Oedipus Rex Study - 1464 Words

Oedipus Rex Study Guide The Prologos 1. What initial step does Oedipus indicate he has already taken? 2. What is the significance of Delphi? What is the message from the oracle at Delphi with which Creon returns? 3. What does Oedipus think about the clue Creon reveals about who murdered King Laios? What might this perception foreshadow? 4. What does Oedipus promise to do at the end of the Prologos? 5. Of what symbolic significance are the olive boughs, strewn at the alter steps as the Thebans address Oedipus? Why does Oedipus tell the suppliants to lift up their olive boughs as they depart? The Parados 1. In strophe 1, what does the chorus ask? 2. In antistrophe 1, to which god and goddesses does the chorus appeal for†¦show more content†¦In light of the caveat in ode 2, what might her statement foreshadow? 4. What attitude toward the gods does Oedipus exhibit after learning of Polybos death? Again in light of ode 2, what is foreshadowed by Oedipus statement? What effect upon the audience might the similarity of reactions of Oedipus and Jocasta have? 5. Though Oedipus is comforted that Polybus, his father, has died of natural causes, what aspect of the oracle still troubles Oedipus? 6. How does the messenger prove that Oedipus was not the child of Polybus and Merope? 7. Why does Jocasta so insistently attempt to stop Oedipus questioning of the messenger? What has Jocasta discovered through the messengers story? 8. What incredible coincidences surround the appearance of the messenger from Corinth and the shepherd? Is such coincidence possible in life? As a moder n audience, why might we believe less in such coincidences than audiences of 5th century, BC? 9. Jocastas exit line is significant. The only word she can call Oedipus is miserable. Why can she not call him husband? Why can she not call him son? Ode 3 1. In ode 3, Kith iron is again mentioned. What is Kithairon, and how is it connected to Oedipus? Refer to scene 3. 2. Who is Pan? Who is Hermes? What is Kyllene? 3. What effect does juxtaposing the pastoral imagery of ode 3 with scene 3 create? What might this suggest about scene 4? The Final Clue 1.Show MoreRelatedA Comparative Tragedy Study of Fatalism and Determinism: Oedipus Rex and Thunderstorm2489 Words   |  10 Pagesï » ¿A Comparative Tragedy Study of Fatalism and Determinism: Oedipus Rex and The Thunderstorm 1. INTRODUTION The Thunderstorm and Oedipus Rex, the representatives of Chinese and Greek play, both tell tragic stories about incest and unexpected destiny. The two masterpieces reveal much about the literature patterns and philosophical implications of the different cultures. The exploration of the two plays could help further understand the oneness of world literature and the tragedy of unlike cultureRead MoreThe Three Themes of Oedipus Rex1106 Words   |  4 PagesThemes of Oedipus Rex The contrast between trust in the gods oracles and trust in intelligence and pride plays out in Oedipus Rex. 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This is a pivotal speech in the play as it helps to develop some of the major themes in the play as well as begin to build up the tragic irony at the center of the story. When this speech is analyzed using either Aristotelian or Formalist theory key el ements can be found that are effective inRead More Destiny, Free Will and Choice - The Power of Fate in Oedipus the King1071 Words   |  5 PagesThe Power of Fate in Oedipus the King The concept of fate has existed since the time of the ancient Greeks. The Greeks believed very strongly in fate, which can be defined as either a power beyond human control that determines events, or the outcome or end. In Oedipus Rex, King Oedipus lives and dies by fate. Fate influences the entire plot, thereby allowing for some interesting developments that may be unpredictable to the audience. 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