Things to Consider:

• Roles of Gods/Roles of Humans in Fate
• Roles of Prophets
• Relation of Character to Plot
• Images of Vision
• Oedipus vs. Gilgamesh/Agamemnon/Priam/Achilles
• Dramatic Irony
• Roles of Women: Iliad vs. Oedipus
• Role of Chorus
• Sigmund Freud
• Interesting Essay on Oedipus and Sphinx 

• How does Oedipus come to rule Thebes? 
• What kind of king is Oedipus?

• What is the cause of the plague? How does this plague compare with that found in the Iliad?

• What is the role of the Chorus?

• What does Oedipus think is the reason that Creon urges Tiresias to blame Oedipus?

• Explain:
From Phoebus and all-seeing Jove
Nought can be hid of actions here below;
But earthly prophets may deceitful prove,
And little more than mortals know.

• How does Jocasta react to Oedipus's claims?

• Why has Oedipus killed Laius? Is he justified?  Explain.

• Why does Oedipus blind himself? Is it indeed an act of "free will and heroism," as Bayton suggests (247)?
• Why does he do it the way he does?

• Explain:  "Apollo  was the cause; / He was, my friends, the cause of all my woes" (278).

• Is Oedipus's suffering really undeserved, as Bayton suggests (247)?

• Why do the citizens come to Oedipus's palace?

• Who is the Sphinx?

• Who is Tiresias? 

• How does Creon respond to Oedipus's claims?

• Why, at this point, can't Oedipus be sure that he killed Laius?

• Explain:  "Oftimes in dreams / Have men committed incest" (269).
• Explain:  "Think on thy father's death; it is a light / To guide thee here" (269).

• Why does Oedipus call himself the "son of fortune" (272)?  What does that mean?

• Why does the messenger say that the palace can't be washed clean by either the waters of the Danube or those of the "Phasis' streams"?  What does he mean?

• Explain:  "But what in act is vile the modest tongue / Should never name" (279).

• Explain Creon's opening speech (5.2.1-12).