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That he is handed the three-day-old infant Oedipus and that he in turn hands the child over toPolybus are the reasons why the Corinthian messenger knows that Polybus is not Oedipus' father in "Oedipus the King" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, the Corinthian messenger is tending his flock on the mountains outside Thebes. A Theban shepherd gives him a three-day-old infant that the royal household abandons and wants to have killed. The Corinthian decides to give the child to Polybus and Merope, the childless royal couple of Corinth. That child subsequently becomes Theban King Oedipus.

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Q: How does the messenger know that Polybus is not Oedipus' father in 'Oedipus Rex'?
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How does the messenger know that Polybus was not Oedipus' father?

The messenger knows because He was given Oedipus from another Shepard that knew the true story of Oedipus' birth.


What news does the Messenger bring from Oedipus' homeland and why does it relieve Jocasta in 'Oedipus Rex'?

That Polybus is dead is the news that the Messenger brings from Oedipus' homeland and that the death is from natural causes is the reason why Jocasta is relived in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Oedipus fears his fate as his father's killer. But the Corinthian messenger lets Oedipus' wife Queen Jocasta know that Oedipus' presumed father, King Polybus, is dead from illness and old age. Jocasta welcomes the news since Oedipus is far away in Thebes and therefore cannot be said to bring about his father's death in Corinth.


What news does the corinthian messenger announce?

That Polybus is dead is the news that the Messenger brings from Oedipus' homeland and that the death is from natural causes is the reason why Jocasta is relived in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Oedipus fears his fate as his father's killer. But the Corinthian messenger lets Oedipus' wife Queen Jocasta know that Oedipus' presumed father, King Polybus, is dead from illness and old age. Jocasta welcomes the news since Oedipus is far away in Thebes and therefore cannot be said to bring about his father's death in Corinth.


How does the messenger know what he does about Oedipus?

Knowing Oedipus in Thebes and in Corinth is how the messenger knows what he does about the Theban King. Long ago, the messenger works as a shepherd in Thebes. Heis entrusted with Oedipus' care by a fellow shepherd who's supposed to leave the three day old baby to die. The messenger takes Oedipus back to Corinth with him. He gives the baby to the childless Corinthian monarchs, King Polybus and Queen Merope.That's why the messenger knows that Oedipus is the adopted son of the Corinthian monarchs. That also is why he knows that a man who's fated to kill his father and marry his mother safely can go back to Corinth. And that's why he knows that Oedipus' real hometown is Thebes.


Who is Oedipus' father?

Theban King Laius is Theban King Oedipus' father. But Oedipus doesn't know this critical piece of information when the play 'Oedipus Rex' begins. Instead, he believes himself to be the son and heir apparent of King Polybus and Queen Merope of Corinth.

Related questions

How does the messenger know that Polybus was not Oedipus' father?

The messenger knows because He was given Oedipus from another Shepard that knew the true story of Oedipus' birth.


Whom does Oedipus believe to be his father in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Polybus is the person that Oedipus believes is his father in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.)Specifically, King Polybus of Corinth is the only father figure that Theban King Oedipus remembers being around. But the Corinthian messenger who brings news of Polybus' death becomes the second person in the know to tell Oedipus that Polybus is not his biological father. That is news to Oedipus, who grows up feeling greatly loved by the Corinthian monarch.


What news does the Messenger bring from Oedipus' homeland and why does it relieve Jocasta in 'Oedipus Rex'?

That Polybus is dead is the news that the Messenger brings from Oedipus' homeland and that the death is from natural causes is the reason why Jocasta is relived in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Oedipus fears his fate as his father's killer. But the Corinthian messenger lets Oedipus' wife Queen Jocasta know that Oedipus' presumed father, King Polybus, is dead from illness and old age. Jocasta welcomes the news since Oedipus is far away in Thebes and therefore cannot be said to bring about his father's death in Corinth.


What news does the corinthian messenger announce?

That Polybus is dead is the news that the Messenger brings from Oedipus' homeland and that the death is from natural causes is the reason why Jocasta is relived in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Oedipus fears his fate as his father's killer. But the Corinthian messenger lets Oedipus' wife Queen Jocasta know that Oedipus' presumed father, King Polybus, is dead from illness and old age. Jocasta welcomes the news since Oedipus is far away in Thebes and therefore cannot be said to bring about his father's death in Corinth.


How does the messenger know what he does about Oedipus?

Knowing Oedipus in Thebes and in Corinth is how the messenger knows what he does about the Theban King. Long ago, the messenger works as a shepherd in Thebes. Heis entrusted with Oedipus' care by a fellow shepherd who's supposed to leave the three day old baby to die. The messenger takes Oedipus back to Corinth with him. He gives the baby to the childless Corinthian monarchs, King Polybus and Queen Merope.That's why the messenger knows that Oedipus is the adopted son of the Corinthian monarchs. That also is why he knows that a man who's fated to kill his father and marry his mother safely can go back to Corinth. And that's why he knows that Oedipus' real hometown is Thebes.


Who is Oedipus' father?

Theban King Laius is Theban King Oedipus' father. But Oedipus doesn't know this critical piece of information when the play 'Oedipus Rex' begins. Instead, he believes himself to be the son and heir apparent of King Polybus and Queen Merope of Corinth.


What news does corinthian messenger announced?

The Corinthian messenger announces the news of King Polybus's death in Sophocles' play "Oedipus Rex." This news ultimately leads Oedipus to discover the truth about his own identity and the prophecy that he would kill his father and marry his mother.


How does Oedipus know the truth in 'Oedipus Rex'?

It is from the Corinthian messenger and the Theban shepherd that Oedipus knows the truth in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, it is true that King Oedipus is not the biological son of Corinthian monarchs Polybus and Merope. It is true that Oedipus is the killer of Theban King Laius, not of some random stranger, during a street brawl over the right of way at a fateful crossroads. But Oedipus does not know the first truth until he interviews the Corinthian messenger and the Theban shepherd. He does not know the second until the Theban shepherd confirms that Theban monarchs Laius and Jocasta are Oedipus' biological parents.


How do the shepherd and the messenger know each other in Oedipus the King?

When Oedipus was exposed on the mountain as a baby in an effort to thwart the prophecy that he would one day kill his father and marry his mother, the shepherd gave him to the messenger who then brought him back to the people Oedipus believed to be his parents.


Who is the servant who spares the child in 'Oedipus Rex'?

The servant who spares the child in 'Oedipus Rex' is the first shepherd. He also is the sole survivor of the street brawl that kills every other member in the royal party of his sovereign, Theban King Laius. The child is the three-day-old infant, the subsequent Theban King Oedipus.The servant ends up giving the baby to a second shepherd who's a native of Corinth. That second shepherd later becomes a messenger. In that capacity, he travels to Thebes to tell Oedipus of the death of Corinthian King Polybus. Polybus and his wife, Corinthian Queen Merope, raised Oedipus as their own and as their heir apparent. Upon Polybus' death, the messenger lets Oedipus know that Queen Merope survives and that the people of Corinth want him as their king.


What even was happening when Oedipus was confronted by the drunk in Corinth?

Do you mean the chariot thing before Oedipus became king of Thebes? If so, the drunk guy was his actual father Laius. Because Oedipus wouldn't get out of Laius' way, Laius ran over him with his chariot. Oedipus got mad and killed him. But, since Oedipus didn't know who Laius was, he had no idea that he had killed his father (since he thought his Corinthian adoptive father Polybus was his biological father). Ironically, he was leaving home so he wouldn't kill his father. I hope that helps :)


Why does Oedipus kill his father and marry his mother in 'Oedipus Rex'?

That he does not know that he is their son is the reason why Oedipus kills his father and marries his mother in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Oedipus hears the prophecy that he will kill his father and marry his mother. He is correct in thinking that he is royal born and bred. But he is wrong in thinking that he is the son of Corinthian monarchs Polybus and Merope. This mistaken self-identity causes him not to restrain himself when he kills someone other than his presumed father and marry an older woman other than his presumed mother.