Prereading discussion Questions for Oedipus Rex and Oedipus

Pre-reading discussion Questions for Oedipus Rex and Oedipus the King *Please have technology put away while we are discussing these questions. Otherwise you’ll lose points on your grade. *

What is the difference between hubris and a tragic mistake?

When you think of the term human nature, what do you think of? Are there elements of human nature that all humans share? What are those elements?

To what forces must mankind submit?

What constitutes human greatness?

Define modesty. Which is better: modesty or arrogance? Under what conditions might one be better than the other? Explain.

What is fate? What is the difference between fate and free-will?

Define dignity. Why is it important to have personal dignity?

Under what conditions might someone become a King if he wasn’t born into the royal family?

What happens when people have too much pride? (Think of examples from our modern time. Think of “greats” who have fallen. Did they suffer hubris? Were they arrogant? What was the great’s mistake? )

How can power corrupt? (Think of examples from our modern time to support your answer. )

What are flaws that can cause a leader to fail?

Imagine that a stranger approached you and told you that there was a great secret about you that could cause your downfall, but that you must never discover the secret. How would you react? Would you try to learn the secret? Or would you take the stranger’s advice to not pursue it?

How would you react if you found out that your parents were not your biological parents? Why might your adoptive parents keep that secret?