Part One: Context

1. Who wrote this play?


2. Where does it take place?


3. How is religion important to this play?


4. Do you think God or the gods need to be defended?

Part Two: Plot

5. What are the eight plot revelations that drive the story?

Part Three: Characters

6. Name four main characters in the play and write down at least 2 facts about each one:

Part Four: Theme

7. What is one of the main themes of Oedipus Rex?

8. How does this theme relate to the controversy of Fate vs. Freewill?

Part Five: Motifs

A motif is a reoccuring object or idea in a work of literature.  It's usually a smaller idea than a theme, and there can be several different ones throughout the same piece.  Check out the following video:

9. What do you think a main motif in Oedipus Rex is going to be?

10. Give at least one example of this motif:

Part Six: Symbols

Sometimes in literature, an author uses physical or literal things to also represent something bigger, something that goes beyond the literal -- usually an idea or theme that turns out to be very important for the story or narrative.  When that happens, the thing in question becomes a symbol.

Please watch the following video:

11. Name at least three physical things that function as symbols in this play:

     a.

     b.

     c.

12. What do these things symbolize?

Part Seven: Concluding Question

13. What do you think you can learn as we study Oedipus' story together?

Please give an answer of at least 3-5 sentences:


Once you have finished this last question, try your hand at predicting the plot by playing the:

Oedipus Game