Zeus does not play much of a role. Instead, the Greek god Apollo, god of light, plays the major role.
King is Oedipus' role in the beginning of "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Oedipus is the king of Thebes. He lives in the Theban royal palace. But he makes frequent trips outside to interact with his beloved people.
Oedipus's recognition of the role he played in his own downfall reflects the worldview that our actions play a role in controlling our destinies.
"Rex" is Latin for "King". Oedipus Rex means "Oedipus the King".
It is as the wisest of men that the priest describes Oedipus in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the priest of Zeus characterizes Theban King Oedipus as the savior of Thebes. He describes Oedipus as divinely favored in wisdom. He gives an example Oedipus' defeat of the seemingly invincible Sphinx.
Thebes is the setting of Oedipus Rex because it is the place where the story begins.
'King' is an English equivalent of 'Rex' in the play 'Oedipus Rex'.
That a pestilence afflicts Thebes and that Oedipus can end it is what the priest says to Oedipus in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the priest of Zeus has absolute faith in Theban King Oedipus as the ultimate problem-solver. He explains that Oedipus has two things going for him. In fact, he describes Oedipus as the best of men and the most favored by the gods.
Oedipus talking to the priest of Zeus and citizens of Thebes is what happens first in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. -- 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the priest and Thebans are gathered around altars set up outside the main entrance to the royal Palace of Thebes. Oedipus steps outside. Oedipus makes clear in what he says that he speaks to everyone present. But in terms of asking questions and reacting to statements, Oedipus interacts with the priest of Zeus.
Goddess of wisdom is who Athena is in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Athena's name appears in the first choral ode at the end of Theban King Oedipus' interactions with the priest of Zeus and Creon. She is described as a daughter of Zeus the chief god. She also is mentioned as the sister of Artemis the beautiful goddess of the hunt.
That there is pestilence in Thebes is what Oedipus learns at the beginning of "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Oedipus comes out of the palace. He finds altars set up and suppliants gathered around a priest of Zeus. He is informed of the pestilence, about which he already knows through his own means.
Death, disease, famine and pestilence are what the priest of Zeus tells Oedipus about the plague in Thebes in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the priest points to the declining birth rate due to the delivery of stillborn children and infants who die shortly after birth. The livestock are diseased and dying. The crops are diseased, and the harvests are failing.
The complete list of characters in 'Oedipus Rex' includes Oedipus, a priest of Zeus, Creon, Teiresias, Jocasta, a messenger, a herdsman, and the chorus of Theban elders. Theban King Oedipus is the husband of his own mother, Theban Queen Jocasta. Creon is Jocasta's brother, and both the brother-in-law and the uncle of Oedipus. Teiresias is a blind prophet.