Cleobulina and the Enigma of the Sphinx

Compare the riddle of Cleobulina, a didactic poet and author of enigmas and a contemporary of Sappho (7th century BC) with the riddle of the Sphinx and answer the questions surrounding the mythological character of Oedipus.

1.- Read the two riddles, the one by Cleobulina and the one by Sphinx, and try to give an answer.

a.- The father is one, the sons twelve and each of these 

has twice thirty daughters of features twain;

some are white and others are black, 

and though they be immortal they all perish.

b.- Which creature walks on four legs in the morning, on two legs at midday and on three legs at night?

2.- Which character appearing in the ceramics manages to give an answer to the riddle?

 
https://arte.laguia2000.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Oedipus-Sphinx.jpg 

3.- In view of the ceramic painting, point out the three characteristics of the sphinx.

4.- Look at these two sculptures and indicate which one is a Greek sphinx and which one is Egyptian. Point out the differences and deduce which of them will be destructive and which will be beneficial.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/20/028MAD_Sphinx.jpg

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e6/Great_Sphinx_of_Tanis.jpg

5.- Read the story about Oedipus in this link and answer.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Oedipus-Greek-mythology

a.-  What prize did Oedipus receive?

b.-  What were the consequences?

6.- What is the Oedipus complex?

7.- Relate the figure of Oedipus and other heroes to the myth to which they belong.

Achilles                                   The Twelve Labours 

Oedipus                                  The Argonauts  

Jason                                      Theban cycle

Heracles                                 Trojan cycle

8.- Relate these heroes with the monstrous beings they have defeated.

Theseus                                              Gorgon

Ulysses                                               Minotaur

Perseus                                               Cyclops

Bellerophon                                       Chimera

-From these hero and monster pairs, choose one, look up information and write a short story about their adventure.