Some questions to mull over as you read the play, OEDIPUS REX (think of the play as a CSI: Thebes):

Pages 3 - 23

1. In the beginning how does Oedipus come across as a leader and as a man? Notice the difference between Oedipus and Creon in deciding whether to reveal information regarding the city in front of the people.

2. What is the current situation in Thebes?

3. Why do the supplicants come to see Oedipus?

4. What did Oedipus do years ago for the people of Thebes?

5. Who is Creon? How is he related to Oedipus?

6. Why is there a plague on Thebes? What does this punishment reveal about the gods?

7. According to Creon, how did Laios, the former king of Thebes, die?

8. How and from whom did the story of Laios' death originate?

9. What do you think is the Chorus' function?

10. What will be done to the man who steps forward with the identity of the murderer?

10. What does Oedipus order his people to do on page 13 if they know the identity of the murderer or if they harbor the murderer?

11. What role does Oedipus offer to take upon himself in the avenging of Laios' murder?

12. What is an oracle?

13. What does Oedipus say about the will of the gods on page 14?

14. Who is Teiresias? (We met him years ago in THE ODYSSEY when Odysseus traveled to Hades to learn how to return home.) Why was he sent for? What does the Chorus say about him? Why do you think he hasn't responded to Odyseus' repeated summons?

15. What is Teiresias' mood when he finally does arrive to speak with Oedipus? Why do you think he doesn't want to speak to Oedipus?

16. What does Oedipus accuse Teiresias of doing?

17. What does Oedipus mean when he says," If you had eyes, I'd say the crime was yours."

18. What does Teiresias say about the truth?

19. Who does Teiresias say is the murderer?

20. What does Oedipus accuse Teiresias and Creon of doing?

20. What is the strange riddling paradoxes Teiresias throws at Oedipus? What do you think "...A blind man, Who has his eyes now; a penniless man, who is rich now...." means?

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