Oedipus Rex by Sophocles
“a husband from a husband, children from a child”
In this learning module, students develop close reading skills as they examine Sophocles’s classic Greek tragedy Oedipus Rex, or Oedipus the King. The tragic downfall of Oedipus through the slow and deliberate unraveling of the mystery of King Laius’s murder raises enduring questions about the role of fate versus free will. Students will explore how the central idea of the role of fate in Oedipus’s guilt emerges, and is shaped and refined through the slow revelation of key details. As students read, discuss, and write about the text, they will also examine how Sophocles structures the order of events in the drama to create the effects of mystery and tension.
This page includes learning activities that analyze how Sophocles unfolds a tragedy and tells a story of fate, blindness and self-discovery. Students analyze Sophocles’s craft and how he uses the structure of the text and elements of classical tragedy to refine central ideas, advance the plot, and create effects such as tension.
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Resources - Oedipus Rex
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Lessons
Part 1 Lessons
Complete text of play
Lesson 0 - Complete the Ancient Greek Web Exploration Tool as preparation for the study of Oedipus Rex.
Lesson 1: Lines 1-66 - In this passage, Oedipus is introduced as ruler of Thebes, and the plague that devastates the land is established.
- Classwork 1 - read and annotate the text of Oedipus Rex from “My children, latest generation born from Cadmus,” through “if no men share your life together there” (lines 1–66).
- Discussion/Study Questions - individual or groups
- QuickWrite - respond briefly in writing to the following question: How does Oedipus refer to himself and how is he referred to by others?
- Classwork 2 - Reread the Priest’s speech from “Oedipus, ruler of my native land” through “if no men share your life together there” (lines 16–66). Work with the following tool to identify and record the actions that happen in this passage, distinguishing between those that occur on stage, and those that are related through dialogue. For each action, provide a summary of the action in your own words, and support your understanding with evidence from the text.
- Homework - respond briefly in writing to the following prompt: How does Sophocles’s choice to open the tragedy with dialogue about the past create mystery or confusion in the present?
Lesson 2: Lines 67-130 - In this passage, Creon relays the advice of the god Apollo to Oedipus.
- Classwork - read and annotate the text of Oedipus Rex from “My poor children, I know why you have come” through “but what is overlooked escapes” (lines 67–130).
- Discussion/Study Questions - individual or groups
- QuickWrite - respond briefly in writing to the following question: What is a central idea that emerges from Oedipus and Creon’s dialogue?
- Homework - Expand and revise notes collected in Oedipus the King reading in Lessons 1 and 2.
Lesson 3: Lines 131-177 - In this passage, Oedipus and Creon continue their conversation concerning the death of Laius.
- Classwork 1 - read and annotate the text of Oedipus Rex from “When Laius fell in bloody death, where was he” through “[OEDIPUS and CREON go into the palace]” (lines 131–177).
- Discussion/Study Questions - individual or groups
- QuickWrite - respond briefly in writing to the following prompt: Visualize what is happening on the stage in this excerpt. What is the relationship between the actions that Creon describes and the actions that take place on stage?
- Classwork 2 - Complete the Mystery Revealed Jigsaw Tool to track the details of Laius’s murder, as well as explore how Sophocles structures the revelation of these details. The process of how these details are revealed is as important in understanding the text as the details themselves.
- Homework - Reread the section of the text from this lesson, from “When Laius fell in bloody death” through “will prove our common ruin” (lines 131–177). Define the course of action Oedipus has vowed to take in avenging Laius. Use evidence from the text to support your response.
Lesson 4: Lines 178-355 - In this excerpt, the Chorus appears for the first time, and the Chorus Leader discusses with Oedipus the mystery of Laius’s murder.
- Classwork - read and annotate the text of Oedipus Rex from “Oh sweet speaking voice of Zeus,” through “more so than in all other men” (lines 178-355).
- Discussion/Study Questions - individual or groups
- QuickWrite - respond briefly in writing to the following prompt: What role does Teiresias play in this excerpt? How does this role shape a central idea?
- Homework - Call upon the understanding of the relationship between gods and men that you developed in this lesson to answer the following question: If “no man has the power to force the gods to speak against their will” (lines 328–329) how do men receive messages from the gods? Use evidence from the text to support your response.
Lesson 5: Lines 356-453 - In this excerpt, Oedipus has a confrontation with the blind prophet Teiresias.
- Classwork - read and annotate the text of Oedipus Rex from “Teiresias, you who understand all things” through “He will be enough” (lines 356–453).
- Discussion/Study Questions - individual or groups
- QuickWrite - respond briefly in writing to the following prompt: Where is truth found according to Oedipus? Where is truth found according to Teiresias?
- Homework - respond briefly in writing to the following prompt: According to Teiresias, what can Oedipus see? What can’t he see? What might this suggest about how Teiresias understands Oedipus’s authority as king?
Lesson 6: Lines 454-535 - In this excerpt, Oedipus continues his confrontation with the blind prophet Teiresias.
- Classwork - read and annotate the text of Oedipus Rex from “Is this something Creon has devised” through “I do not care, if I have saved the city” (lines 454–535).
- Discussion/Study Questions - individual or groups
- QuickWrite - respond briefly in writing to the following prompt: Analyze how Sophocles revisits Oedipus's past experience with the Sphinx to create mystery and tension about Oedipus's future.
- Homework - Revise and expand your class notes: re-read the passage from today and either select new evidence to support observations made in class or strengthen your notes by reorganizing them.
Lesson 7: Lines 536-657 - In this excerpt, Teiresias reveals the murderer’s identity in the form of a prophetic riddle, and Oedipus accuses Creon of the crime of Laius’s murder.
- Classwork - read and annotate the text of Oedipus Rex from “I will go now. Boy lead me away” through “a troublemaker, an enemy of mine” (lines 536-657). Annotate for the movement of characters on or off the stage as expressed through dialogue or stage directions.
- Discussion/Study Questions - individual or groups
- QuickWrite - respond briefly in writing to the following question: How does Sophocles use the timing of Creon’s entrance into the dialogue to create tension for the audience?
- Homework - Reread from: “I’m going. But first I shall tell you” through “a troublemaker, an enemy of mine” (lines 539–657) and review and expand your Quick Write, calling upon evidence from other passages in the text as support.
Lesson 8: Lines 658–766 - In this excerpt, Oedipus and Creon have an argument.
- Classwork - read and annotate the text of Oedipus Rex from “At least first listen to what I have to say” through “it is not yours alone” (lines 658–766).
- Discussion/Study Questions - individual or groups
- QuickWrite - respond briefly in writing to the following question: How does Oedipus's reaction to the prophecy reveal how his beliefs about Teresias and prophecy have changed?
- Homework - Reread the section of the text from this lesson, from “At least first listen to what I have to say” through “it is not yours alone” (lines 658–766). Use several of the following vocabulary words to summarize the argument between Oedipus and Creon: allegations, betrayed, reproach, spurred, and rash.
Lesson 9: Lines 454-535 - In this excerpt, Oedipus continues his confrontation with the blind prophet Teiresias.
- Classwork - read and annotate the text of Oedipus Rex from “Is this something Creon has devised” through “I do not care, if I have saved the city” (lines 454–535).
- Discussion/Study Questions - individual or groups
- QuickWrite - respond briefly in writing to the following prompt: Analyze how Sophocles revisits Oedipus's past experience with the Sphinx to create mystery and tension about Oedipus's future.
- Homework - Revise and expand your class notes: re-read the passage from today and either select new evidence to support observations made in class or strengthen your notes by reorganizing them.
Lesson 10: Lines 874–922 - In this excerpt, Oedipus continues his confrontation with the blind prophet Teiresias.
- Classwork - read and annotate the text of Oedipus Rex from “Is this something Creon has devised” through “I do not care, if I have saved the city” (lines 874–922).
- Discussion/Study Questions - individual or groups
- QuickWrite - respond briefly in writing to the following prompt: Analyze how Sophocles revisits Oedipus's past experience with the Sphinx to create mystery and tension about Oedipus's future.
- Homework - Revise and expand your class notes: re-read the passage from today and either select new evidence to support observations made in class or strengthen your notes by reorganizing them.
Lesson 11: Lines 922–998 - In this excerpt, Oedipus continues his confrontation with the blind prophet Teiresias.
- Classwork - read and annotate the text of Oedipus Rex from “Is this something Creon has devised” through “I do not care, if I have saved the city” (lines 922–998).
- Discussion/Study Questions - individual or groups
- QuickWrite - respond briefly in writing to the following prompt: Analyze how Sophocles revisits Oedipus's past experience with the Sphinx to create mystery and tension about Oedipus's future.
- Homework - Revise and expand your class notes: re-read the passage from today and either select new evidence to support observations made in class or strengthen your notes by reorganizing them.
Lesson 12 - Mid-Unit Assessment - In this lesson, the Mid-Unit Assessment, students develop a three-point claim in response to the following question: What relationship does Sophocles establish between prophecy and Oedipus’s actions?
Because it is a formal writing task, the Mid-Unit Assessment should include introductory and concluding statements; well-chosen, relevant, and sufficient textual evidence; and precise language and domain-specific vocabulary. Remember to demonstrate attention to correct grammar, usage, and conventions in their writing.
Part 2 Lessons
Complete text of play
Lesson 13: Lines 999–1126 - In this excerpt, Oedipus continues his confrontation with the blind prophet Teiresias.
- Classwork - read and annotate the text of Oedipus Rex from “Is this something Creon has devised” through “I do not care, if I have saved the city” (lines 999–1126).
- Discussion/Study Questions - individual or groups
- QuickWrite - respond briefly in writing to the following prompt: Analyze how Sophocles revisits Oedipus's past experience with the Sphinx to create mystery and tension about Oedipus's future.
- Homework - Revise and expand your class notes: re-read the passage from today and either select new evidence to support observations made in class or strengthen your notes by reorganizing them.
Lesson 14: Lines 1127–1214 - In this excerpt, Oedipus continues his confrontation with the blind prophet Teiresias.
- Classwork - read and annotate the text of Oedipus Rex from “Is this something Creon has devised” through “I do not care, if I have saved the city” (lines 1127–1214).
- Discussion/Study Questions - individual or groups
- QuickWrite - respond briefly in writing to the following prompt: Analyze how Sophocles revisits Oedipus's past experience with the Sphinx to create mystery and tension about Oedipus's future.
- Homework - Revise and expand your class notes: re-read the passage from today and either select new evidence to support observations made in class or strengthen your notes by reorganizing them.
Lesson 15: Lines 1215–1305 - In this excerpt, Oedipus continues his confrontation with the blind prophet Teiresias.
- Classwork - read and annotate the text of Oedipus Rex from “Is this something Creon has devised” through “I do not care, if I have saved the city” (lines 1215–1305).
- Discussion/Study Questions - individual or groups
- QuickWrite - respond briefly in writing to the following prompt: Analyze how Sophocles revisits Oedipus's past experience with the Sphinx to create mystery and tension about Oedipus's future.
- Homework - Revise and expand your class notes: re-read the passage from today and either select new evidence to support observations made in class or strengthen your notes by reorganizing them.
Lesson 16: Lines 1330–1422 - In this excerpt, Oedipus continues his confrontation with the blind prophet Teiresias.
- Classwork - read and annotate the text of Oedipus Rex from “Is this something Creon has devised” through “I do not care, if I have saved the city” (lines 1330–1422).
- Discussion/Study Questions - individual or groups
- QuickWrite - respond briefly in writing to the following prompt: Analyze how Sophocles revisits Oedipus's past experience with the Sphinx to create mystery and tension about Oedipus's future.
- Homework - Revise and expand your class notes: re-read the passage from today and either select new evidence to support observations made in class or strengthen your notes by reorganizing them.
Lesson 17: Lines 1423–1547 - In this excerpt, Oedipus continues his confrontation with the blind prophet Teiresias.
- Classwork - read and annotate the text of Oedipus Rex from “Is this something Creon has devised” through “I do not care, if I have saved the city” (lines 1423–1547).
- Discussion/Study Questions - individual or groups
- QuickWrite - respond briefly in writing to the following prompt: Analyze how Sophocles revisits Oedipus's past experience with the Sphinx to create mystery and tension about Oedipus's future.
- Homework - Revise and expand your class notes: re-read the passage from today and either select new evidence to support observations made in class or strengthen your notes by reorganizing them.
Lesson 18: Lines 1548–1672 - In this excerpt, Oedipus continues his confrontation with the blind prophet Teiresias.
- Classwork - read and annotate the text of Oedipus Rex from “Is this something Creon has devised” through “I do not care, if I have saved the city” (lines 1548–1672).
- Discussion/Study Questions - individual or groups
- QuickWrite - respond briefly in writing to the following prompt: Analyze how Sophocles revisits Oedipus's past experience with the Sphinx to create mystery and tension about Oedipus's future.
- Homework - Revise and expand your class notes: re-read the passage from today and either select new evidence to support observations made in class or strengthen your notes by reorganizing them.
Lesson 19: Lines 1673–1814 - In the conclusion of the play, including lines 1673–1814. listen for how the relationship between Oedipus and Creon changes and what Oedipus asks of Creon.
- Classwork - read and annotate the text of Oedipus Rex from “Creon is coming. He is just in time” through the conclusion (lines 1673–1814).
- Homework - Review your text and gather evidence in preparation for the End-of-Unit Assessment.>
- Guilt and Innocence Evidence Collection Tool
- use to gather evidence for End-of-Unit Assessment
Lesson 20 - End-of-Unit Assessment - In this End-of-Unit Assessment, students work with the Guilt and Innocence Evidence Collection Tool and craft a multi-paragraph response exploring how Sophocles develops the central idea Oedipus’s guilt throughout the play.
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