Oedipus Questions Essay

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Oedipus Rex Discussion Questions 1. What is significant about the fact that the first line of the play is a question? 2. How does Oedipus choose the spokesman of the group of supplicants? 3. What is your first impression of Oedipus? 4. What problem is afflicting Thebes at this time? 5. What is the House of Cadmus? 6. How does the Priest say the supplicants view Oedipus? How does this begin to establish Oedipus as an Aristotelian tragic hero? 7. In case we didn’t already know it, what exposition does the Priest provide in this scene? 8. Why do the supplicants believe that Oedipus will be able to find a solution to the famine? 9. Why does Oedipus claim he suffers even more than the supplicants? 10. What impression do we get from Oedipus based on his language? 11. What action has Oedipus taken to find an answer to the city’s problem? 12. What is Oedipus and Creon’s relationship? 13. What is foreshadowed by Oedipus’ promise to the Priest? 14. Why does the Priest suspect Creon brings good news? 15. When Creon arrives from Delphi, what does Oedipus insist that he do? What does this indicate about his character? 16. Why do you suppose Creon wants to talk to Oedipus in private first? 17. What does Creon report from the Oracle? 18. What is Oedipus’ reaction to Creon’s information? 19. Explain the dramatic irony in Oedipus’ interrogation of Creon. 20. What is ironic about the one survivor’s testimony? 21. What theory does Oedipus immediately develop about Laius’ death? 22. Why did the citizens of Thebes not investigate Laius’ murder at the time it occurred? 23. What does Oedipus promise to do? Why, according to Oedipus, must his resolution be strong? 24. Why does the Chorus appear at this point in the play? 25. Whose voices does the Chorus represent? 26. Give details of how the Chorus describes the city to the gods. 27. What does Ares represent to

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