SOPHOCLES, OEDIPUS AT COLONUS
STUDY QUESTIONS
1. Write a one page summary of the plot of this play.
2. In lines 6-9 Oedipus says that he has learned acceptance. Why would
suffering teach acceptance?
3. Where does Oedipus come to for safety?
4. What does the chorus of citizens from Colonus agree to do in return for Oedipus leaving
the holy ground?
5. What is the chorus’ response when Oedipus tells them his name?
6. What arguments does Oedipus give for why the citizens of Colonus should pity him? (pg.
299)
7. What news does Ismene bring when she arrives?
8. Why does Oedipus say his sons are like Egyptians?
9. Why is Oedipus’ burial place of such importance?
10. Why is Oedipus so reluctant to help Thebes?
11. What is the irony in line 498?
12. In line 589, Oedipus says that nothing he did was "self-willed" and in line
616 he says that he was "blind" in his deeds. Are these claims true and if so,
do they relieve him of guilt?
13. Would it be unreasonable for the chorus to expel Oedipus from the land?
14. How does Theseus receive Oedipus?
15. What "gift" does Oedipus offer him?
16. Lines 685- 688 are the most famous lines from this play. The effects of time on all
things is a theme that will be developed much further by the philosophers that we will
read later. Why does Oedipus speak these lines to Theseus?
17. The chorus in lines 760-817 gives us a great example of "Athenian pride".
The song sung by the chorus is the Athenian equivalent of "America the
beautiful". What are some of the virtues of Athens that it extols?
18. What is it that Creon desires Oedipus to do?
19. After Creon fails at persuading Oedipus to return to Thebes, what does he do?
20. Who comes in to save the day?
21. In lines 1040-1043, what Athenian virtue is extolled?
22. In lines 1070-1094, what argument does Creon us to claim that his taking Oedipus is
just?
23. What does Oedipus say to refute that claim (see lines 1106-1117)?
24. Oedipus makes the same argument, but with a bit of sarcasm in lines 1132-1136.
Summarize it.