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The Oedipus Plays
Sophocles
Study Guide
Full Text
Summary
Plot Overview
Summary & Analysis
Antigone, lines 1–416
Antigone, lines 417–700
Antigone, lines 701–1090
Antigone, lines 1091–1470
Oedipus the King, lines 1–337
Oedipus the King, lines 338–706
Oedipus the King, lines 707–1007
Oedipus the King, lines 1008–1310
Oedipus the King, lines 1311–1684
Oedipus at Colonus, lines 1–576
Oedipus at Colonus, lines 577–1192
Oedipus at Colonus, lines 1193–1645
Oedipus at Colonus, lines 1646–2001
Characters
Character List
Oedipus
Antigone
Creon
The Chorus
Main Ideas
Themes
Motifs
Symbols
Key Facts
Quotes
Important Quotations Explained
Quotes By Theme
The Law
Destiny
Blindness
Quotes By Section
Section 1: Antigone, lines 1-416
Section 2: Antigone, lines 417-700
Section 3: Antigone, lines 701-1090
Section 4: Antigone, lines 1091-1470
Section 5: Oedipus the King, lines 1-337
Section 6: Oedipus the King, lines 338-706
Section 7: Oedipus the King, 707-1007
Section 8: Oedipus the King, lines 1008-1310
Section 9: Oedipus the King, lines 1311-1684
Section 10: Oedipus at Colonus, lines 1-576
Section 11: Oedipus at Colonus, lines 577-1192
Section 12: Oedipus at Colonus, lines 1193-1645
Section 13: Oedipus at Colonus, lines 1646-2001
Quotes By Character
Antigone
Oedipus
Creon
Tiresias
Jocasta
Further Study
Context
Full Book Quiz
Section Quizzes
Analysis of Major Characters
Antigone 1091-1470
Antigone 1-416
Antigone 417-700
Antigone 701-1090
Character List
Context
Oedipus at Colonus 1193-1645
Oedipus at Colonus 1-576
Oedipus at Colonus 1646-2001
Oedipus at Colonus 577-1192
Oedipus the King, 1008-1310
Oedipus the King 1311-1684
Oedipus the King 1-337
Oedipus the King 338-706
Oedipus the King 707-1007
Plot Overview
Themes, Motifs, and Symbols
Themes, Motifs & Symbols
Antigone, lines 1–416
Antigone, lines 417–700
Antigone, lines 701–1090
Antigone, lines 1091–1470
Oedipus the King, lines 1–337
Oedipus the King, lines 338–706
Oedipus the King, lines 707–1007
Oedipus the King, lines 1008–1310
Oedipus the King, lines 1311–1684
Oedipus at Colonus, lines 1–576
Oedipus at Colonus, lines 577–1192
Oedipus at Colonus, lines 1193–1645
Oedipus at Colonus, lines 1646–2001
Study Questions
Suggestions for Further Reading
Writing Help
How to Write Literary Analysis
Suggested Essay Topics
Sample A+ Essay
How to Cite This SparkNote
Further study
Themes, Motifs, and Symbols Quiz
Themes, Motifs, and Symbols Quiz
1
of 5
Why does Creon think his treatment of Polynices is acceptable?
Polynices is his nephew and thus his ward.
Polynices broke his duty to the state.
Creon can do what he wants as king.
Creon has the approval of the gods.
2
of 5
Why is the fact that Sophocles' audience already knew the Oedipus story important?
It heightens the sense of inevitability.
It allowed him to leave out some details.
It limited his artistic creativity.
It enabled him to criticize Athens by implication.
3
of 5
How do most characters in the plays die?
They are executed.
They die in combat.
They succumb to disease.
They commit suicide.
4
of 5
What do the plays suggest is a basic duty people owe to the dead?
Burial
Positive remarks
Vengeance
Remembrance
5
of 5
What is the significance of the three-way crossroad?
It represents the fundamental ignorance of humanity.
It symbolizes choice and consequences.
It embodies the conflict between public duty and private feeling.
It stands for the relationship between the individual, the state, and the gods.
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Plot Overview Quick Quiz
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The Oedipus Plays: Popular pages
CHARACTERS
Character List
CHARACTERS
Oedipus: Character Analysis
QUOTES
Quotes by Theme
FURTHER STUDY
Review Quiz
