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Questions and Answers
What does Creon relay as the command from Apollo regarding the corruption in Thebes?
What does Creon relay as the command from Apollo regarding the corruption in Thebes?
- To punish the innocent.
- To drive the corruption from the land. (correct)
- To hide the corruption until further notice.
- To seek forgiveness from the gods.
What does Oedipus express more concern for?
What does Oedipus express more concern for?
- His own life.
- The gods' wrath.
- The plight of his people. (correct)
- The future of Thebes.
Which character was killed in Thebes, according to Creon?
Which character was killed in Thebes, according to Creon?
- Jocasta.
- Laius. (correct)
- A messenger.
- Creon himself.
According to Creon, how should the murder be addressed?
According to Creon, how should the murder be addressed?
What did the sole survivor of Laius's group imply happened during the attack?
What did the sole survivor of Laius's group imply happened during the attack?
What concern does Oedipus express while seeking the murderer's whereabouts?
What concern does Oedipus express while seeking the murderer's whereabouts?
What does Oedipus question about the circumstances of Laius's death?
What does Oedipus question about the circumstances of Laius's death?
What motivates Creon to bring Oedipus the message from the god?
What motivates Creon to bring Oedipus the message from the god?
What is the role of the Furies as described in the content?
What is the role of the Furies as described in the content?
What metaphor is used to describe the man being hunted?
What metaphor is used to describe the man being hunted?
What key theme is suggested by the 'dark wings beating around him'?
What key theme is suggested by the 'dark wings beating around him'?
What does the skilled prophet do that causes such fear?
What does the skilled prophet do that causes such fear?
What is Oedipus's relationship to Polybus as described in the content?
What is Oedipus's relationship to Polybus as described in the content?
What does the speaker express uncertainty about?
What does the speaker express uncertainty about?
What does the 'heart of Earth' represent in the passage?
What does the 'heart of Earth' represent in the passage?
What motivates Oedipus to seek out the truth about Laius's murder?
What motivates Oedipus to seek out the truth about Laius's murder?
What role does Creon play in the dialogue between him and Oedipus?
What role does Creon play in the dialogue between him and Oedipus?
What is implied by the phrase 'there is no test, no certain proof'?
What is implied by the phrase 'there is no test, no certain proof'?
How does Oedipus view his role in the fate of Thebes?
How does Oedipus view his role in the fate of Thebes?
What is the primary concern of the Chorus as they chant their plea to the gods?
What is the primary concern of the Chorus as they chant their plea to the gods?
In the context of this passage, what does the term 'corruption' refer to?
In the context of this passage, what does the term 'corruption' refer to?
What does Oedipus instruct the priests to do?
What does Oedipus instruct the priests to do?
What action does Oedipus take after learning about Laius's murder?
What action does Oedipus take after learning about Laius's murder?
What implication does the mention of the Sphinx have on the city of Thebes?
What implication does the mention of the Sphinx have on the city of Thebes?
What fate is foretold for the protagonist in the passage?
What fate is foretold for the protagonist in the passage?
How does the protagonist react upon hearing the oracle's message?
How does the protagonist react upon hearing the oracle's message?
What occurs at the triple crossroad that the protagonist encounters?
What occurs at the triple crossroad that the protagonist encounters?
What does the protagonist express about his feelings of isolation?
What does the protagonist express about his feelings of isolation?
What does the protagonist refer to himself as in this passage?
What does the protagonist refer to himself as in this passage?
What is the significance of the phrase 'I killed them all—every mother’s son'?
What is the significance of the phrase 'I killed them all—every mother’s son'?
What does the protagonist believe he must avoid at all costs?
What does the protagonist believe he must avoid at all costs?
How does the protagonist perceive the curses upon him?
How does the protagonist perceive the curses upon him?
Which god is mentioned as the lord of frenzy?
Which god is mentioned as the lord of frenzy?
What relationship does Oedipus claim to have with the man he recognizes?
What relationship does Oedipus claim to have with the man he recognizes?
Where does the Shepherd indicate he mostly did his grazing?
Where does the Shepherd indicate he mostly did his grazing?
What role did the Shepherd claim to have in relation to King Laius?
What role did the Shepherd claim to have in relation to King Laius?
What does Oedipus ask the Shepherd about the Messenger?
What does Oedipus ask the Shepherd about the Messenger?
What reason does the Messenger give for the Shepherd's inability to remember him?
What reason does the Messenger give for the Shepherd's inability to remember him?
What does Oedipus inquire about first when addressing the Shepherd?
What does Oedipus inquire about first when addressing the Shepherd?
Which character expresses uncertainty about their prior encounters?
Which character expresses uncertainty about their prior encounters?
Study Notes
The Plague in Thebes
- Oedipus assumes the role of Thebes' savior, vowing to find the source of the plague.
- He believes that ridding Thebes of the corruption caused by Laius's murder will banish the plague.
- The plague is a divine punishment for the unresolved murder of Laius.
Creon's Report
- Creon relays Apollo's oracle, demanding the cleansing of the land and the punishment of Laius's murderer.
- He states that Laius was killed on his way to consult the oracle at Delphi.
- Only one witness, a terrified servant, survived the attack.
Oedipus's Investigation
- Oedipus expresses a desire to investigate the murder thoroughly.
- He suspects that the killer may have been a paid assassin, rather than a single, daring thief.
- He considers himself divinely appointed to solve the mystery.
The Sphinx
- The Sphinx's riddle focused the city's attention on a different problem, delaying the investigation into Laius's murder.
- This delay, according to Creon, prevented the discovery of the killer.
Oedipus's Confession
- Oedipus recounts killing a group of men at a crossroads, including the driver and a man he describes as old and "shouldering him aside".
- He expresses his regret and fear, feeling cursed by the gods for his possible involvement in Laius's murder.
- He recognizes the weight of his actions and fears being labeled an outcast.
The Shepherd
- Oedipus directs his questions to the Shepherd, who is a former servant of Laius.
- The Shepherd is tasked with corroborating the Messenger’s account.
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Description
Explore the themes and events of Oedipus Rex that revolve around the plague afflicting Thebes. Learn how Oedipus seeks to uncover the truth behind Laius's murder, while facing divine retribution. Dive deep into Creon's report and Oedipus's determination to cleanse the city from its corruption.
