Part A

In Oedipus the King, Part I, the Chorus sings an ode after the Oedipus-Teiresias episode. Based on the strophes and the answering antistrophes, what does the Chorus conclude?
A. Oedipus has given them reason to trust his wisdom and innocence.
B. Oedipus will flee Thebes, but he will not be able to hide from the gods.
C. Oedipus will no longer be able to save the city even though he was able to save it from the Sphinx.
D. The words of Teiresias should not be heeded because Teiresias bases his prophecies on the flights of birds.
Part B
Which of the following lines from the antistrophes best support the answer to Part A?
A. Chorus. Parnassus! Blinding peak of snow! / You flash to earth the icy will of the gods. / Find the killer. Find the man who roams….
B. Chorus. …There is nowhere to hide from the light / Of Apollo's shrine, / When voices divine hunt him down…..
C. Chorus. Zeus and Apollo know all things, …. But that a prophet knows more than I, / What proof is there? One man may possess / More wisdom than another.
D. Chorus. …He saved our city from the Sphinx / Was tested hard and shone like gold. / to my mind he is wise and guilt-free.

1 answer

Part A: The best conclusion drawn by the Chorus after the Oedipus-Teiresias episode is: C. Oedipus will no longer be able to save the city even though he was able to save it from the Sphinx.

Part B: The line from the antistrophes that best supports the answer to Part A is: D. Chorus. …He saved our city from the Sphinx / Was tested hard and shone like gold. / to my mind he is wise and guilt-free.

This line highlights the contrast between Oedipus's past success in saving Thebes from the Sphinx and the current situation where his ability to help is in doubt.