Short Essay – Oedipus Sophocles “Oedipus the King” Directions: Be thorough in responding to the writing prompts (plan a minimum of 75-100 words for each question with examples from the text, where appropriate, and demonstration of academic language usage). Cite any sources, other than your opinion, that you use for analyzing these stories or for providing additional information. 1. Using your observations powers as a discerning reader, come up with a character sketch of Oedipus (that is, a description of his strong and weak qualities, with two examples of each). Back up each one with quotes or paraphrases from the play, and quote the location in which the quote is found (e.g., Prologue, Scene, Ode, etc. and line number in which the quote is found. For example, you might say Oedipus is proud, and use as an example the line “Is this your prayer? It may be answered” (Scene 1, line 1). He is proud enough to be willing to answer requests directed at the gods. (You can re-use the description of pride, but choose a new example.) Finally, proclaim whether you believe that, overall, Oedipus is a weak or strong character and why.