1. What is the significance of the setting of this play?

2. The blind Oedipus is on stage through almost the entire play. What is the effect of his presence?

3. What does the play have to say about the role of the gods in human suffering, and the meaning of human suffering?

4. What is the role of the chorus? How do they respond to Oedipus? to Creon? to Theseus? to Polyneices?

5. What do Antigone and Ismene contribute to the play?

6. Why does Creon want Oedipus to return to Thebes? Why does Oedipus refuse?

7. At several points in the play Oedipus defends his own earlier actions. What defense does he provide?

8. Why does Polyneices want Oedipus' help? Why does Oedipus refuse, and curse his sons?

9. Explain the end of Oedipus as it is presented in this play in connection with what we have learned about what Greeks believed about the power of heroes after death.

10. What does this play suggest about the cities of Athens and Thebes?

Outline of play

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