Oedipus the King
WEBQUEST
Purpose:
­When we return from the weekend, we’ll begin a Greek play called Oedipus the King. It is a great story, but if you don’t know the background basics, it’ll be hard to grasp. This webquest should provide you with the beginner’s information you’ll need to understand the play when we read it next week.
Directions:
­Copy this entire document into a fresh, Untitled Document. ­Name your document Oedipus Webquest ­Type your answers under the questions in that document. BOLD the answers. ­Share with me when you’re done. Correct address is [email protected]. ­Email with any issues or questions. ­Happy hunting! Sophocles
1. Sophocles is the author of Oedipus Rex. When and where was Sophocles born? 2. Name at least two of the other occupations or skills that Sophocles maintained in his life. 3. How did Sophocles fare in his first play writing competition? 4. How many plays did Sophocles write? 5. How many plays have survived in complete form? 6. List three of the plays Sophocles wrote (not including Oedipus Rex). Greek Theater
7. What Greek God is associated with Greek theater? 8. What does chorus mean? 9. What does the chorus do? 10. While costumes and scenery were not important, what items were? Vocabulary
11. Look up the following words using this dictionary link: dramatic irony hamartia hubris oedipus predestination (or determinism) Play Background
12. Identify the information listed below for the play Oedipus Rex: type of work: setting: 13. List the dramatis personae (characters) in the play. 14. What are the two problems of the play? The Sphinx
15. What is the sphinx? 16. What is the connection between Oedipus and the sphinx? 17. A sphinx monument, which was built to represent the folkloric character, exists in Egypt. Sketch this on your paper. The Oedipus Complex
18. What is the Oedipus complex? 19. Who initially introduced this theory? 20. Why do you think this is no longer widely believed today? In your spare time, make sure to play this game. WARNING: spoilers abound!!! Click here to play the Oedipus Game: http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~loxias/oedipus/oedipusindex.htm