Oedipus play part 1 & 2 Pre-test

In Oedipus the King, Part I, what danger threatens the city of Thebes? A.an epidemic of the plague B.a large-scale economic crisis C.an invasion by an enemy army D.a severe and long-lasting drought

A.an epidemic of the plague

In Oedipus the King, Part I, Oedipus asks Teiresias for guidance and help in finding the murderer of Laius. Teiresias replies "Alas! It is a miserable thing to be wise when wisdom brings no reward." Which best explains Teiresias' meaning? A. He believes that identifying the murderer will only make matters worse for everyone. B. He does not want to reveal the murderer's name unless he is promised a handsome payment. C. He hopes to conceal the loss of his wisdom by refusing to tell Oedipus who the murderer is. D. He no longer remembers the name of the murderer but does not want to lose a reward by admitting it.

A. He believes that identifying the murderer will only make matters worse for everyone.

Part A In Oedipus the King, Part I, the chorus sings an ode after the Oedipus-Teiresias episode. Based on the strophes and the answering antistrophes, what does the chorus conclude? A. Oedipus has given them reason to trust his wisdom and innocence. B. Oedipus will flee Thebes, but he will not be able to hide from the gods. C. Oedipus will no longer be able to save the city even though he was able to save it from the Sphinx. D. The words of Teiresias should not be heeded because Teiresias bases his prophecies on the flights of birds. Part B Which of the following lines from the antistrophes best support the answer to Part A? A. Chorus. Parnassus! Blinding peak of snow! / You flash to earth the icy will of the gods. / Find the killer. Find the man who roams. B. Chorus. There is nowhere to hide from the light / Of Apollo's shrine, / When voices divine hunt him down. C. Chorus. Zeus and Apollo know all things, /.../ But that a prophet knows more than I, / What proof is there? One man may possess / More wisdom than another. D. Chorus. He saved our city from the Sphinx / Was tested hard and shone like gold. / To my mind he is wise and guilt-free.

A. Oedipus has given them reason to trust his wisdom and innocence. D. Chorus. He saved our city from the Sphinx / Was tested hard and shone like gold. / To my mind he is wise and guilt-free.

In Oedipus the King, Part II, what news does the Messenger bring from Corinth? Choose two options. A. Polybus has died of natural causes. B. The oracle has identified the murderer. C. Polybus was not Oedipus' natural father. D. Laius has turned up alive and well in Corinth. E. Merope has sent for Oedipus to return to Corinth.

A. Polybus has died of natural causes. C. Polybus was not Oedipus' natural father.

In Oedipus the King, Part II, why does Jocasta urge Oedipus not to interview the Shepherd? A. She realizes that the baby she gave up to the Shepherd is Oedipus. B. She is afraid the Shepherd may turn out to be Oedipus' father. C. She knows that the Shepherd is a prophet in disguise. D. She thinks Creon has paid the Shepherd to lie.

A. She realizes that the baby she gave up to the Shepherd is Oedipus.

Given the statements of the Chorus from the time Oedipus is revealed as the murderer until the end of Oedipus the King, Part II, which best describes the Thebans' attitude toward him? A. They feel pity. B. They feel rage. C. They feel resentment. D.They feel embarrassment.

A. They feel pity.

If a respected King gave new edicts to his loyal subjects, how would his subjects most likely respond to them? Base your answer on the meaning of edicts. A. They would adopt them. B. They would ignore them. C. They would challenge them. D. They would keep them a secret.

A. They would adopt them.

Part A Which of the following best describes an aspect of the hamartia, or tragic character flaw, that causes Oedipus to fall? A. arrogance toward the gods and oracles B. indecisiveness when swift action is needed C. overwhelming jealousy and distrust of his wife D. unwillingness to stand up for what he believes in Part B Which of the following choices best supports the answer to Part A? A. Oedipus boasts that the prophecies about his future turned out to be wrong. B. Oedipus continues to question the Shepherd after Jocasta warns him to stop. C. Oedipus is maddened with grief when he learns that Jocasta has killed herself. D.Oedipus insists on showing himself to the Thebans after he has put out his eyes.

A. arrogance toward the gods and oracles A. Oedipus boasts that the prophecies about his future turned out to be wrong.

Part A According to Oedipus the King, Part I, which is the most reasonable inference to draw about what kind of king Oedipus is? A. responsible and considerate B. mysterious and secretive C. charming and talented D. fierce and terrifying Part B Which of the following lines from the play best support the answer to Part A? A. Oedipus. Tell me what is troubling you./.../...Never doubt that I will help you in every way I can. B. Priest. My lord we are plunged into darkness. Death alone grows fat upon our agony. C. Priest. When no men throng the streets, the city walls are nothing and our proud ships mere empty shells. D.Creon. Do you wish me to speak in public in front of all these men? I will of course.

A. responsible and considerate A. Oedipus. Tell me what is troubling you./.../...Never doubt that I will help you in every way I can.

In Oedipus the King, Part II, what makes Oedipus sure that he fulfilled the prophecy? A. the Shepherd's claim that he was given a child by Jocasta and that Jocasta was the mother of the child B. the Messenger's claim that Oedipus' feet were pinned together when he was a baby C. the Shepherd's inability to remember and recognize the Messenger D. Jocasta's decision to pay her respects at the shrines of the gods

A. the Shepherd's claim that he was given a child by Jocasta and that Jocasta was the mother of the child

Why does Creon come to find Oedipus after Oedipus shows himself, newly blinded, to the Chorus of Thebans? A. to ask Oedipus to return to the palace B. to send Oedipus forth from Thebes C. to condemn Oedipus to death D.to escort Oedipus to prison

A. to ask Oedipus to return to the palace

Part A Read the following dialogue from Oedipus the King, Part II: Chorus. You have chosen a painful path. It were better to be no more than to live in darkness. Oedipus. No! What I have done is right. You cannot change my mind. Which best explains why Oedipus insists that he has done the right thing by putting out his eyes? A. He wants to salvage something from the tragedy for his children. B. He believes he must atone for his crimes before he dies. C. He hopes the Thebans will take pity on his blindness. D. He cannot save Thebes without making a sacrifice. Part B Which of the following lines of dialogue from Part II best supports the answer to Part A? A. Oedipus. I have sinned against them both. / To hang myself would not wash clean that sin. B. Oedipus. Cithaeron, why did you keep me safe . . . why did you not kill me? C. Oedipus. You were the silent witnesses to my crime. You drove me here to save the city. D.Oedipus. The decision was made . . . death to the father-killer, the murderer. I am he.

B. He believes he must atone for his crimes before he dies. A. Oedipus. I have sinned against them both. / To hang myself would not wash clean that sin.

Given Oedipus' words and actions in the final scene of Oedipus the King, Part II, what important life lesson has he learned? A. He has learned fidelity. B. He has learned humility. C. He has learned compassion. D. He has learned responsibility.

B. He has learned humility.

What happens to Oedipus at the conclusion of Oedipus the King, Part II? A. He attempts to commit suicide. B. He pleads to be sent into exile. C. He disappears from Thebes. D. He becomes a palace slave.

B. He pleads to be sent into exile.

Oedipus the King,Part I includes a lengthy conversation among Oedipus, Creon, Jocasta, and the Chorus leader, or choragos. Which best describes the choragos' part in this scene? A. The choragos suggests that Oedipus should give up the throne. B. The choragos expresses approval of Creon's argument. C. The choragos warns Jocasta that disaster will strike. D. The choragos urges Oedipus to distrust Creon.

B. The choragos expresses approval of Creon's argument.

The prologue of Oedipus the King, Part I ends as Creon and Oedipus leave the stage with the Priest. The Chorus then sings the parados. Which best describes the purpose served by the parados? A. The parados emphasizes the Thebans' determination to find the murderer. B. The parados underscores the anxiety and despair felt throughout Thebes. C. The parados provides details of the evil deeds of the murderer of Laius. D. The parados shows that the people no longer have faith in the gods.

B. The parados underscores the anxiety and despair felt throughout Thebes.

In Oedipus the King, Part I, what instructions does Creon receive from the oracle? A. Thebes must build a new temple to Apollo. B. Thebes must punish the murderer of Laius. C. Thebes must solve the riddle of the Sphinx. D.Thebes must make a sacrifice to the oracle.

B. Thebes must punish the murderer of Laius.

Oedipus the King, Part I ends in a long episode for Oedipus and Jocasta. What does their conversation in this episode most clearly reveal about their relationship? A. They are both afraid of saying what they really think, revealing that they do not understand each other. B. They offer each other comfort and exchange confidences, revealing that they love and trust each other. C. They argue fiercely over Creon, revealing that their primary loyalties are to outsiders instead of each other. D. They keep important secrets from one another, revealing that each suspects the other of possible betrayal.

B. They offer each other comfort and exchange confidences, revealing that they love and trust each other.

Which of the following situations best illustrates the meaning of oracles in ancient Greece? Base your answer on the meaning of oracles. A. individuals who asked the gods for protection B. individuals who relayed messages from the gods C. individuals who received guidance from the gods through dreams D. individuals who received divine inspiration to write plays and poetry

B. individuals who relayed messages from the gods

Which of the following best explains why Oedipus the King is considered a tragedy? A. the fact that two of the story's major characters suffer violent death or disfigurement B. the fact that a respected and admired king is undone by circumstance and by flaws in his own character C. the fact that all the characters in the story have good intentions but cannot bring about a happy ending D.the fact that the story contains several examples of conflict and disagreement between and among the major characters

B. the fact that a respected and admired king is undone by circumstance and by flaws in his own character

Which is the best definition of the Latin root -dict-? A. to rule or lead B. to say or speak C. to argue or quarrel D. to move or gesture

B. to say or speak

In Oedipus the King, Part I, what causes the quarrel between Creon and Oedipus? A. Creon believes that Oedipus is a bad husband to Jocasta. B. Oedipus knows that Creon never went to see the oracle. C. Oedipus believes Creon wants to seize his throne. D.Creon recognizes Oedipus as the killer of Laius.

C. Oedipus believes Creon wants to seize his throne.

According to the ode sung after the Oedipus-Teiresias episode in Oedipus the King, Part I, what does the Chorus believe will eventually happen in Thebes? A. They believe that Thebes will be divided by a bitter civil war. B. They believe that Teiresias will recover his sight and confess. C. They believe that Apollo will eventually reveal the murderer. D. They believe that the oracle told Creon the murderer's name.

C. They believe that Apollo will eventually reveal the murderer.

Which of the following situations best illustrates the meaning of proclamation? A. a priest raising an olive branch to the sun B. a large crowd cheering for a king C. a queen giving a speech D.a man listening to advice

C. a queen giving a speech

Part A Which best describes the mood of the Chorus in the ode that follows the Oedipus-Teiresias episode of Oedipus the King, Part I? A. furious at Teiresias' accusations and calling for his execution B. suspicious of Oedipus' bluster and insisting he confess the truth C. distressed at Teiresias' revelations and uncertain what to do next D. confident that Oedipus will calm down and hopeful for a swift resolution Part B Which of the following lines from the ode best support the answer to Part A? A. Chorus. Who is this man of unspeakable darkness? / He must fly like the wind's swift steeds. / For on his heels Apollo races / In the blinding light of his father's fire. B. Chorus. Find the killer. Find the man who roams / Like a bull in the forest's shadow, / Raging in the haunting dark as his doom hovers, / Ready to strike. C. Chorus. The man skilled in the beating of the wings of birds / Troubles me deeply. Is there truth in his art? / I am lost. I have no words. I can see neither / Past nor future. D. Chorus. There was no quarrel ever that I knew / Between our royal house and Polybus, father of our king. / There is no proof.

C. distressed at Teiresias' revelations and uncertain what to do next C. Chorus. The man skilled in the beating of the wings of birds / Troubles me deeply. Is there truth in his art? / I am lost. I have no words. I can see neither / Past nor future.

Part A Which best characterizes Creon's response when Oedipus accuses him of planning to usurp the throne in Oedipus the King Part I? A. Creon challenges Oedipus to an all-out fight for the crown. B. Creon admits that he is guilty of plotting to take the throne. C. Creon laughs at Oedipus' accusation and refuses to discuss it. D. Creon explains reasonably why Oedipus is wrong to accuse him. Part B Which of the following lines of dialogue best support the answer to Part A? A. Creon. But if I were king I would have to do things which I did not want. / So why should I seek the crown...? B. Creon. In time you will know the truth.../.../ A wicked man is discovered in the passing light of a single day. C. Creon. No! Let me die amongst the damned if I ever wished you harm! D.Creon. Over nothing? You are wrong, my sister. / Your husband will send me into exile or to my death.

D. Creon explains reasonably why Oedipus is wrong to accuse him. A. Creon. But if I were king I would have to do things which I did not want. / So why should I seek the crown...?

When Teiresias appears before Oedipus in Oedipus the King, Part I, what claims does he state? Choose two options. A. He claims that the oracle has not spoken truly. B. He claims that Oedipus caused his blindness. C. He claims that Creon ordered him to speak. D. He claims that Laius was Oedipus' father. E. He claims that Oedipus murdered Laius.

D. He claims that Laius was Oedipus' father. E. He claims that Oedipus murdered Laius.

Part A Which of the following choices best describes Creon's behavior toward Oedipus at the end of Oedipus the King, Part II? A. He appears disgusted with Oedipus. B. He refuses to acknowledge Oedipus. C. He treats Oedipus with strict justice. D. He shows pity and compassion for Oedipus. Part B Which of the following choices best supports the answer to Part A? A. Creon takes over Oedipus' role as head of the family. B. Creon confesses that he is to blame for Oedipus' downfall. C. Creon allows Oedipus to embrace and bless his daughters. D.Creon reminds Oedipus that his fate is in the hands of the gods.

D. He shows pity and compassion for Oedipus. C. Creon allows Oedipus to embrace and bless his daughters.

When Teiresias accuses Oedipus in Oedipus the King, Part I, Oedipus immediately assumes, without evidence, that he and Creon are traitors. Given the details of the play up to this point, what is the most likely reason Oedipus is so quick to accuse the others? A. Teiresias is an old blind man who has lost his ability to see the future. B. Oedipus knows that he is guilty as charged and tries to cover up with bluster. C. Creon is more popular in Thebes than Oedipus and would make a better king. D.Oedipus cannot face the idea that he might have committed such a repulsive crime.

D. Oedipus cannot face the idea that he might have committed such a repulsive crime.

If you were a citizen of ancient Greece, from whom would you be most likely to receive a prophecy? Base your answer on the meaning of prophecy. A. a revered king or queen B. a council of ruling generals C. a group of wise and respected elders D. a seer who interpreted the flights of birds

D. a seer who interpreted the flights of birds

Given your knowledge of the Latin root -dict-, which human ability does the skill of diction most likely focus on? A. seeing B. hearing C. thinking D. speaking

D. speaking

In Oedipus the King, Part I, Jocasta tells Oedipus what she knows about Laius' murder. Which incident in her story does Oedipus recognize as an action he carried out in his own past? A. the beating of one servant who later left Thebes B. the murder of the man he believed to be his father C. the encounter with highwaymen when he was traveling D.the murder of a group of men at a junction of three roads

D. the murder of a group of men at a junction of three roads