If you are looking for the beginning of the study for Oedipus the King then you can go HERE for a brief introduction. At the bottom of the introduction you will find the links to each section of the study guide as it becomes available. For an introduction to Sophocles’ Three Theban Plays, and the concept of tragedy as a genre, you can click HERE. If you would like to see the growing list of available book studies you can go HERE. Enjoy!
Grammar Questions: (The Information of the Text)
What is happening in the city of Thebes that has everyone so concerned? (Lines 1-38)
How do the people of Thebes esteem their leader, Oedipus? (Lines 39-48)
What did the priest ask Oedipus to do for the city? (Lines 57-69)
What did Oedipus do in order to figure out how he might help his people? (Lines 70-89)
What must be done, according to the oracle of Delphi, in order to save Thebes? (Lines 107-122)
Who killed King Laius according to the surviving eye-witness? (Lines 138-139)
What hindered the Theban people from pursuing the killer of their king? (Lines 145-149)
What did the Chorus ask the gods to do for the city of Thebes? (Lines 228-237)
Logic Questions: (Interpreting, Comparing/Contrasting, Reasoning)
Why did the priests come to Oedipus for help since he is just a man? (Lines 16-69)
Why did Apollo demand that the Thebans “Banish the man, or pay back blood with blood” for King Laius’ murder? (Line 113)
Why did Oedipus believe his own safety may be in danger if the murderer of Laius remains free? (Lines 156–159)
What did the Chorus mean by saying, “Thebes like a great army dying and there is no sword of thought to save us”? (Lines 194-195)
Concerning the role of the gods in this story, how does it differ from the way they are presented in Tales of the Greek Heroes?
Rhetoric Questions: (The Analysis of Ideas in the Text)
Some crimes have what is called a “statute of limitation” which means they cannot be prosecuted after a certain amount of time has passed. For example, a person who is now 20 years old cannot be prosecuted for stealing a candy bar when he was 13. It has been years since the murder of Laius, should that have an effect on whether or not the perpetrator should be prosecuted or to what extent? Explain your answer with reason.
Theological Analysis: (Sola Scriptura)
Read Exodus 32:30-35 and Revelation 2:16 (and its context). What connection would you make between this passage and our current reading from Sophocles?
Virtues/Vices/Great Ideas: (Find them in the Text)
Ignorance, Justice