Oedipus Study Guide

Prologue

• Where was Oedipus born

  Thebes

• Oedipus’s prophecy

  Oedipus would kill his father and marry his mother

• What happened on his way to Thebes and what did he encounter(Lauis, Sphinx)

  Oedipus first fought Laius about who had the right to go first on the road, and ended up killing him. Then he continued and answered the Sphinx’s riddle correctly saving Thebes.

• Real parents

  Father- Laius

  Mother- Jocasta

• Adopted parents

  Mother- Merope

  Father- Polybus

• Uncle- Creon

• What part did the shepherd play?

  instead of leaving Oedipus to die, gave him to another shepherd who gave Oedipus to his master.

Greek Theater

Importance of masks- able to show audience emotions from far away

Chorus’s role- represent public opinion