Oedipus SG Questions

Prologue
1. What is the dramatic purpose of the prologue?
2. How does Oedipus characterize himself? What is his role? Is his view of himself accurate?

Parados
6. What is the function of the Chorus in its first scene?

Scene I
10. In the interview with Teiresias, Oedipus reveals a great deal about his character. Explain what insights are gained.
11. Note the emphasis of sight and blindness in the dialogue between Oedipus and Teiresias. Give some examples and discuss what irony is implicit in this emphasis.
12. What suspicions does Oedipus begin to harbor about Creon? How does the chorus respond to this suspicion? What does this reveal about Oedipus’ character?

Ode I
13. What is the tone of the Chorus? What is its view of Teiresias’ accusations against Oedipus?

Scene II
17. Oedipus is relentless in his search for the truth. What language in the play illustrates this point?
18. Oedipus, the seeker of truth, is not comforted by Jocasta’s revelation about the death of Laius. Why? What does his continued interrogation reveal about his character?
19. What is Jocasta’s reaction to the divine prophecy? Why?

Ode II
20. What kinds of pride are mentioned in this Choral speech? In what way specifically can the words of the Chorus in the second and third stanzas apply to Oedipus? What concern does the Chorus express in the fourth stanza?
21. How does this third Choral speech differ from the first two?

Scene III
25. What Jocasta pleads with Oedipus to abandon his search for the truth, on what does he base his refusal? What does this reveal about him?

Ode III
26. What is the significance of the fourth major Choral speech? How does it elucidate the play’s theme?

Ode IV
28. Summarize the account of Oedipus’ life given by the Chorus in the next two stanzas.
29. What general comment on human life does the Chorus make based on the example of Oedipus?

Exodos
30. What is the significance of Oedipus’ self-blinding?
32. What important truth about his life does Creon point out to Oedipus?
33. What general observations does the Chorus make about the example of Oedipus’ life?