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HUMN 142 Studies in Literature
Modules 5-9 Study Questions with Suggested Answers
Module 5 Study Questions
1. Describe the exposition, complication, climax, and denouement in Oedipus the King.
Oedipus the King opens with an explanation of what has happened; Thebes is being ravaged by the plague, crops have failed, the women are barren (ll. 22-30). This is the exposition, the explanation of the problem. In addition, later in the play, Sophocles has
Oedipus and Jocasta recall events that are relevant to the present situation.
The status quo is complicated by the announcement from Apollo's oracle that King Laius' murderer must be discovered and punished to restore prosperity to the city (complication,
Aristotle's term, is also called the dramatic question [p. 1203].) Oedipus relentlessly pursues the truth, and the climax is reached the moment he realizes he is the one he has has been searching for. In tragedy, the climax is followed by the catastrophe. In Oedipus the King,
Jocasta commits suicide and Oedipus mutilates himself. Finally, Thebes is purified and
Creon takes the throne; the denouement, the "unknotting," is achieved.
2. There are really two questions that motivate the dramatic sequence. The first is Who murdered King Laius? What is the second question?
At the beginning of the play, Oedipus is searching to answer the question: "Who killed King
Laius?" The play seems to be a murder mystery. Later in the play, however, Oedipus reverts to the question that haunted his youth: "Who am I?" The question of identity had sent Oedipus away from Corinth, to Delphi and eventually to Thebes. At the climax,
Oedipus receives one answer to both of his questions: "Who am I": Oedipus, son of Laius and Jocasta. "Who killed King Laius?" Oedipus, son of Laius and Jocasta.
3. Aristotle noted that a tragic hero had a weakness of character, a hamartia or tragic flaw (p.
1203). Consider Kennedy's question #2 (p. 1244), "How does Oedipus exhibit weakness of character? Point to lines
Modules 5-9 Study Questions with Suggested Answers
Module 5 Study Questions
1. Describe the exposition, complication, climax, and denouement in Oedipus the King.
Oedipus the King opens with an explanation of what has happened; Thebes is being ravaged by the plague, crops have failed, the women are barren (ll. 22-30). This is the exposition, the explanation of the problem. In addition, later in the play, Sophocles has
Oedipus and Jocasta recall events that are relevant to the present situation.
The status quo is complicated by the announcement from Apollo's oracle that King Laius' murderer must be discovered and punished to restore prosperity to the city (complication,
Aristotle's term, is also called the dramatic question [p. 1203].) Oedipus relentlessly pursues the truth, and the climax is reached the moment he realizes he is the one he has has been searching for. In tragedy, the climax is followed by the catastrophe. In Oedipus the King,
Jocasta commits suicide and Oedipus mutilates himself. Finally, Thebes is purified and
Creon takes the throne; the denouement, the "unknotting," is achieved.
2. There are really two questions that motivate the dramatic sequence. The first is Who murdered King Laius? What is the second question?
At the beginning of the play, Oedipus is searching to answer the question: "Who killed King
Laius?" The play seems to be a murder mystery. Later in the play, however, Oedipus reverts to the question that haunted his youth: "Who am I?" The question of identity had sent Oedipus away from Corinth, to Delphi and eventually to Thebes. At the climax,
Oedipus receives one answer to both of his questions: "Who am I": Oedipus, son of Laius and Jocasta. "Who killed King Laius?" Oedipus, son of Laius and Jocasta.
3. Aristotle noted that a tragic hero had a weakness of character, a hamartia or tragic flaw (p.
1203). Consider Kennedy's question #2 (p. 1244), "How does Oedipus exhibit weakness of character? Point to lines