Oedipus Rex Test Exam Questions With 100%
Correct Answers
Who wrote the play?
Sophocles
Why was Cadumus' family cursed
Because, before building the city of Thebes he had to kill a dragon that was guarding a water supply,
this dragon was Apollo's favorite
What great service did Oedipus provide the city when he first arrived in Thebes?
He got rid of the sphinx which was terrorizing the city
Who was the King of Thebes before Oedipus?
Laius
What happened to King Laius?
He was murdered by Oedipus
How does Oedipus' decision to seek out the murderer of Laius add to his stature as a hero?
It adds to his stature as a hero because he is the man the people of Thebes turn to whenever
something is going wrong in the city
Why has Oedipus summoned Lord Teiresias?
He is summoned because he might have the answer Oedipus is looking for
How might the actor playing Oedipus vary his tone of voice in this dialogue with Teiresias?
It would vary to anger and frustration because Teiresias is not telling Oedipus what he wants to know
Why is Oedipus angry with Teiresias?
He is angry because Teiresias knows what Oedipus wants to know but it not telling him
According to Teiresias who is the murderer whom Oedipus seeks?
The murderer Oedipus seeks is himself
How does Oedipus react to the information that Teiresias has given him?
He gets angry
Why does Creon return?
Creon returns because he wants to explain himself, and prove that he is indeed innocent
What flaw in Oedipus' character is suggested by his choosing to accuse Creon?
The flaw is that he is choosing to accuse Creon instead of considering the fact that it might be himself
, What does Oedipus accuse Creon of doing?
He accuses Creon of framing him for the murder of Laius, so that he could take the thrown away from
Oedipus and for himself
How does Oedipus want to punish Creon?
He wants to punish Creon by banishing him away from Thebes
According to Jocasta what did the oracle say would happen to Laius?
That Laius would die by the hands of his own son
How does Oedipus' story about growing up in Corinth relate to Jocasta's description of the murder?
Because the same day Oedipus left Corinth was the same day Laius was killed
What does the servant ask of Jocasta when he sees that Laius is dead and Oedipus' is king?
The servant asked that she make him a shepherd so that he could be far away from the city
On what details in the tale of Laius' murder does Oedipus base his hope that he is innocent?
The details were that there were multiple people who contributed to the murder of King Laius
What did Oedipus do to avoid fulfilling the horrors he was told awaited him?
He left Corinth so that he could never fulfill the prophecy
To which god does Jocasta direct her prayers?
The Greek god Apollo
In what ways is Jocasta's change of heart toward the oracles an example of situational irony?
She pretty much disapproves of the Oracle because she now feels that the Oracle is wrong because
the Oracle said that Oedipus would kill his father but instead his father that raised him died
peacefully, she thinks its that the one that died peacefully is his actual father, but it is not.
In what ways is Jocasta and Oedipus' discussion about the Messenger's news an example of dramatic
irony?
It is dramatic irony because the audience knows who Oedipus' real father is but Oedipus and Jocasta
do not.
What news does the messenger bring from Corinth?
The messenger comes and tells them that the man who raised Oedipus who they all thought was his
actual father has died and that they want him to come back and be the King of Corinth.
In what ways does the audiences' knowledge about Oedipus' infancy create dramatic irony and add to
the suspense?
It creates dramatic irony since the audience already knows of Oedipus background and where he
came from. However, Oedipus, and Jocasta do not, and this builds suspense till the point of climax
which is when they learn the horrible truth.
Correct Answers
Who wrote the play?
Sophocles
Why was Cadumus' family cursed
Because, before building the city of Thebes he had to kill a dragon that was guarding a water supply,
this dragon was Apollo's favorite
What great service did Oedipus provide the city when he first arrived in Thebes?
He got rid of the sphinx which was terrorizing the city
Who was the King of Thebes before Oedipus?
Laius
What happened to King Laius?
He was murdered by Oedipus
How does Oedipus' decision to seek out the murderer of Laius add to his stature as a hero?
It adds to his stature as a hero because he is the man the people of Thebes turn to whenever
something is going wrong in the city
Why has Oedipus summoned Lord Teiresias?
He is summoned because he might have the answer Oedipus is looking for
How might the actor playing Oedipus vary his tone of voice in this dialogue with Teiresias?
It would vary to anger and frustration because Teiresias is not telling Oedipus what he wants to know
Why is Oedipus angry with Teiresias?
He is angry because Teiresias knows what Oedipus wants to know but it not telling him
According to Teiresias who is the murderer whom Oedipus seeks?
The murderer Oedipus seeks is himself
How does Oedipus react to the information that Teiresias has given him?
He gets angry
Why does Creon return?
Creon returns because he wants to explain himself, and prove that he is indeed innocent
What flaw in Oedipus' character is suggested by his choosing to accuse Creon?
The flaw is that he is choosing to accuse Creon instead of considering the fact that it might be himself
, What does Oedipus accuse Creon of doing?
He accuses Creon of framing him for the murder of Laius, so that he could take the thrown away from
Oedipus and for himself
How does Oedipus want to punish Creon?
He wants to punish Creon by banishing him away from Thebes
According to Jocasta what did the oracle say would happen to Laius?
That Laius would die by the hands of his own son
How does Oedipus' story about growing up in Corinth relate to Jocasta's description of the murder?
Because the same day Oedipus left Corinth was the same day Laius was killed
What does the servant ask of Jocasta when he sees that Laius is dead and Oedipus' is king?
The servant asked that she make him a shepherd so that he could be far away from the city
On what details in the tale of Laius' murder does Oedipus base his hope that he is innocent?
The details were that there were multiple people who contributed to the murder of King Laius
What did Oedipus do to avoid fulfilling the horrors he was told awaited him?
He left Corinth so that he could never fulfill the prophecy
To which god does Jocasta direct her prayers?
The Greek god Apollo
In what ways is Jocasta's change of heart toward the oracles an example of situational irony?
She pretty much disapproves of the Oracle because she now feels that the Oracle is wrong because
the Oracle said that Oedipus would kill his father but instead his father that raised him died
peacefully, she thinks its that the one that died peacefully is his actual father, but it is not.
In what ways is Jocasta and Oedipus' discussion about the Messenger's news an example of dramatic
irony?
It is dramatic irony because the audience knows who Oedipus' real father is but Oedipus and Jocasta
do not.
What news does the messenger bring from Corinth?
The messenger comes and tells them that the man who raised Oedipus who they all thought was his
actual father has died and that they want him to come back and be the King of Corinth.
In what ways does the audiences' knowledge about Oedipus' infancy create dramatic irony and add to
the suspense?
It creates dramatic irony since the audience already knows of Oedipus background and where he
came from. However, Oedipus, and Jocasta do not, and this builds suspense till the point of climax
which is when they learn the horrible truth.
