at the oracle (c) in the forest (d)

Name_______________________________________

English IV (A)

Mr. Hoffmann

Oedipus Rex Scene 1 Quiz

1. At the beginning of the play, where have the townspeople gathered?
(a) in front of the palace
(b) at the oracle
(c) in the forest
(d) in a shrine

2. What does Oedipus call the people of Thebes?
(a) the gods' children
(b) the gods' creations
(c) his creations
(d) his children

3. What is Oedipus' initial attitude toward the crowd that has gathered?
(a) angry and annoyed
(b) critical and derisive
(c) overjoyed and cheerful
(d) caring and helpful

4. Who speaks for the people of Thebes as their leader?
(a) the priest of Zeus
(b) the prophet of Hera
(c) the parliamentary leader
(d) the oracle

5. Who does the priest say has gathered?
(a) townspeople from the very young to the very old
(b) everyone but those ill from disease
(c) all the sick and elderly townspeople
(d) all the young and hearty townspeople

6. Where are the townspeople who are not gathered to speak with Oedipus?
(a) in their graves
(b) at the gods' shrines asking for help
(c) in the fields, trying to cure the diseases
(d) at home, caring for the sick

7. What does the priest call pestilence?
(a) a sinister snake
(b) a fiery god
(c) a thundering beast
(d) a roaring lion

8. Why does the priest say they've come to Oedipus?
(a) because he's the first among men
(b) because he's a god to the town
(c) because he's the one they all blame
(d) because he's got the power of wealth

9. What does the priest point out about Oedipus overcoming the Sphinx?
(a) Oedipus used superior training to defeat the Sphinx, and no one else had the same benefits.
(b) Oedipus was able to defeat the Sphinx because of his powerful arm and his connections to royalty.
(c) Oedipus defeated the Sphinx only out of sheer luck.
(d) Oedipus had no more knowledge or instruction than the townspeople, and yet was able to solve the riddle.

10. How is the tale of Oedipus and the Sphinx treated in the town?
(a) People still tell the story of Oedipus and the Sphinx.
(b) People only remember the story in times of trouble.
(c) People have already forgotten what Oedipus has done for them.
(d) Oedipus constantly forces the town to hear the story again.

11. Who does the priest suggest Oedipus listen to, in order to solve the town's problems?
(a) Zeus's oracle
(b) the town elders
(c) the blind prophet
(d) the gods or wise men

12. What does the priest say that Oedipus will be king of, if he doesn't solve the town's problems?
(a) a desert
(b) a mountain
(c) an ocean
(d) a forest

13. What is Creon's relationship to Oedipus?
(a) brother-in-law
(b) no relation
(c) brother
(d) father-in-law

14. Why does Oedipus say his sorrow is greater than the townspeople?
(a) Oedipus is full of fear that he will be dethroned.
(b) Oedipus says his personal loss from the plague is worse than anyone else's.
(c) Oedipus's heart is greater and therefore his sorrow is greater.
(d) Oedipus has sorrow for himself, the city, and all the townspeople.

15. What does Oedipus say he's been doing in his sorrow?
(a) He's been carefully questioning all the townspeople who could help.
(b) He's been thinking about possible paths to a solution.
(c) He's been offering sacrifices to all the gods.
(d) He's been paralyzed by the horror that's come on the town.

16. Where has Oedipus sent Creon?
(a) to wander the wilderness
(b) to the kingdom of Corinth
(c) to Zeus's oracle
(d) to Apollo's shrine

17. What is Creon wearing on his head as he approaches the town?
(a) a laurel wreath
(b) a crown
(c) a hood
(d) a chain of daisies

18. How does Creon's face look as he approaches?
(a) nonexpressive
(b) sad
(c) angry
(d) happy

19. What does Oedipus first say to Creon as he approaches?
(a) He asks who Creon has spoken to.
(b) He asks why Creon looks so strange.
(c) He asks why Creon is so late.
(d) He asks what message the gods sent.

20. What does Creon say of the news he brings?
(a) It's both good and bad news.
(b) It's hard to interpret if it's good or bad.
(c) It's bad news.
(d) It's good news.

21. Why does Oedipus ask Creon to speak in front of the townspeople?
(a) Oedipus wants the townspeople to become used to Creon's voice.
(b) Oedipus feels more for the townspeople than for his own life.
(c) Oedipus wants to show Creon that he's not afraid.
(d) Oedipus wants to show the townspeople he's not afraid.

22. What does Creon say has caused the disasters to the town?
(a) a slight to the gods
(b) an unfulfilled prophecy
(c) a fight between protecting gods
(d) an unavenged murder

23. Does Oedipus say he's ever met Laius?
(a) Yes, he says he met Laius once.
(b) He says no, but he realizes he's met Laius many times.
(c) No, Oedipus believes he's never met Laius.
(d) Yes, he says he's med Laius many times.

24. Where does Creon say the murderer of Lauis is?
(a) in Corinth
(b) on the nearby mountain
(c) hiding in the countryside
(d) in Thebes

25. Where does Creon say Laius was when he was killed?
(a) on the road to Delphi
(b) on the way to visit a nearby shepherd
(c) on an ocean voyage
(d) in the palace

26. What does Creon say about Laius' companions when he was killed?
(a) They were all killed.
(b) They all ran away.
(c) They were all killed but one, who ran away.
(d) The king was alone.

27. According to Creon, who does a witness say killed Laius?
(a) a lone traveller
(b) a band of soldiers
(c) a man with the power of a god
(d) a gang of robbers

28. What does Oedipus say the killers had to have?
(a) financial help from Thebes
(b) a dictate from a god
(c) a promise of reward from Corinth
(d) a dictate from a prophet

29. What does Creon say stopped the city from looking into the king's death?
(a) a war with Corinth
(b) a plague on the crops
(c) a storm that destroyed the town
(d) trouble with the Sphinx

30. What does Creon say about the god's call to avenge Laius' death now?
(a) He says it is too late for revenge.
(b) He says it will be an easy task.
(c) He says it is fitting.
(d) He says the gods have asked the impossible.

31. What does Oedipus say he has to fear from Laius' murderer?
(a) The murderer may want to kill the queen, Laius's wife.
(b) The murderer may flee quietly and leave the town to suffer the gods' wrath.
(c) The murderer may want to kill the new king, too.
(d) The murderer may seek revenge on Oedipus for trying to find him.

32. Who does Oedipus say he's seeking vengeance for?
(a) the land and the god Apollo
(b) Creon and Jocasta
(c) himself and the people of Thebes
(d) the gods and the prophets

33. At the end of the scene, what does Oedipus ask the people to stand up and take?
(a) their suppliant branches
(b) arms
(c) pity on him in his misery
(d) the news to the outlying farms

34. Before he leaves, what does Oedipus say will happen?
(a) Either the murderer will be caught and punished, or else they will all be ruined.
(b) The gods will decide the outcome, and the murderer's fate is in their hands.
(c) The murderer will definitely be caught and punished.
(d) The whole town, and Oedipus himself, will definitely be ruined.

35. Why does the priest tell the people that they can leave at the end of the scene?
(a) He says Oedipus is not the one to help.
(b) He says the people have what they've come for.
(c) He says the people will never get salvation.
(d) He says the people have been ignored in favor of Creon.

36. Who does the priest ask to come as the people's savior?
(a) Creon
(b) Phoebus
(c) Oedipus
(d) Laius