Oedipus Rex Study Guide

Oedipus the King

Characters

(You will be asked to identify each of the following characters by matching them to actions or relationships. )

Oedipus

Creon

Tiresias

Jocasta

Messenger from Corinth

Shepherd

Messenger

Antigone and Ismene

Chorus

Polybus

Merope

Apollo

Setting

(Be able to describe each of the following elements of setting and their connection to the three classical unities.)

Geographical location:  in front of the palace, Thebes, Greece (unity of place)

Historical period:  ancient mythical times (already consider ancient by 500 BCE)

Time of day: the play takes place in one revolution of the sun/a 24 hr period (unity of time)

The prophecy that causes Laius and Jocasta to give up their son, the discovery of the baby Oedipus, and the murder of Laius all happen prior to the dramatic questioning of the causes of suffering of Thebes that is the central dramatic question of the play (unity of action).

Weather:  fires, plagues, and famines

Cultural Milieu:  ancient Greek

Oedipus as Tragic Hero

( You will be asked to explain how Oedipus fulfills each of the following characteristics of a classic hero.)

high rank

violates human, natural, & divine law

poses threat to society

causes suffering and death to family

tragic flaw

Conflict

(Be able to describe the conflict between each of the following characters/forces.)

Oedipus v. Fate

Oedipus v. Self

Oedipus v. Creon

Jocasta v. Fate

Jocasta v. Oedipus

Laius v. Fate

Oedipus v. Society

Oedipus v. Tiresias

Other literary terms

(Be able to define the following terms.)

ode

strophe

antistrophe