1. What is the relationship in
this play between fate and free
will?
2. The people of Thebes turns
to Oedipus to save them again
by ridding them of a terrible
plague. Sophocles may have
written this play shortly after
a great plague which struck
Athens; Thucydides. History
presents a powerful depiction
of this plague. Compare the
two and how they function in
each text.
3. The people of Thebes call
upon the Healer Apollo. What
does Apollo have to do with
healing? Why should Oedipus
consult this god's oracle?
4. Consider: does Oedipus
strike you as arrogant?
5. After Creon enters and
tells the words of Apollo,
note the discrepancy between
the number of outlaws in the
account of each character.
Why do you think Oedipus
says "thief" while Creon says
"thieves"? This will happen
again later.
6. The Chorus calls on a series
of gods for help. Why invoke
these gods in particular?
7. Find at least three instances
of dramatic irony. Why
does Tiresias refuse to help
Oedipus?
8. Why can't Oedipus
understand the information
Tiresias gives him?
9. Read carefully Jocasta's
account of her loss and then
Oedipus' reaction to it. Does
anything in his reaction strike
you as strange? Consider this
especially in light of the almost
identical story he tells later in
the same scene. Why doesn't
Oedipus make a connection?
10. Why is the connection
between Oedipus' name and
his ankles so important?
11. At what point do you
think that Jocasta begins to
suspect the truth?
12. When the Shepherd
arrives, why won't he talk
willingly?
13. When Jocasta runs off
stage, Oedipus thinks she is
afraid he will be proven a
peasant. Why does this idea
make him so happy? And
how does Jocasta seem to you
now?
14. Aristotle believed this
was the finest tragedy because
the protagonist's recognition
of the truth coincides with the
reversal of his fortunes. Where,
exactly, does this occur in the
play?
15. What was Oedipus trying
to do when he finds his wifemother
dead?
16. Is blinding an appropriate
punishment? Why doesn't he
commit suicide?
17. How would you describe
Oedipus' state of mind and
attitude? Does anything
surprise you about the way he
views his disaster?
18. Think about the Chorus'
near panic about him, its
complete inability to respond
coherently to his presence.
19. Is Creon fair to Oedipus?
Consider especially his
admonition.
20. Why are Oedipus'
daughters in particular so
special to him?
21. What effect has blindness
had on his knowledge?
Special lecture
"Open house" lecture about Sophocles, Oedipus, Greek mythology and more.
Featuring the Stage Director of Oedipus Rex Anatoly Anohin, Set Designer Timaree McCormick, Lillian Corti "Blindness, Sight, and Psycoanalysis in Oedipus" of the UAF English Department and Dr.
Joseph Thompson "Oedipus Rex and the Oracle at Delphi" of the UAF Philosophy & Humanities
Department. Monday, March 28, 5:30pm in the Lee H. Salisbury Theatre Free Admission & will be available on-line via streaming audio and video! Check back here for details.OEDIPUS REX in the Lee H. Salsibury Theatre
Friday, April 1 @ 8:15pm
Saturday, April 2 @ 8:15pm
Sunday, April 3 @ 2:00pm followed by a Q&A with the director and cast!
OEDIPUS REX by Sophocles