Assignment for Friday, Sept. 29 (Day 20 of 84)

Prior to class:

Read to page 279 (using downloaded copy of the Fagles translation we have been reading in class).  Those who were for the whole class have already done this.

Respond to the following prompts by using Kami to enter notes in the appropriate places on your copy of the text:
1. p. 267, lines 120-122: Explain the dramatic irony present in Creon's comment.
2. pp. 270 - 272: Choose and comment on an image that helps convince the reader that conditions in Thebes are very serious.
3. Page 273, lines 269 - 279: What tone does Oedipus take toward the murderer?  Identify a brief quote that provides evidence of his tone.
4. Page 274. lines 300-306, Explain the dramatic irony present in these lines.
5. Page 275:  What physical handicap does Tiresias have?  Why is this ironic?  Why might a person with this handicap have this role in Thebes?
6. Page 276:  Why does Oedipus become angry with Tiresias?  How does this heighten the dramatic irony?


During class on Friday (Complete as homework if you do not complete in class):

I.  Read pp. 279 - 294, which is the end of this section (but not the end of the play). 
     (The next section of Oedipus Rex is here.  We will begin reading this version on page 82 on Monday).
II. Use Kami to annotate your downloaded pdf copy of the text in response to the following.

1. Page 278.  In your opinion, why does Tiresias finally speak the blunt truth to Oedipus?  How does Oedipus react when he does this?

2. Page 278.  What does Oedipus believe about Tiresias and why?

3. Page 279:  Oedipus looks to blame others and to discredit them.  Find two examples of specific evidence of these efforts to discredit.  (Lines 432 - 459).

4. Page 280:  Tiresias says important things here.  Choose one important sentence, type it out, and make a comment.

5. Page 281:  Why do you suppose that Tiresias speak in riddles?  What would happen if he spoke more directly?

6. Page 282 - 283:  Summarize in 2 - 3 sentences what the chorus says about the situation.

7. Page 285.  What charges have been brought against Creon?  What is his reaction to these charges?

8. Page 286, Line 214:  What character flaw in Oedipus is shown here?

9. Page 289:  What role is played by Jocasta here?  What role is played by the Chorus?

10.  Page 294:  Choose a key quote from this page and write a brief comment.

[The above prompts are on Google Classroom and also in a Google document here.]