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 was Jocasta doing as this section of the reading began? (Lines 998-1011)
What news did the messenger from Corinth come to deliver? (Lines 1024-1034)
What was Oedipus’ reaction to the news of the Corinthian messenger? (Lines 1054-1064)
What further news from the Corinthian messenger turns the story back toward dread for Oedipus? (Lines 1111-1154)
Who did Oedipus call his true mother? (Lines 1188-1190)
Who was Oedipus’ birth mother according to the shepherd? (Lines 1286-1310)
What, according to the Chorus, brought the truth to light? (Lines 1340-1345)
Logic Questions: (Interpreting, Comparing/Contrasting, Reasoning)
How do we see both religious observance and unbelief in Jocasta’ behavior? (Lines 998-1011)
Why did the news, which Jocasta received from the Corinthian messenger, please her? (Lines 1036-1040)
Why did Jocasta say, “Old shepherd, talk, empty nonsense, don’t give it another thought.” and “Stop – in the name of each god, if you love your own life, call off this search!” (Lines 1157-1164)
Why did Oedipus call “Chance, the great goddess, the giver of all things”? (Lines 1189-1190) What does this mean?
Why is the shepherd slow to admit he knows the Corinthian messenger? (Lines 1225-1253)
Rhetoric Questions: (The Analysis of Ideas in the Text)
What do you think is the connection between ignorance and unbelief? Does one always precede the other? Defend your answer with reason.
Theological Analysis: (Sola Scriptura)
Compare Jocasta’s words, “It’s all chance, chance rules our lives… better to live at random…live, Oedipus, as if there is no tomorrow!” with the following passages: Proverbs 16:33; Psalm 139; and Ephesians 1:3-14. In light of these passages (and many others) what would be your response to Jocasta if she told you the same?
Virtues/Vices/Great Ideas: (Find them in the Text)
Religion, Unbelief, Fate vs. Fortune, Hatred, Light vs. Darkness, Despair