Quiz

Monday,
September 29, 2008

9:30 AM

1. The poet W. B.
Yeats identified the ___ nature of tragedy when he called it a “terrible
beauty.”

a.ironic
b. paradoxical      c.
beautiful      d. enlarging

2. A tragic figure,
also known as a tragic hero, is a person of ____ birth who suffers a/an ____ of
fortune.

a.
low…improvement      b. questionable…reversal
c.
noble…improvement     d. noble…reversal

3. The tragic
figure's most prominent characteristic is his

a.
brutality      b. stupidity
c.
dignity          d. physical
strength

4. Which statement
below is the most accurate description of dramatic irony?

a.
The characters know more than the audience.

b.
The characters are acutely aware of their situation and their destinies.

c.
The audience knows more than the characters.

d.
The tragic figure's actions are never a cause of dramatic irony.

5. The audience
watching a tragedy participates in the action by experiencing ___ and ___.

a.
pity…terror           b.
disgust…pity           c.
joy…fear           d.
pity…guilt

6. Aristotle called
the experience described in item 5 above as ____.

a. anamnesis
b. catharsis      c.
mimesis      d. choragos

7. Oedipus Rex traces a single plot through
one day in the life of one character. There is “nothing extra” in the play. The
play is considered

a.
incomplete      b.
economical          c.
multi-leveled           d.
fragmentary

8. Kreon is
Oedipus's ___. His personality serves to contrast with that of Oedipus.

a.
hubris      b. doppelganger
c. choragos      d. foil

9. Originally an
archery term, ____ refers to a tragic figure's misperception or lack of some
important insight.

a.
arete           b.
dramatic
irony           c.
paradox           d.
harmatia

Close reading. Read each passage carefully,
then select the BEST response to each question.

I
say I take the son’s part, just as
though                1

I
were his son, to press the fight for
him                2

And
see it won. I’ll find the hand that brought       3

Death
to Labdakos’ and Polydoros’
child…           4

10. The speaker of
these lines is

a.
Iokaste           b.
Kreon           c.
Iokaste           d.
Merope           e.
Oedipus

11. “Labdakos’ and
Polydorus’ child” (line 4) is

a.
Oedipus           b.
Kreon           c.
Laius           d.
Polybus

12. Which statement
below BEST explains why the above passage is an example of dramatic irony?

a.
The speaker reveals his arrogance even as he tries to conceal it.

b.
The audience knows that the speaker is the son of the man (‘him”) mentioned in
line 2.

c.
The speaker unintentionally reveals his inability to show remorse for his
crimes.

d.
The audience knows that Polydoros’ child is in fact alive and well in Corinth.

13. A director of
this play wants to intensify the dramatic irony of these lines. Which stage
direction should he give to the actor playing Oedipus?

a.
Say the words in line 1 in a sarcastic tone.

b.
While saying line 2, lean on a pillar.

c.
Hold up your hand while saying line 3

d.
Move your index across your throat while saying line 4

You
mock my blindness, do
you?                                                   1

But
I say that you, with both your eyes, are
blind:                        2

You
can not see the wretchedness of your
life,                          3

Nor
in whose house you live, no, nor with whom.
…                   4

But
the double lash of your parents’ curse will whip
you           5

Out
of the land some day, with only
night                                    6

Upon
your precious
eyes.                                                                7

14. The above
passage is spoken by ____ to _____.

a.
Kreon /
Tiresias           b.
Iokaste /
Oedipus           c.
Oedipus / Tiresias           d.
Tiresias / Oedipus

15. The “house”
referred to in line 4 belongs to

a.
Kreon      b. Tiresias
c. Polybus      d. Laius

16. The passage
communicates a central ____ of the play: the blind can see and the sighted are
blind.

a.
question           b.
paradox           c.
symbol           d.
strophe

17. The speaker in
the above lines is being sarcastic. Which word most firmly establishes that
tone?

a.
“blind” (2)           b.
“whip” (5)           c.
“night” (6)           d.
“precious” (7)

18 The translator of
the play uses the word “wretchedness” (line 3), a variant of wretch, which comes from the Old English word wrecca, an exile or an outcast. The
translator's purpose in using that word may likely have been to

a.
foreshadow Oedipus's fate

b.
indicate Tiresias’s opinion of himself as a blind man

c.
make the translation sound more modern

d.
draw the reader's attention to Oedipus's hubris

Would
any sane man
prefer                                    1

Power,
with all a king’s
anxieties,                          2

To
that same power and the grace of sleep?      3

Certainly
not
I.                                                           4

I
have never longed for the king’s power—only his rights. 5

19. The speaker of
the above lines is

a.
Kreon           b.
Oedipus           c.
Tiresias           d.
Choragos

20. The “grace of
sleep” in line 3 is a metaphor for the speaker’s

a.
paranoia           b.
lust for
power           c.
carefree life           d.
blindness

21. The above
passage is ironic because

a.
the speaker does become king

b.
the speaker is put to death

c.
the speaker is the murderer of the former king of Thebes

d.
the speaker is dethroned

22. The passage
suggests that the speaker is Oedipus's foil. Based on the passage, which
statement below most accurately describes the contrast between Oedipus and the
speaker?

a.
Oedipus plays it safe. The speaker is a risk taker.

b.
Oedipus seeks power while the speaker prefers a life of ease.

c.
Oedipus is sane and the speaker is not.

d.Oedipus
thrives on anxiety. The speaker thrives on sleep.

Why
should anyone in this world be afraid,

Since
Fate rules us and nothing can be foreseen?

A
man should live only for the present day.

23. The speaker of
the above lines is

a.
Oedipus          b.
Corinthian Messenger     c.
Kreon          d. Iokaste

24. The speaker of
the lines would probably have the least respect for anything __ would say.

a.
Tiresias          b.
Kreon          c.
Choragos          d. Iokaste

25. The tone of the
passage can best be described as ____

a.
reverent          b.
skeptical          c.
fearful          d. ecstatic

If
you have lost all respect for man’s
dignity,                     1

At
least respect the flame of the Lord
Helios;                    2

Do
not allow this pollution to show
itself                            3

Openly
here, an affront to the
earth                                    4

And
Heaven’s rain and the light of day. No, take
him        5

Into
the house as quickly as you
can,                                   6

For
it is
proper                                                                         7

That
only the close kindred see his
grief.                           8

26. The speaker of
the above lines is

a.
Iokaste           b.
Oedipus           c.
Kreon           d.
Tiresias

27. “The flame of
the Lord Helios” in line 2 is the

a.
lamps of the
city           b.
sun           c.
moon           d. stars

28. The “pollution”
in line 3 is

a.
the plague           b.
Oedipus           c.
Tiresias           d.
Iokaste

29. An “affront”
(line 4) is a / an

a.
insult           b.
compliment           c.
reminder           d.
omen

30 The speaker may
be well intentioned, but he does not understand that Oedipus's suffering must
be ___

a.
dramatic           b.painful           c.
humiliating           d.
public

31. Which word in
the passage would most accurately describe the speaker?

a.”openly”
(4)           b.
“quickly”
(6)           c.
“proper” (7)           d.
“grief” (8)

And
yet I
know                                                                        1

Death
will not ever come to me through
sickness           2

Or
in any natural way: I have been
preserved                   3

For
some unthinkable fate. But let that
be.                        4

32. The speaker of
the above lines is

a.
Iokaste           b.
Kreon           c.
Polybus           d.
Oedipus

33. The “unthinkable
fate” in line 4 is most likely

a.
physical
pain           b.
separation from
family           c.
loneliness           d.
death           e.
wisdom

34. When the speaker
says, “But let that be” in line 4, his tone is one of

a.
acceptance           b.
defiance           c.
confusion           d.
forgetfulness

35. By using the
word “preserved” (3), the speaker suggests that

a.
the gods have consecrated him (set him aside) to serve as an emblem of divine
wisdom

b.
the gods will soon rescind (cancel)  his punishmnent and restore him to
the throne.

c.
the gods will exact retribution (take revenge) on the speaker's family

d.
the gods will intervene in human affairs (theophany) more lovingly now that
Oedipus has suffered.

Let
every man in mankind’s
frailty                       1

Consider
his last day; and let
none                     2

Presume
on his good fortune until he
find         3

Life,
at his death, a memory without
pain.           4

36. The “last day”
in line 2 refers to

a.
yesterday           b.
the end of the
world           c. the
day of one’s death      d. today

37. Which word in
the passage most vividly expresses the theme of humanity's weakness against
forces beyond its control?

a.
frailty           b.
fortune           c.
presume           d.
memory

38. The speaker of
the above lines is

a.
Kreon           b.
Apollo           c.
Tiresias           d.
Choragos

39. Since the
speaker directs these lines to the audience, he is probably _____ them.

a.
greeting           b.
warning           c.
accusing           d.
apologizing to

40. Which statement
below BEST paraphrases the main idea of the passage?

a.
Live and learn.

b.
Think before you act.

c.
Live for the moment and live for the best.

d.
Don’t say your life has been happy until it’s over.

e.
You reap what you sow.

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Quiz

Monday,
September 29, 2008

9:30 AM

1. The poet W. B.
Yeats identified the ___ nature of tragedy when he called it a “terrible
beauty.”

a.ironic
b. paradoxical      c.
beautiful      d. enlarging

2. A tragic figure,
also known as a tragic hero, is a person of ____ birth who suffers a/an ____ of
fortune.

a.
low…improvement      b. questionable…reversal
c.
noble…improvement     d. noble…reversal

3. The tragic
figure's most prominent characteristic is his

a.
brutality      b. stupidity
c.
dignity          d. physical
strength

4. Which statement
below is the most accurate description of dramatic irony?

a.
The characters know more than the audience.

b.
The characters are acutely aware of their situation and their destinies.

c.
The audience knows more than the characters.

d.
The tragic figure's actions are never a cause of dramatic irony.

5. The audience
watching a tragedy participates in the action by experiencing ___ and ___.

a.
pity…terror           b.
disgust…pity           c.
joy…fear           d.
pity…guilt

6. Aristotle called
the experience described in item 5 above as ____.

a. anamnesis
b. catharsis      c.
mimesis      d. choragos

7. Oedipus Rex traces a single plot through
one day in the life of one character. There is “nothing extra” in the play. The
play is considered

a.
incomplete      b.
economical          c.
multi-leveled           d.
fragmentary

8. Kreon is
Oedipus's ___. His personality serves to contrast with that of Oedipus.

a.
hubris      b. doppelganger
c. choragos      d. foil

9. Originally an
archery term, ____ refers to a tragic figure's misperception or lack of some
important insight.

a.
arete           b.
dramatic
irony           c.
paradox           d.
harmatia

Close reading. Read each passage carefully,
then select the BEST response to each question.

I
say I take the son’s part, just as
though                1

I
were his son, to press the fight for
him                2

And
see it won. I’ll find the hand that brought       3

Death
to Labdakos’ and Polydoros’
child…           4

10. The speaker of
these lines is

a.
Iokaste           b.
Kreon           c.
Iokaste           d.
Merope           e.
Oedipus

11. “Labdakos’ and
Polydorus’ child” (line 4) is

a.
Oedipus           b.
Kreon           c.
Laius           d.
Polybus

12. Which statement
below BEST explains why the above passage is an example of dramatic irony?

a.
The speaker reveals his arrogance even as he tries to conceal it.

b.
The audience knows that the speaker is the son of the man (‘him”) mentioned in
line 2.

c.
The speaker unintentionally reveals his inability to show remorse for his
crimes.

d.
The audience knows that Polydoros’ child is in fact alive and well in Corinth.

13. A director of
this play wants to intensify the dramatic irony of these lines. Which stage
direction should he give to the actor playing Oedipus?

a.
Say the words in line 1 in a sarcastic tone.

b.
While saying line 2, lean on a pillar.

c.
Hold up your hand while saying line 3

d.
Move your index across your throat while saying line 4

You
mock my blindness, do
you?                                                   1

But
I say that you, with both your eyes, are
blind:                        2

You
can not see the wretchedness of your
life,                          3

Nor
in whose house you live, no, nor with whom.
…                   4

But
the double lash of your parents’ curse will whip
you           5

Out
of the land some day, with only
night                                    6

Upon
your precious
eyes.                                                                7

14. The above
passage is spoken by ____ to _____.

a.
Kreon /
Tiresias           b.
Iokaste /
Oedipus           c.
Oedipus / Tiresias           d.
Tiresias / Oedipus

15. The “house”
referred to in line 4 belongs to

a.
Kreon      b. Tiresias
c. Polybus      d. Laius

16. The passage
communicates a central ____ of the play: the blind can see and the sighted are
blind.

a.
question           b.
paradox           c.
symbol           d.
strophe

17. The speaker in
the above lines is being sarcastic. Which word most firmly establishes that
tone?

a.
“blind” (2)           b.
“whip” (5)           c.
“night” (6)           d.
“precious” (7)

18 The translator of
the play uses the word “wretchedness” (line 3), a variant of wretch, which comes from the Old English word wrecca, an exile or an outcast. The
translator's purpose in using that word may likely have been to

a.
foreshadow Oedipus's fate

b.
indicate Tiresias’s opinion of himself as a blind man

c.
make the translation sound more modern

d.
draw the reader's attention to Oedipus's hubris

Would
any sane man
prefer                                    1

Power,
with all a king’s
anxieties,                          2

To
that same power and the grace of sleep?      3

Certainly
not
I.                                                           4

I
have never longed for the king’s power—only his rights. 5

19. The speaker of
the above lines is

a.
Kreon           b.
Oedipus           c.
Tiresias           d.
Choragos

20. The “grace of
sleep” in line 3 is a metaphor for the speaker’s

a.
paranoia           b.
lust for
power           c.
carefree life           d.
blindness

21. The above
passage is ironic because

a.
the speaker does become king

b.
the speaker is put to death

c.
the speaker is the murderer of the former king of Thebes

d.
the speaker is dethroned

22. The passage
suggests that the speaker is Oedipus's foil. Based on the passage, which
statement below most accurately describes the contrast between Oedipus and the
speaker?

a.
Oedipus plays it safe. The speaker is a risk taker.

b.
Oedipus seeks power while the speaker prefers a life of ease.

c.
Oedipus is sane and the speaker is not.

d.Oedipus
thrives on anxiety. The speaker thrives on sleep.

Why
should anyone in this world be afraid,

Since
Fate rules us and nothing can be foreseen?

A
man should live only for the present day.

23. The speaker of
the above lines is

a.
Oedipus          b.
Corinthian Messenger     c.
Kreon          d. Iokaste

24. The speaker of
the lines would probably have the least respect for anything __ would say.

a.
Tiresias          b.
Kreon          c.
Choragos          d. Iokaste

25. The tone of the
passage can best be described as ____

a.
reverent          b.
skeptical          c.
fearful          d. ecstatic

If
you have lost all respect for man’s
dignity,                     1

At
least respect the flame of the Lord
Helios;                    2

Do
not allow this pollution to show
itself                            3

Openly
here, an affront to the
earth                                    4

And
Heaven’s rain and the light of day. No, take
him        5

Into
the house as quickly as you
can,                                   6

For
it is
proper                                                                         7

That
only the close kindred see his
grief.                           8

26. The speaker of
the above lines is

a.
Iokaste           b.
Oedipus           c.
Kreon           d.
Tiresias

27. “The flame of
the Lord Helios” in line 2 is the

a.
lamps of the
city           b.
sun           c.
moon           d. stars

28. The “pollution”
in line 3 is

a.
the plague           b.
Oedipus           c.
Tiresias           d.
Iokaste

29. An “affront”
(line 4) is a / an

a.
insult           b.
compliment           c.
reminder           d.
omen

30 The speaker may
be well intentioned, but he does not understand that Oedipus's suffering must
be ___

a.
dramatic           b.painful           c.
humiliating           d.
public

31. Which word in
the passage would most accurately describe the speaker?

a.”openly”
(4)           b.
“quickly”
(6)           c.
“proper” (7)           d.
“grief” (8)

And
yet I
know                                                                        1

Death
will not ever come to me through
sickness           2

Or
in any natural way: I have been
preserved                   3

For
some unthinkable fate. But let that
be.                        4

32. The speaker of
the above lines is

a.
Iokaste           b.
Kreon           c.
Polybus           d.
Oedipus

33. The “unthinkable
fate” in line 4 is most likely

a.
physical
pain           b.
separation from
family           c.
loneliness           d.
death           e.
wisdom

34. When the speaker
says, “But let that be” in line 4, his tone is one of

a.
acceptance           b.
defiance           c.
confusion           d.
forgetfulness

35. By using the
word “preserved” (3), the speaker suggests that

a.
the gods have consecrated him (set him aside) to serve as an emblem of divine
wisdom

b.
the gods will soon rescind (cancel)  his punishmnent and restore him to
the throne.

c.
the gods will exact retribution (take revenge) on the speaker's family

d.
the gods will intervene in human affairs (theophany) more lovingly now that
Oedipus has suffered.

Let
every man in mankind’s
frailty                       1

Consider
his last day; and let
none                     2

Presume
on his good fortune until he
find         3

Life,
at his death, a memory without
pain.           4

36. The “last day”
in line 2 refers to

a.
yesterday           b.
the end of the
world           c. the
day of one’s death      d. today

37. Which word in
the passage most vividly expresses the theme of humanity's weakness against
forces beyond its control?

a.
frailty           b.
fortune           c.
presume           d.
memory

38. The speaker of
the above lines is

a.
Kreon           b.
Apollo           c.
Tiresias           d.
Choragos

39. Since the
speaker directs these lines to the audience, he is probably _____ them.

a.
greeting           b.
warning           c.
accusing           d.
apologizing to

40. Which statement
below BEST paraphrases the main idea of the passage?

a.
Live and learn.

b.
Think before you act.

c.
Live for the moment and live for the best.

d.
Don’t say your life has been happy until it’s over.

e.
You reap what you sow.

Pasted
from <http://mrmullen.pbwiki.com/Oedipus-Rex-Quiz>