The battle of wits and wisdom rages in Sophocles' Oedipus the King, particularly in Oedipus' discussion with Teiresias about the Sphinx's riddle. Ninth graders focus on this crucial conversation with a literary analysis instructional activity that features a group discussion about how Oedipus' past experience defines his personality and determines his fate.

Concepts

oedipus, sophocles, greek tragedies, greek dramas, figurative language, central ideas, literary themes, literary elements, supporting details

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Additional Tags

english language arts

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Instructional Ideas

• Prompt small groups to make a creative poster depicting Oedipus and the things he does not see, including textual details as evidence
• Switch up the assigned groups throughout the collaborative discussion to vary responses

Classroom Considerations

• The sixth lesson in a 20-part unit

Pros

• Guides learners through a complex topic with both discussion and written reflections
• Provides a self-assessment activity about the speaking and listening norms established in the previous lesson

Cons

• None

Common Core

RL.9-10.2 RL.9-10.4 RL.9-10.5 W.9-10.9.a SL.9-10.1.a