Characters
The king of Thebes who is determined to discover the truth about the city's plague.
Who is Oedipus?
This disaster strikes Thebes and prompts Oedipus to seek the truth from the gods.
What is a plague?
The prophecy given to Laius said his son would do this terrible thing to him.
What is kill his father?
Early in the play, Oedipus calls the citizens of Thebes this term, showing his concern for them.
What is “my children”?
This term describes the tragic flaw that contributes to Oedipus’s downfall.
What is hubris?
Oedipus’s wife, who is also—tragically—his mother.
Who is Jocasta?
Oedipus previously saved Thebes by solving the riddle of this creature.
What is the Sphinx?
Oedipus believed this king and queen were his real parents when he fled Corinth.
Who are Polybus and Merope?
Tiresias tells Oedipus that he himself is this person the city seeks.
What is the murderer of Laius?
The group that comments on the action and represents the voice of Theban citizens.
What is the Chorus?
This blind prophet reveals the shocking truth about Oedipus’s identity.
Who is Tiresias?
According to Apollo’s oracle, the plague will end when this crime is punished.
What is the murder of King Laius?
Oedipus leaves Corinth to avoid fulfilling the prophecy that he will do this.
What is kill his father and marry his mother?
Jocasta tries to comfort Oedipus by saying people should not fear these because they often mean nothing.
What are dreams?
The moment when Oedipus realizes the truth about his identity is called this.
What is anagnorisis (recognition)?
Oedipus’s loyal brother-in-law whom he wrongly accuses of plotting against him.
Who is Creon?
At the climax of the play, Jocasta reacts to the truth by doing this.
What is hanging herself?
This god’s oracle at Delphi sets the investigation into motion.
Who is Apollo?
The messenger from Corinth arrives to announce the death of this man.
Who is Polybus?
The reversal of Oedipus’s fortune—from powerful king to ruined exile—is called this.
What is peripeteia?
The shepherd whose testimony finally confirms Oedipus’s true parentage.
Who is the Corinthian shepherd / the Theban shepherd (the herdsman who saved Oedipus)?
After learning the truth, Oedipus performs this shocking act upon himself.
What is blinding himself?
The tragedy emphasizes that this force cannot ultimately be escaped by human beings.
What is fate (or destiny)?
The chorus concludes that no one should be considered happy until this moment.
What is the end of their life (or until they die)?
The emotional cleansing or release experienced by the audience of a tragedy.
What is catharsis?