Learning Guide Module

Subject Code Eng 4 English 4

Module Code 5.0 Oedipus Rex
Lesson Code 5.2 Oedipus Rex
Time Limit 30 minutes

Components Tasks TAa ATAb

Target By the end of this learning guide module, the students should be able to:

1. point out the conventions of tragedy; 1

min.
2. describe the heroic world - the heroism that faces and suffers death; and
3. understand the roles of the gods and man in determining one’s destiny as
depicted in the play.

Hook
Task 1. Your Highness. Write five related words or things that you can
associate with the crown.

2
mins.

1. What are your bases for the association?

2. Can you associate the words you thought of with King Oedipus? Why
or why not?

Ignite At this point, you should have read Oedipus Rex. Unlocking some unfamiliar
words can help you better understand the text.

Task 1. Mystery Words. Using context clues, choose the best definition of the
underlined word. Encircle the letter of your answer. 13
(5 points) mins.
1. Some see the graffiti as the defilement of property while others look at the
airbrushed words as an expression of art.
A. purification C. packaging
B. pollution D. perdition
2. The job of the government is to eliminate the problems which vex our
country.

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 A. target C. strain
B. trouble D. dominate
3. By nature, Sheila is a taciturn woman who keeps her thoughts to herself.
A. occupied C. reserved
B. respected D. exhorted
4. The judge adjured the witnesses to speak only the truth while testifying in
favor of the defendant.
A. requested C. questioned
B. commanded D. allowed
5. Many people believe that there should be a crackdown on those who flout
the welfare system.
A. simultaneously work C. sequentially arrange
B. consciously invoke D. intentionally disobey

Author’s Background

Sophocles (c. 496 - c. 406 BCE), one of classical Athens’ three great tragic
playwrights and poet, was born at Colonus in Attica. He is well-known for his
several major and minor dramatic innovations such as the introduction of a third
actor into the dramatic performance, the invention of pictorial prop or scene
painting to establish the locale, the introduction of a single play with three unities
of time, place and action, the increase size of the chorus from 12 to 15 members,
and the abandonment of trilogy. He wrote and produced around 120 plays
including Antigone, Women of Trachis, Oedipus at Colonus, Philoctetes, Ajax,
Electra, and greatest play, Oedipus the King (Britannica).
This tragic play represents a Sophoclean hero who takes his own route to
do what is right and to protect his people, even if it conflicts with what the gods
want.
Oedipus the King, also known as Oedipus Rex in Greek or Oedipus Tyrannos
in Latin ('Tyrannos' signifies that the throne was not gained through an
inheritance), is the most famous surviving Greek tragedy play written during the
5th century BCE. The play was the first runner up in 429 BC during the festival
of Dionysus in Athens, Greece. Oedipus comes from the Greek word “Oidípous”
which means “swollen foot”.

Task 2. Character’s Journey

In the previous module, we discussed the six elements of tragedy. Using
the given mind map, write a detailed description of Oedipus as a tragic hero.

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 ANAGNORISIS
(the moment when the hero
makes an important
discovery)

CATHARSIS
(the adience's feelings of
pity and fear)

HAMARTIA
(the hero's flawthat leads to
histragic downfall)

HUBRIS
(a hero's extreme pride and
disrespect for the natural
order of the world)

NEMESIS
(the unadvoidable fate of
the hero,usually caused by
his own hubris)

PERIPERTEIA
(the hero's experience of a
reversal of fate or fortune)

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Navigate Learning Task
A. Directions: Encircle the letter of the best answer in each of the given
question. (10 points)

1. What does the name ‘Oedipus’ mean?

A. ultimate king C. swollen foot
B. unknown destiny D. bequeath throne
12
2. What is the cause of plague in Thebes?
mins.
A. the excessive pride of the gods
B. the conspiracy being plotted against Oedipus
C. the undiscovered murderer of the old king
D. the effects of the riddle of the Sphinx
3. Where did Oedipus’ biological parents leave him for dead?
A. Colonus C. Thebes
B. Cithaeron D. Corinth
4. Why does Jocasta attempt to stop Oedipus from speaking to the shepherd?
A. She does not want to know the truth.
B. She does not want to offend the oracle.
C. She accepts the predestined fate of the people of Thebes.
D. She already knew the truth and knew that Oedipus will be destroyed..
5. Based on the selection, what punishment does Oedipus receive?
A. death C. disability
B. exile D. dethronement
6. Who became the ruler of Thebes at the end of the play?
A. Tiresias C. Eteocles
B. Polynices D. Creon
7. How does Oedipus exemplify the qualities of a true Sophoclean hero in the
play?
A. He saves Thebes from the Sphinx and leaves his throne later on.
B. He marries Jocasta and protects the people from the plague.
C. He assumes responsibility for Thebes and asks Tiresias for help.
D. He sends Creon to the oracle of Delphi and finds Laius’ murderer.
8. Which of the following characters represented the truth in the selection?
A. Creon - he consulted the oracle and remained calm at the height of
Oedipus’ accusations.
B. Tiresias - is blind yet he knows the true nature of Oedipus.
C. Jocasta - she did not believe in the prophecies of seers and took her
own life at the end.
D. Laius - because he knew the truth and tried to stop it from happening.
9. Which of the following is Oedipus’ tragic flaw?
A. arrogance C. impulsiveness
B. ambition D. passion
10. What truth about life does the play suggest?
A. Forgiveness gives you the chance to discover what you deserve.
B. Deception loses your inner core and desire for truth.
C. Knowing the truth results in painful consequences.
D. Being courageous comes with great freedom and potential.

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 Knot Summary

▪ One of the most well-known Greek tragedies is Oedipus Rex, which

tells the story of King Oedipus of Thebes.
▪ Thebes is struck by a mysterious plague that will only be lifted if the
murderer of King Laius is exiled. It was through Teiresias that Oedipus
realized he was the son mentioned in the prophecy.
▪ When they discover the truth, Oedipus and those around him have to
face the terrible consequences of his crime.
Note: This lesson will be continued in the next module. 2
mins.
References

Castro, H. M. & Reyno, S. A. (2014). Exploring Life through World

literature. Quezon City: Phoenix Publishing House, Inc.

Lapid, M. G. & Serrano, J. B. (2017). English Communication Arts and

Skills through World literature. Quezon City: Phoenix Publishing
House, Inc.

Matthews, R.T. & Platt, F.D. (2008). Readings in the Western

Humanities. New York: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Sophocles. (1912). Oedipus the King. (F. Storr, Transl.) Retrieved August 1,
2020, from http://socrates.acadiau.ca/courses/engl/rcunningham/Fall2008/
1413/pdf/OedipusRex.pdf

Taplin, O. & Woodard, T. A. (2020, February 6). Sophocles. Encyclopædia

Britannica. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/biography/

Words in a Sentence. Retrieved on 3 August 2020 from:

https://wordsinasentence.com/

a
suggested time allocation set by the teacher
b
actual time spent by the student (for information purposes only)

Prepared by: Jared P. Manalastas Reviewed: Brian Villanueva

Position: SST-II Position: SST-II
Campus: PSHS-CLC Campus: PSHS-Main Campus

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