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Oedipus the King Trivia Quiz

I read this story in my Honors English II class. Very interesting story line.

A multiple-choice quiz by golfchic13. Estimated time: 2 mins.

Author
golfchic13

Time
2 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
259,416

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Easy

Avg Score
9 / 10

Plays
727

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What does the name Oedipus mean? Hint

flies with dragons

Greek boy

runs fast

swollen foot

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Question 2 of 10

2. What did the prophecy say that made Oedipus's parents not want him anymore? Hint

He was going to kill his father

He wouldn't have any children

He would be an outcast

He was going to die soon

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Question 3 of 10

3. Did the prophecy made to Oedipus' parents come true?

Yes

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Question 4 of 10

4. Where did Oedipus kill his father? Hint

At the market

In the woods

In his house

At the place where the three streets meet

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Question 5 of 10

5. What profession was Oedipus' father? Hint

Farmer

Baker

King

Mason

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Question 6 of 10

6. How did Oedipus become King of Thebes? Hint

He destroyed the kingdom

He killed the Sphinx

He won a contest

It was a dare

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Question 7 of 10

7. How many children did Oedipus have with his mother/wife? Hint

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Question 8 of 10

8. How did Jocasta (the Queen) die? Hint

Stabbing

Hanging

Murder

Slit her wrists

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Question 9 of 10

9. What did Oedipus do when he saw that Jocasta killed herself? Hint

Prayed

Stabbed his eyes out

Cried

Killed himself

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Question 10 of 10

10. Oedipus leaves Thebes after Jocasta's death. (We don't necessarily learn this in this play)

True

False

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What does the name Oedipus mean?

Answer: swollen foot

This is his name because his parents didn't want him, so they bound his feet and sent him away, which is why his feet got swollen, hence his name.

2. What did the prophecy say that made Oedipus's parents not want him anymore?

Answer: He was going to kill his father

The oracle told this to his parents, and they wanted the boy killed and sent away so it wouldn't come true.

3. Did the prophecy made to Oedipus' parents come true?

Answer: Yes

The oracle told his parents that he would kill his father, and he did, but he didn't know it was his father.

4. Where did Oedipus kill his father?

Answer: At the place where the three streets meet

We don't actually see this happening, which is normal for dramas. We just hear of it through the man that saw it happen. He was travelling with the king, and was the only survivor.

5. What profession was Oedipus' father?

Answer: King

Oedipus' father was the King of Thebes. That was why he wanted Oedipus to be sent away, because it would endanger his people, and his family's position.

6. How did Oedipus become King of Thebes?

Answer: He killed the Sphinx

He killed the Sphinx, the people wanted him, so he married the widowed queen, and became King of Thebes.

7. How many children did Oedipus have with his mother/wife?

Answer: 4

Their names were Antigone, Ismene, Eteocles, and Polyneices.

8. How did Jocasta (the Queen) die?

Answer: Hanging

She hung herself after she found out that Oedipus was her son and that the prophecy came true, because she couldn't bear to deal with this fact.

9. What did Oedipus do when he saw that Jocasta killed herself?

Answer: Stabbed his eyes out

We don't actually read about this; we hear from a person who saw it, and that person was Jocasta's guard/servant.

10. Oedipus leaves Thebes after Jocasta's death. (We don't necessarily learn this in this play)

Answer: True

Oedipus leaves Thebes because he doesn't want to deal with all that has happened in his town, like marrying his mom, and having children with her. He leaves for Colonus.

Source: Author golfchic13

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor MotherGoose before going online.
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