Answer :
Final answer:
The phrase that best supports the question about the legend of Oedipus and the inference in part A is the one detailing Oedipus' realization of his actions and their consequences, underscoring the irony of his attempts to avoid his fate.
Explanation:
The question asks to identify the phrase from the text that best supports the answers to part A regarding the legend of Oedipus. The most fitting phrase is "When the shepherd finally arrives in Thebes, he confirms the story to Oedipus, leaving the king distraught and ashamed of his own faults. While attempting to escape his fate, he had done nothing but embrace it: he had killed his father and married his mother." This phrase succinctly captures the crux of Oedipus' tragic downfall, highlighting how Oedipus' efforts to avert the oracle's prophecy only led to its fulfillment. This realization aligns with the inference made in part A, emphasizing the tragic irony at the heart of the story and its themes of fate and self-discovery.
PART A: The central theme of the story of Oedipus is:
C. Fate and free will
PART B: The phrase from the text that best supports the answer to Part A is:
B. “They fight over who has the right to go first and Oedipus kills Laius in self defense, unwittingly fulfilling part of the prophecy.” (Paragraph 6)
In the story of Oedipus, the central theme revolves around the interplay between fate and free will. Oedipus, despite his best efforts to escape his destiny, ultimately fulfills the prophecy given to his parents by the Oracle of Apollo.
The prophecy foretold that Oedipus would kill his father, King Laius, and marry his mother, Queen Jocasta. Despite his attempts to avoid this fate, Oedipus unknowingly fulfills the prophecy when he encounters King Laius at the crossroads and kills him in self-defense, and later marries Jocasta, whom he believes to be a widow.
Complete Question:
1. PART A: Which of the following best identifies a central theme of the story of Oedipus?
A. Human relationships
B. Violence and war
C. Fate and free will
D. The indifference of nature
2. PART B: Which phrase from the text best supports the answers to Part A?
A. “Many years later, Oedipus is told by a dnk that Polys is not his real father but when he asks his parents, they deny it.” (Paragraph 5)
B. “They fight over who has the right to go first and Oedipus kills Laius in self-defense, unwittingly fulfilling part of the prophecy.” (Paragraph 6)
C. “Oedipus was the first to answer the riddle correctly. Having heard Oedipus’ answer, the Sphinx is astounded and inexplicably kills itself, freeing Thebes.”
(Paragraph 7)
D. “He is exiled from Thebes and spends the remainder of his life wandering the desert.” (Paragraph 9)
