Essential Answers in Classical Literature: Oedipus, Homer, and Horace
Key Questions on Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex and Thebes
The Plague and the King’s Murder
Whose murder must be avenged to end the plague in Thebes?
The murder that needs to be avenged to end the plague in Thebes is that of Laius, the former king of Thebes.
What news did Creon bring from the Oracle at Delphi?
Creon brought news from the Oracle at Delphi that the plague ravaging Thebes could only be lifted by finding and punishing the murderer of the former king, Laius.
How does Oedipus try to avenge the murder of Laius?
Oedipus attempts to avenge the murder of Laius by launching a thorough investigation to uncover the killer’s identity, questioning witnesses, and seeking the truth from the blind prophet Tiresias.
Who founded the city of Thebes?
In Greek mythology, Cadmus founded the city of Thebes.
Who is the foster mother of Oedipus?
The foster mother of Oedipus is Merope, the wife of King Polybus of Corinth. (Note: Jocasta is his biological mother and wife.)
Mythology: Juno, Actaeon, and Divine Transformations
Roman and Greek Myths
Why does Juno want to punish her husband, Jupiter?
In Roman mythology, Juno wants to punish her husband, Jupiter, because she is constantly jealous of his many love affairs with other women. She fears his infidelity will threaten her position as the queen of the gods and potentially lead to her being replaced by one of his lovers’ children.
How is Actaeon transformed?
In Greek mythology, Actaeon is transformed into a stag by the goddess Artemis (Diana).
What was the cause of Actaeon’s death?
Actaeon was killed by his own hounds after the goddess Diana (Artemis) changed him into a stag as punishment for seeing her bathing.
What prophecy does Cadmus hear after killing the serpent?
After killing the serpent, Cadmus hears a prophecy that he himself will one day become a snake.
Why is Bacchus called “twice-born”?
Bacchus (Dionysus) is called “twice-born” because he was first born from his mortal mother Semele. When Semele died, Zeus saved the unborn Dionysus by sewing him into his own thigh and carrying him to term, essentially giving birth to him a second time.
Homer’s Epics: The Iliad and The Odyssey
Warriors and Divine Intervention
What is Zeus’s message in Book II of The Iliad?
In The Iliad, Zeus’s message in Book 2 is intended to trick Agamemnon into attacking Troy, which Zeus supports.
Name one warrior involved in the Trojan War.
A well-known warrior from the Trojan War is Achilles.
Which warrior refuses to speak to Odysseus in the underworld?
In Homer’s Odyssey, the warrior who refuses to speak to Odysseus in the underworld is Ajax (Telamonian Ajax).
Plautus’ Aulularia: The Pot of Gold Characters
Euclio’s Misfortune and the Stolen Treasure
How did Euclio get the pot of gold?
In Plautus’ play Aulularia (The Pot of Gold), Euclio received his pot of gold through a divine intervention, finding it hidden in his house.
Who discovers and steals Euclio’s pot of gold from its hiding place?
Strobilus, the servant of Lyconides, steals Euclio’s pot of gold from its hiding place.
Who are the cooks in the play Pot of Gold?
The two cooks hired for the wedding preparations in Aulularia are Congrio and Anthrax.
What does Euclio buy for his daughter’s wedding?
Euclio, being a miserly character, buys almost nothing for his daughter’s wedding, opting for only a small amount of inexpensive items like a wreath of flowers and some frankincense.
Horace’s Satires: Poetic Intentions and Patrons
Foundations of Good Poetry
What, according to Horace, is the starting point for good poetry?
According to Horace, the starting point for producing good poetry is wisdom. He believed that a poet should draw from their knowledge and understanding to create meaningful and impactful verse, stating that wisdom is the foundation for writing correct poetry.
What was Horace’s prime intention for writing the Satires?
Horace’s prime intention in writing the Satires was to critique and correct societal vices and follies through wit and humor.
What roles does Maecenas play in Horace’s Satires?
Maecenas serves as a patron and a symbol of ideal patronage in Horace’s Satires.
Who is Fannius in Horace’s Satire I: IV?
In Horace’s Satire I: IV, Fannius is portrayed as a minor poet of Rome who is notable for his extreme self-promotion.