During-Reading Questions.

For each of the questions, post a reply with your answers.

Prologue-Scene 1

1. Using an encyclopedia or a book about mythology, look up the oracle at Delphi and the riddling Sphinx. Why are they important to the play?

2. What are your first impressions of Oedupus. Do you think he will prove to be a good leader? What would he be like as a friend or relative?

3. How do the Chorus and its leader feel toward Oedipus at the beginning of the play? Do their feelings change during these early scenes? Explain

4. Why does Oedipus believe that Tiresias and Creon are conspiring against him? What does this reaction indicate about his character?

5. What does Oedipus's quarrel with Tiresias lead you to expect will happen in the play?


Scenes 2-3

6. Do you think Creon is being truthful when he tells Oedipus why he has no interest in the throne? How is Creon's character different from Oedipus's?

7. How do Jocasta's attempts to reassure Oedipus backfire?

8. What is the topic of the choral ode that begins after Jocasta relunctantly agrees to summon the herdsman. How is this ode a reaction to Jocasta's disbelief in prophecy?

9. Exposition is how an author supplies information necassary for the audience to understand a story. Describe the use of exposition during scenes 2 and 3, particularly Jocasta's speech about her child and the information and the messenger offers.

10. How does Jocasta's reaction to the messenger's news differ from Oedipus's?

11. How does Oedipus describe himself to the Chorus at the end of Scene 3? Do you agree with his description? Why or why not?


Scene 4-Exodos

12. At what point during Oedipus's interrogation of the herdsman do you think Oedipus realizes the truth? Why do you think he presses on?

13. What actions are described by the second messenger? Do you think his speech is dramatically effective, or should these events have been shown onstage? Explain your reaction.

14. Why do you think Oedipus blinds himself instead of committing suicide?

15. How have the Chorus and its leader's feelings toward Oedipus changed? Do you share their feelings? Why or why not?

16. Why does Oedipus ask of Creon? Why is Creon reluctant to comply?

17. What kind of leader do you expect Creon to turn out to be?


Your Responses

1) They are important to the play because

• The oracle set up Oedipus's horrible destiny
  
• The Sphinx paved the way towards Oedipus becomming King, which is part of his destiny.

2) My first impression of Oedipus was that he was a powerful man that would get everything that he wanted. I thought that he would prove as a strong leader and be able to overcome any conflict. He actually seemed like a friend in the sense that he would protect every body.

3) I think, in the beginning of the play, the Chorus is kind of indifferent to Oedipus, but as time passes, they begin to respect him more, especially since he becomes King.

4) He believe Tiresias and Creon are conspiring against him because they are accusing him of the death of Lauis, and he doesn't believe them, even though it really is him. It shows that he has a lot of pride for himself at this point.

5) It leads me into thinking that everything Oedipus says turns against him

6) I don't think Creon is being truthful when he tells Oedipus that. I'm pretty sure that he's waiting for his chance to steal the throne and leave Oedipus powerless, he just doesn't want to worry Oedipus. He's not as rash as Oedipus, but I think he's more clever.

7) Her attempts to reassure Oedipus backfire because all of his hope rested on a herdsman.

8) It's talking about hoow the Chorus realized if divine prophecies cannot go unfulfilled and man's insolence unpunished, the Oediopus himself, whoever he is. must be weighed in the balance. Its a reaction to Jocasta's disbelief in prophecy because the Elders were shocked.

9) These expositions all reveal the truth to Oedipus in an inevitable manner.

10) Jocasta was horrified by it, mostly because I think that she knew all along, but didn't want to accept it. Meanwhile, Oedipus took it all in, and blinds himself from the truth.

11) He described himself as an unlucky man, and the only cupable person of sin. However, i disagree with this because he was destined to kill his father and wed his mother, so there was nothing he could do.

12) I think Oedipus was becomming aware of the truth, even before he interrogated the herdsman, but he continued pressing on so that he could have the entire truth from an eyewitness.

13)

1. They are important because Oedipus did all of these and thats why he became king.

2. Oedipus is someone that doesn't like to be wrong and wants everyone to agree with him. I also think that he was not going to be a good relative or friend.

3. The Chorus and its leader felt respect for Oedipus at the begging of the play but later they don't agree with them.

4. He thinks that because they came together and both are acusing him, which means that he doesn't trust no one.

5. I think that what she said is ture and that everything she says would come true.

6. No, i think Creon is lying because you can tell that he has interestr in the throne and that he's not truthful.

7. Jocasta's attempts to reasure Oedipus backfire because he wanted her to tell him he was right.

8. Th choral ode tha begins after Jocasta agree to summon the herdman they are talking of how Laius died and the prophecy.

9. It all leads to the truth that Oedipus is the one that killed Oedipus and the son of Laius.

10. Jocasta's reaction differ from Oedipus because she realized what is happening and is horrofied by it, while Oedipus is clueless.

11. Oedipus describe himself to the Chorus as an unlucky men .

12. I think he realizes the truth when the herdsman say he found him and gave it to his "father". He just wanted to make sure that he was right.

13. The second messanger was nervious because he was telling what happen and what he saw.

14. I think Oedipus blinds himself instead of commiting suicide because he didn't wanted to abandon his daughters and leave them alone.

15. The Chorus and its leader's feeling have change because they noticed that Oedipus now thinks different.

16. Oedipus asks Creon to take over the throne and watch over his daughters.

17. I think that Creon is going to be a bad leader because he likes to have power and that corrupts people.

1) The oracle and the riddling sphinx are both important to the play. Without either one the play would be completely different or could have not be written at all be Sophocles.
2) My first expression of Oedipus was that he would turn out to be a good leader.
3) The chorus at first are loyal to Oedipus and do as he says. However, as the plays progresses they begin to doubt him.
4) Oedipus came to this conclusion because he thought that they were preventing him from knowing who killed Lauis. What this should about him was that he is very determine to get what he wants.
5) What makes me think tha will happen is that Oedipus will learn the truth.
6) I dont thing Creon is being truthful when he said this. Somewhere in his personality he wants to take the throne away from Oedipus. His character is differs from Oedipus that he gets what he wants one way or another.
7) They backfire because Oedipus wants to know the truth and won't rest until he knows. He doesnt accepts her saying until he learned the truth later on the play.
What it says the pain and confusion is still to come for Oedipus. That he will lose all hope from there and on.
9) The used of "Exposition' on scenes 2&3 led to the truth, Oedipus killed his father Lauis and is married to his mother Jocasta. Jocasta tells of her child that she and Lauis sent far away and the messenger of giving a baby to the king and queen of Corinth given by the Queen of Thebes.
10) Jocasta reaction differs from Oedipus that she decides to commited suicide and Oedipus blind himself from the truth and everything else.
11) I dont agree with his speech about himself. I think the fault should be put to his parents. They are the ones that make the prophecy come to live by sending far away and not knowing who where his real parents.
12) At the point that he hears that the baby was to be sent far away and was deliver to the King and Queen of Corinth. I think he keeps to press on because he wants to know the whole story and not be disturbed by it anymore.
13) The events describe by the second messenger was his being given a baby by the Queen of Thebes and sent far away just to escape a horrible prophecy. I think this scene would have been better if it was shown on stage. It would show how the scene would have seen and can be understand better.
14) I think Oedipus decides to blinf himself instead of commiting suicide because he wants to be blind from everything. He doesn't wants to died, but wants to be blind to not see anymore, and get away from the truth.
15) The chorus and its leader feelings have change completely because now they want for Oedipus to leave. They feel that its not right and should give up his title.
16) What Oedipus asked was for him to be taken far away from Thebes. To be very far away from here and to see his daughters one last time before he does. I think Creon is reluctant to reply because he thinks after everything that has happened this should be the last thing he should wish.
17) The leader I expect for Creon to be is someone who gets whatever he wishes. Either one way or the other. He will turn out to be a leader that might bring the fall of Thebes.