Questions to Guide Reading

Part 1: Beginning to Tiresias’ Departure & Choral Ode

1. What are the manifestations, or symptoms, of the plague that the priest
reports at the play’s beginning?

2. From what did Oedipus free the Thebans?

3. Had Oedipus known of the plague prior to the priest reporting it?

4. What proactive measure did Oedipus take regarding the plague?

5. Summarize the information that Creon received from the oracle.

6. Whose murder was never investigated or avenged?

7. On what errand was Laius when he was murdered?

8. How many survived the attack?

9. What kind of criminals struck Laius down?

10. Why didn’t the Thebans avenge Laius’ murder?

11. Summarize Oedipus’ words: “...for my own sake I’ll rid us of this
corruption. Whoever killed the king may decide to kill me too, with the
same violent hand--by avenging Laius I defend myself.”

12. Addressing the chorus, Oedipus says, “You pray to the gods? Let me
grant your prayers. Come, listen to me…” Can we consider this an
example of Oedipus’ hubris?
13. Oedipus addresses the Thebans and tries to discover the murderer.
What does he promise in order to persuade the truth to be revealed?

14. What does Oedipus mean when he says, “I will fight for [Laius] as if he
were my father, stop at nothing, search the world to lay my hands on the
man who shed his blood…”?

15. Who is Lord Tiresias and what is his affliction?

16. Oedipus greeted Tiresias by praising his gifts, but Tiresias replied by
saying, “You send me home. You bear your burdens, I’ll bear mine. It’s
better that way, please believe me.” What does he mean?

17. Oedipus grew angry at Tiresias’ refusals. He said, “...now I see it all. You
helped hatch the plot, you did the work, yes, short of killing him with your
own hands--and given eyes I’d say you did the killing single-handed!” Of
what is Oedipus accusing Tiresias and why did Oedipus say that? What
do you think of that accusation?

18. When Oedipus finally pushes Tiresias far enough, Tiresias reveals the
identity of the murderer. Cite this line of text.

19. Oedipus shouts, “Blind, lost in the night, endless night that nursed you!
You can’t hurt me or anyone else who sees the light--you can never touch
me.” What is the double meaning of light? Is his saying “you can never
touch me” another example of hubris?

20. Oedipus asks Tiresias if he is conspiring with whom?

21. Oedipus says, “O power--wealth and empire...what envy lurks inside

you...so hungry to overthrow me…” What does Oedipus think Creon
wants?

22. Oedipus provides an argument that proves Creon is not a prophet and is
a fraud. What is the argument?

23. What does Tiresias mean when he tells Oedipus, “You’re blind to the
corruption of your life, to the house you live in, those you live with…”?
 24. What are the double curses that Tiresias says will lash Oedipus?

25. Tiresias says, “...their footfall treading you down in terror, darkness
shrouding your eyes that now can see the light!” Of what is darkness a
metaphor?

26. Summarize Tiresias’ final words--the prophecy--before the boy leads him
away.

Post-Reading Discussion

Of what is Oedipus most proud?

What do you think of Tiresias’ prophecy?

Was Oedipus wrong in treating Tiresias so badly? Or was he justified?

What should Oedipus do next?