Oedipus Rex
Oedipus Rex
Sophocles, 496-406 B.C.
Main Characters
Oedipus - The story revolves around Oedipus and his search for the cause of the blight on his city finding it to be himself.
Iocaste - Iocaste is Oedipus’ wife and mother who was very supportive of Oedipus’ search of the truth until she found out that she was part of that truth when she committed suicide.
Creon - Creon, Iocaste’s brother, helps Oedipus find the murderer, but when the truth begins to come out through Teiresias, Oedipus believes that Creon is trying to overthrow him.
Teiresias - He is a blind prophet who knows the truth but doesn’t want to tell Oedipus but does so after being forced to, however, Oedipus does not believe him.
Minor Characters
Laios - Although he never physically appears in the play, he is the one that is murdered and his story is told during the search of his murderer.
Shepherd - This is the man that gave Oedipus to another shepherd who gave Oedipus to Polybos. This man later told Oedipus without a doubt that Oedipus was actually Laios son, his murderer, and Iocaste’s son.
Settings
Oedipus’ palace in Thebes - The entire play takes place here where people come and go revealing parts of the complete story.
Corinth - The city where Oedipus grew up with the people he thought to be his parents.
Iocaste’s room - Although not actually shown on stage, Iocaste committed suicide and Oedipus gouges out his eyes here.
Plot
The city of thebes is suffering and Oedipus the king wants to know why. Creon is sent to ask the oracle and Teiresius, a prophet is sent for. The oracle says that the murderer of Laios must be found and punished so Oedipus proclaimed that he would do everything he could to find the murderer. Teiresius says that the murderer is Oedipus, but Oedipus does not believe him. Oedipus charges Creon of sending the prophet to overthrow him. Oedipus tells Iocaste of his leaving Corinth. He tells her that it was prophesied that he would kill his father
Sophocles, 496-406 B.C.
Main Characters
Oedipus - The story revolves around Oedipus and his search for the cause of the blight on his city finding it to be himself.
Iocaste - Iocaste is Oedipus’ wife and mother who was very supportive of Oedipus’ search of the truth until she found out that she was part of that truth when she committed suicide.
Creon - Creon, Iocaste’s brother, helps Oedipus find the murderer, but when the truth begins to come out through Teiresias, Oedipus believes that Creon is trying to overthrow him.
Teiresias - He is a blind prophet who knows the truth but doesn’t want to tell Oedipus but does so after being forced to, however, Oedipus does not believe him.
Minor Characters
Laios - Although he never physically appears in the play, he is the one that is murdered and his story is told during the search of his murderer.
Shepherd - This is the man that gave Oedipus to another shepherd who gave Oedipus to Polybos. This man later told Oedipus without a doubt that Oedipus was actually Laios son, his murderer, and Iocaste’s son.
Settings
Oedipus’ palace in Thebes - The entire play takes place here where people come and go revealing parts of the complete story.
Corinth - The city where Oedipus grew up with the people he thought to be his parents.
Iocaste’s room - Although not actually shown on stage, Iocaste committed suicide and Oedipus gouges out his eyes here.
Plot
The city of thebes is suffering and Oedipus the king wants to know why. Creon is sent to ask the oracle and Teiresius, a prophet is sent for. The oracle says that the murderer of Laios must be found and punished so Oedipus proclaimed that he would do everything he could to find the murderer. Teiresius says that the murderer is Oedipus, but Oedipus does not believe him. Oedipus charges Creon of sending the prophet to overthrow him. Oedipus tells Iocaste of his leaving Corinth. He tells her that it was prophesied that he would kill his father