Oedipus’ natural father.
What news does the messenger bring from Corinth?
individuals who relayed messages from the gods
Which of the following situations best illustrates the meaning of oracles in ancient Greece?
He shows pity and compassion for Oedipus.
Which of the following choices best describes Creon’s behavior toward Oedipus?
Oedipus and Jocasta rejoice to hear that Polybus died of natural causes.
Which of the following events in Oedipus the King, Part II is an example of dramatic irony?
The idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal meaning.
What is connotation?
God’s lightning will strike, / Strike the arrogant, strike the sinner.
Which of the following excerpts from Oedipus the King, Part II, contains an example of anaphora?
She realizes that the baby she gave up to the shepherd is Oedipus.
Why does Jocasta urge Oedipus not to interview the shepherd?
a seer who interpreted the flights of birds
If you were a citizen of ancient Greece, from whom would you be most likely to receive a prophecy?
Creon allows Oedipus to embrace and bless his daughters.
Which of the following choices best supports the answer to Part A?
arrogance toward the gods and oracles
Which of the following best describes an aspect of the hamartia, or tragic character flaw, that causes Oedipus to fall?
The literal meaning of a word.
What is denotaion?
the shepherd’s claim that he was given a child by Jocasta and that Jocasta was the mother of the child
What makes Oedipus sure that he has fulfilled the prophecy?
the endangerment of a species due to the destruction of its habitat
Which of the following best illustrates the meaning of inexorable?
He believes he must atone for his crimes before he dies.
Which best explains why Oedipus insists that he has done the right thing by putting out his eyes?
Oedipus boasts that the prophecies about his future turned out to be wrong.
Which of the following choices best supports the answer to Part A?
to ask Oedipus to return to the palace
Why does Creon come to find Oedipus after Oedipus shows himself, newly blinded, to the chorus of Thebans
I have sinned against them both. / To hang myself would not wash clean that sin.
Which of the following lines of dialogue from Part II best supports the answer to Part A?
the fact that a respected and admired king is undone by circumstance and by flaws in his own character
Which of the following best explains why Oedipus the King is considered a tragedy?
He pleads to be sent into exile.
What happens to Oedipus at the conclusion of Oedipus the King, Part II?
He has learned humility.
Given Oedipus’ words and actions in the final scene of Oedipus the King, Part II, what important life lesson has he learned?