Oedipus Rex

High school (ages 12+)
Art & Creativity

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/oedipus-rex

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. Who wrote Oedipus Rex?Sophocles, one of the three great tragedians of ancient Athens
2. What is the genre?Greek Tragedy
3. What is Oedipus Rex about?It is a story about a king named Oedipus who tried to escape a prophecy but ended up fulfilling it. The play shows how destiny and choices can lead to tragic outcomes.
4. Why did Oedipus's parents leave him on the mountain?They wanted to stop the prophecy that he would kill his father and marry his mother. By abandoning him, they hoped he would never meet his family.

Anagnorisis: The moment of critical discovery or recognition in a play, often leading to a reversal of fortune.
Catharsis: The purging of strong emotions, such as pity and fear, experienced by an audience watching a tragedy.
Hubris: Excessive pride or self-confidence, often leading to a character's downfall.