Search all of SparkNotes

Suggestions

Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select.

No Fear Shakespeare
Literature
Other Subjects
Teacher
Blog

Help

Search all of SparkNotes

Suggestions

Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select.

No Fear Shakespeare
Literature
Other Subjects
Teacher
Blog
Help

The Oedipus Plays

Sophocles

Study Guide Full Text

Study Guide
Full Text

Summary
- Plot Overview
Characters
- Character List
- Oedipus
- Antigone
- Creon
- The Chorus
Main Ideas
- Themes
- Motifs
- Symbols
- Key Facts
Quotes
- Important Quotes Explained
- Quotes By Character
- Antigone
- Oedipus
- Creon
- Tiresias
- Jocasta
Further Study
- Context
- Full Book Quiz
- Study Questions
- Suggestions for Further Reading
Writing Help
Teacher's Handbook

Further Study

Themes, Motifs, and Symbols Quiz

Further Study 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.

Previous section Plot Overview Quick Quiz Next section Themes, Motifs & Symbols Quick Quiz

Popular pages: The Oedipus Plays

Character List CHARACTERS
Oedipus: Character Analysis CHARACTERS
Quotes by Theme QUOTES
Review Quiz FURTHER STUDY

Take a Study Break

Answer These 7 Questions and We'll Tell You How You'll Do on Your AP Exams
Every Marvel Movie Summed Up in a Single Sentence
QUIZ: Are You a Hero, a Villain, or an Anti-Hero?
QUIZ: Is This a Mark Twain Quote or a Line from The Office?
QUIZ: Which Greek God Are You?
60 YA Movie Adaptations, Ranked
Pick 10 Books and We'll Guess Whether You're an Introvert or an Extrovert

Sign up for our latest news and updates!

By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. You can view our Privacy Policy here. Unsubscribe from our emails at any time.

First Name

Last Name

Email

The #1 FREE study site for students

Most Popular
No Fear Shakespeare
Literature Guides
Other Subjects
SparkNotes Blog

More Help
About
Contact Us
How to Cite SparkNotes
Advertise

Find Us On

Copyright © SparkNotes LLC

Terms of Use
|
Privacy
|
Cookie Policy
|
Do Not Sell My Personal Information