Oedipus Rex Socratic Seminar Questions

1. Taking the ENTIRE play into consideration, do you think that

Oedipus is a good leader or a bad leader? Find text evidence to
support your position. Think about his character traits, his actions,
and whether or not he succeeds in curing the plague on Thebes.
Gigi
Assertion

Evidence

Talking Points/Matters

Oedipus is strong and witty, but he

lacks critical traits that would
otherwise make him a good leader.

But I came, Oedipus, whom

knew nothing, and I stopped
her. I solved the riddle by my
own wit alone. (lns. 461462)

As their King, Oedipus is extremely arrogant, and often

times overestimates his own skills. Because he wasnt
born with any special powers, Oedipus thinks that his
achievements are more valid. His actions were done by
him and him alone. Oedipus thinks that his power as a
human is so great that he will be the one whom can save
the city of Thebes.

2. Do you believe that Creon will be a better leader than Oedipus?

Why or why not? Find text evidence to support your claim.
Dean
Assertion

Evidence

Talking Points/Matters

I believe that Creon will be a

better leader than Oedipus.

I havent come to mock

you, Oedipus, or to criticize
your former failings
(1428).

In the last scene of Oedipus the King, Creon also shows

himself to be forgiving. Rather than mocking Oedipus,
who has just accused him of some pretty terrible things,
Creon is gentle. He brings the mutilated and grieving
Oedipus inside, away from the public eye and also
promises to care for the fallen king's children. In the
end, it is only at Oedipus's request that Creon banishes
him from Thebes.

3. Who is truly responsible for the plays tragic conclusion? Why?

Find text evidence to support your position.
Gigi
Assertion

Evidence

Talking Points/Matters

Oedipus is the one responsible for

the tragic conclusion.

But the hand that struck me

was none but my own. (lns.
1519-1520)

Oedipus, in the end, is responsible for how the tragedy

concluded. It was inevitable that the prophecy would
happen, but the way Oedipus reacted to it was entirely
up to him. He will be held responsible for his actions
because he is the one whom chose to seek out the truth,
and to blind himself once he found it. Oedipus even said
so himself, the prophecy was from Apollo but the hand
that inflicted pain upon himself was his own.

4. Was the fall of Oedipus a result of FATE or a result of Oedipus

own FREE WILL?
Dean
Assertion

Evidence

Talking Points/Matters

His fall was a result of fate.

Go in and ponder this, and

if thou find That I have
missed the mark, henceforth
declare I have no wit nor
skill in prophecy.

Oedipus does not seem to have been capable of

changing his fate. Though we may be able to argue that
he is complicit in the fulfillment of the prophecy
outlining his fate, it seems that we cannot make him
completely responsible for that fate. After all, his
decisions are largely shaped by his unwillingness to
accept his fate - and we can't blame him for that when
his foreseen fate was no horrendous.

5. Discuss Oedipuss understanding of his own destiny. How does

this change throughout the course of this play? Does this affect his
fate or free will?
Gigi
Assertion

Evidence

Talking Points/Matters

At the beginning of the play,

Oedipus probably believed that he
could control his fate, running
away from home to try to prove
the prophecy wrong. However, as
the play progresses, his
understanding seems to switch
over because his fate was proven
to be true. This affects his free.

They prophesied that I

should kill my father! But
hes dead, and hidden deep in
earth, and I stand here whom
never laid a hand on a spear
against him,-unless perhaps
he died of longing for me,
and thus I am his murderer.
(lns. 1088-1093)
It was Apollo, friends,
Apollo, that brought this
bitter bitterness, my sorrows
to completion.
(lns. 1517-1519)

Its obvious that by running away from his family,

Oedipus had hope that there was still a possibility of
avoiding his fate. However, I believe that after learning
that the deceased Polybus is not his kin, Oedipuss
confidence in mans free will has weakened. His
understanding of his own destiny most strongly affects
his free will. His decision to run away from King
Polybus was affected by his beliefs that fate is
changeable. But when he became doubtful of his
previous beliefs, he sought to look for the truth because
he wants to be more sure that the prophecy he feared
didnt already happen.

6. Do some characters other than Oedipus seem to control their fate

more than others? If so, how do they do it? What do they
understand that Oedipus may or may not?
Dean
Assertion

Evidence

Talking Points/Matters

One character that seems to or at

least is thought of as better than
fate is oedipus.

O the terror-the suffering,

for all the world to see, the
worst terror that ever met my
eyes. What madness swept
over you? What god, what
dark power leapt beyond all
bounds, beyond belief, to
crush your wretched life?godforsaken, cursed by the
gods! I pity you but I can't
bear to look. I've much to
ask, so much to learn, so
much fascinates my eyes, but
you... I shudder at the sight."
1432-1442 "

The Chorus believes that the Gods control all The

Chorus believes that the Gods have cursed Thebes with
a plague and only Oedipus can destroy it just like he did
with the Sphinx. Parts of the play, the Chorus believes
Oedipus is higher than the gods. The Chorus has such
respect for Oedipus, that when his identity starts to
unfold they plead with the gods for mercy on Oedipus.

7. Sophocles attempts to convey a deeper message about ones

responsibility towards justice. Evaluate Oedipus as a character: do
you think he acts responsibly throughout the play? In your
response, remember to reflect on hubris, ambition, and his ability to
admit fault. Gigi
Assertion

Evidence

Talking Points/Matters

Despite Oedipuss poor leadership

qualities, I cant deny that
throughout the story, Oedipus has
acted responsibly for the most
part.

What do you mean? You

know of something but refuse
to speak. Would you betray
us and destroy the city?

It is undeniable that Oedipuss hubris does get the best

of him at times. It clouds his judgement and causes him
to act out on impulse, which may not always be the best
idea. However, I believe that his ambition is what drives
him to find out the truth. Even though the truth was
better left unknown, by seeking it Oedipus shows that he
truly cares for his city, in turn taking responsibility for
his people and the problems they are facing. At the
storys conclusion, Oedipus, despite his arrogance from
previous parts of the story, admits that he is the one that
chose to inflict pain upon himself, taking responsibility
for his actions and the consequences that come with
them.

For Gods sake if you know

of anything, do not turn from
us; all of us kneel to you, all
of us here, your suppliants.
But the hand that struck me
was none but my own.

8. As a result of Oedipuss inability to see, he gouges out his eyes.

Why does he do this? Use your knowledge about Greek culture and
Greek tragedy, as well as textual evidence, to compose your answer
Dean
Assertion

Evidence

Talking Points/Matters

At the end of the play Oedipus

learnt that the information
Tiresius spoke of was true. He
then clawed his own eyes out with
shame claiming that he cannot
bare to look his people in the eyes.

You, youll see no more

pain I suffered, all the pain I
caused! Too long you looked
on the ones you never should
have seen, blind to the ones
you longed to see, to know!
Blind from this hour on!
Blind in the darkness,
blind!

He does this because everything is now put together and

he realizes the consequences of the whole situation. At
the end of the play Oedipus learnt that the information
Tiresius spoke of was true. He then clawed his own eyes
out with shame claiming that he cannot bare to look his
people in the eyes.

9. Reread the conversation Oedipus has with Teiresias, the blind seer. Evaluate the

importance of this conversation. What can you determine about Oedipuss character based
on the interaction he has with Teiresias? Gigi
Assertion

Evidence

Talking Points/Matters

He is ill tempered, and very

stubborn to seek out the truth.
This is important for later on in
the story when the plot thickens
and Oedipus grows closer to
finding out what has been hidden
from him.

You would provoke a stone!

Tell us, you villain, tell us,
and do not stand there quietly
unmoved and balking at the
issue.

Oedipus is very pushy, and his stubbornness can be

misleading at times. In this scene, Oedipus is desperate
for answers; a clue as to how to solve this problem. The
interaction with Teiresias showed how impolite he can
get when things dont go his way, but also proves that
he does genuinely care for the well being of his
kingdom and will do whats in his power to set things
straight.

Whom would not feel this

temper rise at words like
these with which you shame
our city? (lns. 380-381)

10. Write your own open ended question for Socratic Seminar. This should not be
something everyone will agree on and should be connected to the play or the
themes/ideas the play brings up. It should not be the same as your peers, so think
of this on your OWN.

Dean
Knowledge is a burden, and ultimately leads to suffering. Do you agree or disagree? Use your knowledge about
Greek culture and Greek tragedy, as well as textual evidence, to compose your answer.