DISCUSSION QUESTIONS ON OEDIPUS
N.B. Pay particular attention to the questions in bold. These are the critical thinking questions. Support your answers with evidence from the text.
PROLOGUE
1. What is the attitude of the Thebans toward Oedipus?
2. What do they ask him to do?
3. What has he already done?
4. What news does Creon bring from the oracle?
5. What does Oedipus promise to do?
6. What are your first impressions of Oedipus? .
7. What examples of irony do you find in the prologue?
8. What examples of imagery do you find in the prologue?
PARADOS
1. Who is the chorus addressing? What is their mood?
EPISODE I
1. How is Oedipus's opening speech ironic and imprudent?
2. Examine how he treats Teiresias.
3. To what extent is he justified in his anger toward Teiresias?
4. Why does Teiresias refuse to tell Oedipus the truth?
5. What examples of irony do you find in this scene?
6. What moral or religious lessons are established?
7. What examples of imagery do you find in this episode?
ODE II
1. How does the chorus react to the previous scene?
2. To what conclusion does the chorus come?
EPISODE II
1. What are Oedipus' charges against Creon?
2. How does Creon defend himself?
3. How does the choregos act as judge?
4. What are your first impressions of Jocasta?
5. What is her purpose in telling the story about Laius?
6. What examples of irony do you find in the scene?
EPISODE III
1. What news does the Corinthian messenger bring?
2. Compare the reactions of Oedipus and Jocasta to the news?
3. What further news about Oedipus' "father" reverses the course of action?
4. At what point does Jocasta recognize the truth?
5. To what extent does Oedipus give evidence of pride?
6. What examples of irony do you find in this scene?
ODE IV
1. What is the chorus' reaction to Oedipus and the news?
EPISODE IV
1. What part of the whole truth does the Theban shepherd know?
2. What part of the whole truth does the Corinthian messenger know?
3. At what point does Oedipus realize the truth?
4. What examples of imagery do you find in this episode?
ODE V
1. What is the reaction of the chorus to the previous scene?
EXODOS
1. Why is Jocasta's suicide and Oedipus' blinding reported by a messenger rather than directly presented?
2. Where does Oedipus recognize and repent for his tragic flaw?
3. What examples of imagery do you find in the exodos?
4. What is the moral of the play?