Oedipus Part 2 Review

There will be no matching or typical low point questions on this test. It will be a series of short answer, the quotes provided, and a paragraph that you may prepare for.

IMPORTANT EVENTS:

▫ News from Corinthian messenger & how it saves and condemns Oedipus


▫ The shift in the Chorus and their feelings for Oedipus from before to after they learn the truth


▫ The suitability of the ends for both Jocasta and Oedipus.


▫ Oedipus’ motive for blinding himself – punishment or avoidance?


▫ Creon’s choice to show kindness to Oedipus and possible motives for it


▫ People who try to do the right thing and end up contributing to evil – what they hope to do versus how it ends up


IMPORTANT QUOTATIONS:
Know (a) who spoke the line (b) the CIRCUMSTANCES of what is being said and (c) the impact regarding the play AS A WHOLE!!!

Fear? What has a man to do with fear? Chance rules our lives, and the future is all unknown. Best live as best we may from day to day. Nor need this mother-marrying frighten you; many a man has dreamt as much Such things must be forgotten. (page 52)

In God’s name - if you want to live, this must not go on. Have I not suffered enough? (page 55)

It was... a child of Laius’ house... your lady could tell the truth of it. (page 58)

Apollo, friends, Apollo, has laid his agony upon me; not by his hand; I did it. What should I do with eyes where all is ugliness? (page 62-3)

Be sure it would have been done without delay, but that I await instruction from the god. (page 65)

Learn that mortal man must always look to his ending, and none can be called happy until that day when he carries his happiness down to the grave in peace. (page 68)


***PRACTICE Not all the waters of Ister, the waters of Phasis, can wash this dwelling clean of the foulness within, clean of the deliberate acts that soon shall be known, of all horrible acts most horrible, willfully chosen. (59)

PARAGRAPH TOPIC:

Tiresias claims that Oedipus is the city’s enemy, while the people regard him as their hero. By the end of the play, which is Oedipus?

Approaches to test paragraphs/essays:

Make sure that there is a topic sentence that frames your argument.
Make sure if you are asked to choose a side that you stick to ONE option even if two are possible.
Make sure that you use at least three points to support your topic sentence.
Make sure that you use events, etc from the texts that specifically support your answer.
Make sure your answer is 10-12 well organized sentences.
Make sure that you reread paragraph to ensure you make sense and prove your side.

You will lose points for any of the following –
Writing that cannot be read, having less than three areas of support, using irrelevant support, Confusing/Poor organization, having an unclear perspective, having usage/mechanics errors that detract from your meaning.