Oedipus Rex Quiz Test Questions And Answers

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  • 1/21 Questions

    How did Jocosta die?

    • Creon poisons her
    • She kills herself
    • She gets eaten by the Sphinx
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About This Quiz

You need to take this ultimate Oedipus Rex quiz test with questions and answers if you consider yourself to be a history buff. In this quiz, we will delve into the specific questions surrounding the legend and myth of Oedipus who suffered a great tragedy, to say any more would be comparable to giving spoilers so let's jump right in! Have fun while taking this quiz and don't forget to let all the other Oedipus Rex fans know about it!

Oedipus Rex Quiz Test Questions And Answers - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    How would you describe Oedipus attitude at the beginning of the play?

    • Arrogant and sure of himself

    • A bad king who is very lazy

    • Stupid and easily tricked

    Correct Answer
    A. Arrogant and sure of himself
    Explanation
    At the beginning of the play, Oedipus is portrayed as arrogant and sure of himself. This is evident in his interactions with others, as he displays a sense of superiority and confidence in his abilities. He believes he has the power to solve the riddle of the Sphinx and save the city of Thebes. Oedipus' arrogance is also seen in his refusal to listen to the advice or warnings of others, as he believes he knows best. This attitude ultimately leads to his downfall as the truth about his past is revealed.

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  • 3. 

    What does Teiresias tell Oedipus when he arrives?

    • That he knows who killed Laius, but he won't tell Oedipus

    • That Jocasta killed Laius, so she could sleep with Creon

    • That Creon killed Laius

    Correct Answer
    A. That he knows who killed Laius, but he won't tell Oedipus
    Explanation
    Teiresias tells Oedipus that he knows who killed Laius, but he refuses to reveal the identity to Oedipus.

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  • 4. 

    What information did Creon get from the Oracle at Delphi?

    • That Jocasta is going to leave Oedipus for Creon

    • That Teiresias killed Laius over money

    • That the killer of Laius must be found to save the city

    Correct Answer
    A. That the killer of Laius must be found to save the city
    Explanation
    The correct answer is that the killer of Laius must be found to save the city. This information from the Oracle at Delphi suggests that there is a threat to the city and finding the killer of Laius is necessary to protect it. The Oracle's message implies that the city's well-being is at stake and taking action to identify and punish the killer is crucial for its survival.

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  • 5. 

    What did the Oracle tell Oedipus when he was a young boy?

    • That his mother was Jocasta

    • That he should never go to Thebes

    • That he would marry his mother and kill his father

    Correct Answer
    A. That he would marry his mother and kill his father
    Explanation
    The Oracle told Oedipus when he was a young boy that he would marry his mother and kill his father. This prophecy ultimately came true, as Oedipus unknowingly married his mother Jocasta and killed his father King Laius. This prophecy was a crucial element in the tragic fate of Oedipus, leading to his downfall and the revelation of his true identity.

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  • 6. 

    What should happen to the killer of Laius when he is found?

    • He must be put in jail for life

    • He must be sacrificed for the Sphinx

    • He must be banished from Thebes or put to death

    Correct Answer
    A. He must be banished from Thebes or put to death
    Explanation
    In the story of Oedipus, Laius was the former king of Thebes who was murdered. According to the prophecy, the killer must be banished from Thebes or put to death as a form of punishment. This is because the crime committed is considered grave and goes against the laws and norms of the society. The punishment serves as a way to maintain justice and ensure the safety and well-being of the community.

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  • 7. 

    How does Oedipus respond when Teiresias accuses him of killing Lauis?

    • He turns himself in to jail

    • He is happy to know the truth

    • He accuses Teiresias of murdering Laius with Creon

    Correct Answer
    A. He accuses Teiresias of murdering Laius with Creon
    Explanation
    Oedipus responds to Teiresias' accusation by accusing Teiresias himself of murdering Laius with Creon. This shows that Oedipus is defensive and unwilling to accept responsibility for the crime. He tries to shift the blame onto Teiresias and Creon, indicating his refusal to believe the truth and his desperate attempt to protect his own reputation.

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  • 8. 

    What does Jocasta attempt to prove to Oedipus about Teiresias' prophecy?

    • That it's not true

    • That Teiresias is really his father

    • That Creon murdered Laius

    Correct Answer
    A. That it's not true
    Explanation
    Jocasta attempts to prove to Oedipus that Teiresias' prophecy is not true.

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  • 9. 

    Who gave Oedipus to Polybus and Merope when he was a baby?

    • The Sphinx

    • Teiresias

    • The messenger

    Correct Answer
    A. The messenger
    Explanation
    When Oedipus was a baby, he was given to Polybus and Merope by a messenger. This messenger was responsible for delivering Oedipus to the couple, who then raised him as their own son. The messenger's role in this act is significant as it sets the stage for the tragic events that unfold in Oedipus' life.

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  • 10. 

    How does Jocasta respond to the messenger's story?

    • She stabs the messenger

    • She is horribly upset and begs Oedipus to stop asking questions

    • She is happy that the truth has come out

    Correct Answer
    A. She is horribly upset and begs Oedipus to stop asking questions
    Explanation
    Jocasta responds to the messenger's story by being horribly upset and begging Oedipus to stop asking questions. This suggests that the messenger's story has revealed something disturbing or troubling to Jocasta, causing her distress.

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  • 11. 

    What is the priest doing at the beginning of play?

    • Asking the gods for help to stop the plague

    • Accusing Oedipus of killing Laius

    • Asking Teiresias to predict the future

    Correct Answer
    A. Asking the gods for help to stop the plague
    Explanation
    At the beginning of the play, the priest is seen asking the gods for help to stop the plague. This suggests that the city is facing a crisis, and the priest believes that divine intervention is necessary to overcome it. The act of seeking assistance from the gods indicates the priest's faith and belief in their power to bring about a resolution to the plague.

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  • 12. 

    Where did Oedipus send Creon to at the beginning of the play?

    • To the Oracle of Delphi

    • To be banished from Thebes

    • To the crossroads to find Laius

    Correct Answer
    A. To the Oracle of Delphi
    Explanation
    At the beginning of the play, Oedipus sends Creon to the Oracle of Delphi. Oedipus is seeking guidance and answers regarding the plague that has struck Thebes, and he believes that the Oracle will be able to provide him with the necessary information. By sending Creon to the Oracle, Oedipus hopes to find a solution to the plague and restore peace and prosperity to the city.

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  • 13. 

    Who does Creon tell Oedipus to send for?

    • Teiresias

    • The Sphinx

    • Jocasta

    Correct Answer
    A. Teiresias
    Explanation
    Creon tells Oedipus to send for Teiresias. Teiresias is a blind prophet who has the ability to see the truth and reveal it to others. In the play "Oedipus Rex," Oedipus seeks Teiresias' help in solving the mystery of who murdered King Laius. Teiresias reluctantly agrees to share his knowledge, leading to a series of revelations that ultimately expose Oedipus' own guilt in the murder. Thus, sending for Teiresias is crucial in unraveling the truth and advancing the plot of the play.

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  • 14. 

    What is Jocasta doing the next time she leaves the palace?

    • Killing her children

    • Running away from Thebes

    • Locking herself in her room to kill herself

    Correct Answer
    A. Locking herself in her room to kill herself
    Explanation
    The given answer states that Jocasta is locking herself in her room to kill herself. This suggests that Jocasta is feeling extreme despair and has decided to take her own life. This action implies that she is overwhelmed by the tragic events that have unfolded and sees no other way to escape her pain.

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  • 15. 

    Why didn't anyone go investigate the murder of Lauis when it happened? (Why did they wait so many years after his death?)

    • Jocasta went into labor with Oedipus

    • The people wanted to cover up Oedipus's murder of Laius

    • The Sphinx was attacking the city

    Correct Answer
    A. The Sphinx was attacking the city
    Explanation
    During the time when Lauis was murdered, the city was under attack by the Sphinx. This would have created a chaotic and dangerous environment, diverting the attention and resources of the people away from investigating the murder. The priority would have been to protect the city and its inhabitants from the threat of the Sphinx, leaving little time or manpower to devote to solving a murder case. Therefore, the investigation was likely postponed until the Sphinx was defeated and the city's safety was ensured.

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  • 16. 

    Where was Lauis killed?

    • While fighting in a battle

    • Traveling to Delphi

    • In jail for killing his son

    Correct Answer
    A. Traveling to Delphi
    Explanation
    Lauis was killed while traveling to Delphi. This suggests that he was on a journey to visit the Oracle at Delphi when he met his demise. The question implies that his death occurred during this specific trip, ruling out the other options of dying in battle or being in jail for killing his son.

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  • 17. 

    What does Oedipus announce to the people of Thebes after he hears the news from the Oracle?

    • That if the killer of Laius confesses now, he will only be banished

    • That if anyone know who killed Laius, they should come and tell Oedipus

    • Both A and B

    Correct Answer
    A. Both A and B
    Explanation
    After hearing the news from the Oracle, Oedipus announces to the people of Thebes that if the killer of Laius confesses now, he will only be banished. Additionally, he also declares that if anyone knows who killed Laius, they should come and tell him. Therefore, the correct answer is "Both A and B" as Oedipus makes both of these announcements to the people of Thebes.

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  • 18. 

    Who did the people of Thebes think had killed Laius?

    • Teiresias

    • Jocasta

    • Robbers

    Correct Answer
    A. Robbers
    Explanation
    The people of Thebes believed that robbers were responsible for the death of Laius. This could be because there were no witnesses to the crime, and it was assumed that a group of robbers attacked and killed him. Additionally, the idea of robbers committing such a crime would have been more plausible and acceptable to the people, rather than suspecting someone from within their own community.

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  • 19. 

    What happens to Oedipus at the end of the play?

    • He stabs himself in the eyes

    • He is banished from Thebes

    • Both A and B

    Correct Answer
    A. Both A and B
    Explanation
    At the end of the play, Oedipus stabs himself in the eyes as an act of self-punishment and to blind himself from the truth. Additionally, he is banished from Thebes as a result of his actions and the revelation of his true identity. Both actions, stabbing himself in the eyes and being banished, occur simultaneously, leading to the answer "Both A and B."

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  • 20. 

    Why does Jocasta's story about the prophecy that Lauis received upset Oedipus?

    • His father, Polybus, was killed in the same way

    • He killed at man on the road

    • He fought in the battle that Laius was killed in

    Correct Answer
    A. He killed at man on the road
    Explanation
    Jocasta's story about the prophecy that Lauis received upsets Oedipus because it reveals that he unknowingly fulfilled the prophecy by killing a man on the road. This realization disturbs Oedipus as it connects him to the murder of his father, Polybus, who was killed in the same manner. It shatters his belief that he is innocent and brings to light the horrifying truth that he is the one responsible for his father's death. This revelation deeply troubles Oedipus and causes him great distress.

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  • 21. 

    What news does the messenger bring from Cornith?

    • That Polybus was not Oedipus's real father

    • That Polybus is dead

    • Both A and B

    Correct Answer
    A. Both A and B
    Explanation
    The messenger brings the news that Polybus was not Oedipus's real father and that Polybus is dead. This implies that Oedipus's true parentage has been revealed and that his adoptive father has passed away.

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Quiz Review Timeline (Updated): Mar 22, 2023 +

Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.

  • Current Version
  • Mar 22, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Jun 05, 2011
    Quiz Created by
    Jwernick
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