This online interactive activity contains two multiple-choice questions on Greek mythology: “What is Greek Mythology” and “Why do you think the Greeks believed that the gods dwell on Mt. Olympus.”

The next activity introduces an adapted story of King Oedipus with following questions.

The story of Oedipus is a short, one-page version. It follows Oedipus’ abandonment by Laius, due to the prophecy and the later killing of Laius by Oedipus. It also narrates the story of the Sphinx and Oedipus later realization that he killed his father and married his mother, who commits suicide. The incest theme is not emphasized but almost casually introduced as part of Oedipus’ acting unknowingly. Oedipus only discovers what he did after a plague erupts in Thebes and the gods proclaim that the murderer of Laius was not punished.

The text and exercises can take up to half an hour.

This activity enables the students to deal with a more difficult story as part of understating the meaning of ancient Greek tragedy. The story might make some children feel uncomfortable due to the incest and suicide, however Oedipus’ tragic mistake regarding his parents is explained as a result of his ignorance. Oedipus made an honest yet fatal mistake throughout the story. The adapted story’s source is cited as Sophocles, thus the children can also discover more about the famous dramatist.