1. Write a 4- page essay on one of the following prompts
1. How is Oedipus favored by the gods? What can he see? What
does he know? How is he beneficial to both Thebes and
Colonus?
2. How are the eyes an important role in both Oedipus the King
and Oedipus at Colonus?
3. Which gods are presented/ named/ called upon in Oedipus the
King? Which are in Oedipus at Colonus? Research these gods.
Give a brief summary of these gods. How are they necessary to
both plays? How do their characteristics relate to the themes
and/ or tone/ mood of the plays?
4. How does the tone and/ or mood relate to the symbols and/ or
themes in Oedipus at Colonus?
5. How does the tone and/ or mood relate to the symbols and/ or
themes in Oedipus the King?
6. Reflect on the character of Polyneices. Based on his actions
presented in the plays, analyze Polyneices as a son, a brother, a
ruler, and in general, as a person. For example, do you think he
really was remorseful for abandoning his father and sisters
when they needed him most? Also, analyze his relationship
between him and his brother Eteocles.
7. Reflect on Antigone. Describe her character. What
significance does she bring to the play?
8. What do the plays Oedipus the King and Oedipus at Colonus
suggest about royalty, nobility, or political families?
9. What does the play Oedipus at Colonus suggest about gender
roles during that time? Do the characters- namely Oedipus’
children- comply with gender roles or oppose them?
10. In general, what do the plays Oedipus the King and Oedipus
at Colonus suggest about family relationships?
11. "Oedipus complex" is an expression based off of the
play Oedipus the King. Define what this expression means,
briefly research the psychoanalytic theory, and analyze how the

2. expression derives from the play. How did this expression
become so conventional? (This essay topic involves some
research.)
12. Choose one or both of the plays and research the times in
which they were written. How does the history of Sophocles’
time reflect his works? How are history and literature
connected?
13. How is the chorus significant to both Oedipus the King and
Oedipus at Colonus? Who is the chorus supposed to represent?
How does that relate to both ancient Greece and citizens of
today? (May require a little research regarding the political
system of ancient Greece).
14. Give a timeline of Oedipus’ life. How has he matured and/
or changed?
15. Reflect on Laius, Oedipus, and Polyneices. How are they
similar? How are they different? What does their relationships
suggest about father/ son relationships or family relationships in
general?
16. Is Oedipus’ outcome destined by fate or is his cursed life
written by his own hand? Support ideas based off of the play.
17. Research Greek mythology, its practices, and the cultural
significance of mythology in Ancient Greece. Were they
properly represented in the Theban plays?
Please be advised that these are analytical prompts, not
responses nor summaries. Therefore, the majority of the essay
must examine and investigate these essay questions. Do not
simply retell the plays or answer the questions presented word-
for- word. Essays must be logically organized.