Question

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1. oedipus vows to fight for laius \as if he were my own father.\ what is the figurative meaning of this expression?

a. oedipus is comparing laius to a weak man.
b. oedipus is promising loyalty as though laius were family.
c. oedipus is rejecting his own parents.
d. oedipus is warning others not to disrespect him.

1. when oedipus curses laius’s killer, he calls down “a life of searing agony” what is the effect of this word choice?

a. it establishes a hopeful tone for justice.
b. it foreshadows the personal tragedy that awaits oedipus.
c. it exaggerates the murderer’s crime.
d. it creates a humorous tone to ease the people’s suffering.

1. the priest describes thebes as “your eyes see the truth: thebes is drowning in a deadly... is sinking beneath the waves of death.” how does this language shape the tone?

a. it creates a hopeful mood of new beginnings.
b. it conveys despair and devastation.
c. it suggests the people have exaggerated the crisis.
d. it emphasizes the humor of the city’s struggles.

1. what is the effect of oedipus’s use of strong nouns and verbs like “proclamation” and “cut? down” when discussing the murderer?

a. they suggest oedipus feels powerless.
b. they emphasize his determination to take decisive action.
c. they show oedipus is uncertain about what to do.
d. they make his speech sound more compassionate than forceful.

1. the priest compares oedipus’s wisdom to that of the gods. what is the effect of this comparison?

a. it sets a tone of irony, as the audience knows oedipus is blind to the truth.
b. it diminishes oedipus’s intelligence.
c. it suggests the gods disapprove of oedipus’s rule.
d. it emphasizes that oedipus has never made a mistake.

Explanation:

Question 5

The phrase "as if he were my own father" shows Oedipus is treating Laius with family - like loyalty. Option A is wrong as it's not about Laius's weakness. Option C is wrong as he's not rejecting his parents. Option D is wrong as it's not about warning others. So the correct option is about promising loyalty as if Laius were family.

Oedipus later has his own tragic life. The phrase "a life of searing agony" foreshadows his own tragedy. Option A is wrong as it's not a hopeful tone. Option C is wrong as it's not about exaggerating the crime. Option D is wrong as it's not humorous.

The description of Thebes "drowning in a deadly... sinking beneath the waves of death" shows a desperate and devastated situation. Option A is wrong as it's not hopeful. Option C is wrong as it's not an exaggeration. Option D is wrong as it's not humorous.

Answer:

B. Oedipus is promising loyalty as though Laius were family.

Question 6