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 did Oedipus say would be the worst that would happen to the person who had previously withheld information about the murder of King Laius, even if the murderer himself admitted to the crime? (Lines 248-261)
What did Oedipus offer to the one who would turn in information about a foreigner who had committed this crime? (Lines 262-265)
What did Oedipus order “every citizen of the state” to do? (Lines 266-279)
What curse did Oedipus invoke against the one who committed the murder? (Lines 280-287)
What curse did Oedipus invoke against the citizen that failed to obey his orders? (Lines 307-314)
What did Tiresias not want to do? (Lines 364-379)
What did Tiresias reveal to Oedipus about Laius’ murderer? (Lines 398-413)
How did Oedipus respond to the message of the prophet? (Lines 420-459)
According to lines 527-537 who will bring destruction upon Laius’ murderer?
Logic Questions: (Interpreting, Comparing/Contrasting, Reasoning)
Why did Tiresias change his mind and decide to tell Oedipus the truth about what he knew? (Lines 393-401)
When Oedipus disbelieves Tiresias, why does he assume that Creon is plotting against him? (Line 431)
Tiresias says, “This day will bring your birth and your destruction.” (Line 499) What does he mean by this?
What is the meaning of the Chorus’ words when they say, “The skilled prophet scans the birds and shatters me with terror!”? (Line 550)
How is the notion of blindness versus sight important in this reading?
Rhetoric Questions: (The Analysis of Ideas in the Text)
Does a person’s ignorance of having done something wrong absolve them from being guilty? If so, why? If not, why not?
Theological Analysis: (Sola Scriptura)
Read Leviticus 18:1-18. How does this passage relate to our current reading?
Virtues/Vices/Great Ideas: (Find them in the Text)
Light vs. Darkness, Fate, Justice, Loyalty