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That Oedipus has a proven record of succeeding where others do not and that he must have divine favor are the reasons why the priest thinks that Oedipus is better able than any other individual to help Thebans in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, the priest of Zeus describes Theban King Oedipus as figuring out how to defeat the Sphinx despite everyone else's failures. He refers to him as the Savior of Thebes. He says that Oedipus must be the best of humans and has the gods on his side.

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Q: Why does the priest think that Oedipus is better able to help Thebans than any other in 'Oedipus Rex'?
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How do the Thebans show love and respect to Oedipus as their king?

It's clear that Theban citizens love and respect Oedipus as their King, because of the Priest's actions and comments in the Prologue to 'Oedipus Rex'. For example, the Priest sets up his sacrificial altar in front of Oedipus' palatial home. He also conveys the citizens' requests for Oedipus' help in ending the plague. Additionally, he reminds Oedipus of previously successful feats of valor against other challenges, such as the Sphinx. Specifically, he addresses Oedipus as 'most powerful in all men's eyes'.


Why does the priest think Oedipus better able to help Thebes than any other individual in 'Oedipus Rex'?

That Oedipus succeeds where other mortals do not and that he benefits from divine favor are the reasons why the priest thinks Oedipus better able than any other individual to help Thebes in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the priest of Zeus gives the example of Theban King Oedipus' victory over the monstrous Sphinx. Without any more experience or expertise than any one else, Oedipus alone figures out the correct answer to the deadly riddle posed by the Sphinx to all who enter or leave Thebes. The priest therefore concludes that Oedipus is foremost among mortals and favored by the gods.


How does Oedipus' race affect his relationship with the other characters in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Race is not a factor in Oedipus' relationships with other characters in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the play's characters are all Greeks. Everyone except Teiresias and the Theban shepherd initially believe Oedipus to be Corinthian born and bred. But his status as a supposed non-native does not jeopardize any interaction. In fact, the entire city loves Oedipus for saving them from the monstrous Sphinx's huge appetite for freshly killed Thebans.


Who is killed in 'Antigone'?

Fighting Thebans, invading Argives, and Oedipus' two sonsare killed in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. -- 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, a battle takes place before the action of the play and is referenced throughout by the main characters. In that battle, disloyal Thebans led by Polyneices and supported by invading forces from Argos as well as Thebans loyal to Eteocles kill each other off. In the course of the play, three more deaths occur. But each one is a suicide: Princess Antigone, Prince Haemon and Queen Eurydice.


What advantages does Oedipus have in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Those of royal birth, native intelligence and divine favor are the advantages that Oedipus has in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Oedipus is the presumed son and heir apparent to Corinthian monarchs Polybus and Merope. He figures out how to defeat the monstrous Sphinx when all other mortals fail. He marries into the royal house of Thebes and has a family life with a loving wife and four children that is a role model for all Thebans. He therefore owes his personal happiness and professional success to a combination of the advantages of birth, the application of his own abilities, and the help of the gods.

Related questions

How do the Thebans show love and respect to Oedipus as their king?

It's clear that Theban citizens love and respect Oedipus as their King, because of the Priest's actions and comments in the Prologue to 'Oedipus Rex'. For example, the Priest sets up his sacrificial altar in front of Oedipus' palatial home. He also conveys the citizens' requests for Oedipus' help in ending the plague. Additionally, he reminds Oedipus of previously successful feats of valor against other challenges, such as the Sphinx. Specifically, he addresses Oedipus as 'most powerful in all men's eyes'.


Why does the priest think Oedipus better able to help Thebes than any other individual in 'Oedipus Rex'?

That Oedipus succeeds where other mortals do not and that he benefits from divine favor are the reasons why the priest thinks Oedipus better able than any other individual to help Thebes in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the priest of Zeus gives the example of Theban King Oedipus' victory over the monstrous Sphinx. Without any more experience or expertise than any one else, Oedipus alone figures out the correct answer to the deadly riddle posed by the Sphinx to all who enter or leave Thebes. The priest therefore concludes that Oedipus is foremost among mortals and favored by the gods.


Does Oedipus have any other names in 'Oedipus Rex'?

No, Oedipus does not have any other names in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Oedipus bears his name because it refers to his swollen feet. It is unknown what name his biological parents, Theban monarchs Laius and Jocasta, have in mind for him since they arrange to have him killed when he is just three days old. Otherwise, Thebans name him the savior of Thebes for defeating the invincible Sphinx.


How does Oedipus' race affect his relationship with the other characters in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Race is not a factor in Oedipus' relationships with other characters in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the play's characters are all Greeks. Everyone except Teiresias and the Theban shepherd initially believe Oedipus to be Corinthian born and bred. But his status as a supposed non-native does not jeopardize any interaction. In fact, the entire city loves Oedipus for saving them from the monstrous Sphinx's huge appetite for freshly killed Thebans.


What are paraphrases of the name Oedipus in 'Oedipus Rex'?

The Corinthian prince, the man with swollen feet, and the savior of Thebes are paraphrases of the name Oedipus in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the term paraphrase describes a restatement in other words. Theban King Oedipus is the Corinthian prince because he and Thebans believe him to be a Corinthian royal born and bred. He also is the man with the swollen feet, which is the meaning of his name and his most significant physical aspect. Additionally, Oedipus may be called the savior of Thebes since his most significant deed is defeating the invincible Sphinx.


Who is killed in 'Antigone'?

Fighting Thebans, invading Argives, and Oedipus' two sonsare killed in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. -- 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, a battle takes place before the action of the play and is referenced throughout by the main characters. In that battle, disloyal Thebans led by Polyneices and supported by invading forces from Argos as well as Thebans loyal to Eteocles kill each other off. In the course of the play, three more deaths occur. But each one is a suicide: Princess Antigone, Prince Haemon and Queen Eurydice.


What advantages does Oedipus have in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Those of royal birth, native intelligence and divine favor are the advantages that Oedipus has in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Oedipus is the presumed son and heir apparent to Corinthian monarchs Polybus and Merope. He figures out how to defeat the monstrous Sphinx when all other mortals fail. He marries into the royal house of Thebes and has a family life with a loving wife and four children that is a role model for all Thebans. He therefore owes his personal happiness and professional success to a combination of the advantages of birth, the application of his own abilities, and the help of the gods.


What does the first ode mean in 'Oedipus Rex'?

A call for divine favor is what the first ode means in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the chorus offers the first ode after Theban King Oedipus' interactions with the priest of Zeus and his brother-in-law and royal colleague, Creon. The priest says that a pestilence afflicts Thebes, and Creon has the solution suggested by the Delphic oracle. The chorus members welcome intervention by any god other than Ares the war god.


By what other title is 'Oedipus Rex' known?

In Greek it is known as Oedipus Tyrannos. But the title should only be 'Oedipus'


What are two other names for 'Oedipus the King'?

"Oedipus Rex" and "Oedipus Tyrannus" are two other names for the play "Oedipus the King" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the original name of the play is "Oedipus Tyrannus." The literal English translation is "Oedipus the Tyrant." But the English translation instead is a literal translation of the play's name in Latin, "Oedipus Rex."


Is Oedipus exiled with his children in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Yes, Antigone accompanies Oedipus in exile after "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the audience does not know whether or not Oedipus is punished with execution or exile at the play's end. But from other sources, such as "Oedipus at Colonus" by the same ancient Greek dramatist, the audience learns that Oedipus is punished with exile and that the exile is shared with his elder daughter, Princess Antigone. According to other sources, Oedipus and Antigone also are accompanied by the disgraced king's younger daughter Ismene.


What is the exposition in the Oedipus rex?

The exposition is a setting forth of the story. It literally means 'putting out'. The English word traces its roots back to the combination of the preposition 'ex', which means 'out'; and the infinitive 'ponere', which means 'to place'.In 'Oedipus Rex', the exposition begins at the play's very beginning, with Oedipus meeting the suppliants at the altar. It ends when the priest leads the Theban citizens off stage and the chorus arrives.In between the beginning and the end, the audience learns that Thebans are asking Theban King Oedipus to save their city from pestilence. The audience also learns that the pestilence is caused by a polluting stain. That stain only can be removed with the killer[s] of previous Theban King Laius being found and punished with execution or exile. The search thus far is hindered by a lack of witnesses other than the sole Survivor of Laius' royal party. According to the survivor, the search needs to be oriented towards tracking down a gang of robbers. Oedipus therefore fears a similar fate for himself and wants a general assembly of the Theban people to be called to start the search again in earnest.