Special Sub-Topic: The Oedipus Plays Click Here To Play: The Oedipus Plays

What does the name Oedipus mean in Greek?

Swollen foot. In Greek, Oidipous means "swollen foot." Oedipus is named this because of the scars on his ankles, which were caused by his real father, Laius, who put nails through each of his ankles because of the prophecy that Oedipus would kill Laius.

Which of these is not one of Oedipus' children?

Creon. Oedipus had four children: Antigone, Ismene, Eteocles, and Polynices. Creon was his uncle and brother-in-law.

In "Antigone", whose body has Creon decreed that no one shall bury?

Polynices. Creon says that no one shall bury Polynices' body because he attempted to overtake Thebes, and his body will serve as a reminder to the people of what happens to traitors.

In "Oedipus at Colonus", who is the only person to see where Oedipus is buried?

Theseus. Theseus, the king of Athens, vows to help Oedipus because Creon needs his body to help lift a curse that has been placed on Creon and Thebes.

The chronological order of the Oedipus Trilogy is "Oedipus the King", "Oedipus at Colonus", "Antigone", but what is the order that it was written in?

"Antigone", "Oedipus the King", "Oedipus at Colonus". "Antigone" is accepted to have been written in 442 B.C., "Oedipus the King" is accepted to have been written in 430 B.C., and "Oedipus at Colonus" is accepted to have been written in 407 B.C. "Oedipus at Colonus" was the last play written by Sophocles.

Who tells Oedipus that it was Oedipus himself who killed Laius?

Tieresias. Though Tieresias, the blind "seer" is hesitant to come out with the truth that Oedipus killed Laius while they are in front of the people of Thebes, Oedipus continually insists that he wants the people of Thebes to know the killer's identity, and even insults Tieresias.

Which two characters have killed each other in battle before the opening scene of "Antigone"?

Polynices and Eteocles. The two brothers, Polynices and Eteocles, kill each other in a battle over Thebes. Creon supports Eteocles, but labels Polynices as a traitor.

Which of these is not dead at the end of the trilogy?

Creon. Though he greatly laments his actions throughout the trilogy, Creon is still living at the end. Oedipus dies in Athens in "Oedipus at Colonus", Jocasta hangs herself in "Oedipus the King" when she finds out that Oedipus is her son, and Antigone hangs herself (just like her mother) in "Antigone" in order to avoid being tortured by Creon.

Haemon, Antigone's betrothed, is what relation to Creon?

his son. Haemon pleads with Creon to spare Antigone for burying Polynices' body, and even attempts to attack Creon out of anger. Ultimately, Haemon kills himself, and later, his mother, Creon's wife Eurydice, kills herself also.

Who said this quote, "I owe a longer allegiance to the dead than to the living: in that world I shall abide for ever."?

Antigone. Antigone offers this as the reason for burying her brother Polynices.