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That he is supposed to be put to death but that he survives are important circumstances surrounding Oedipus' birth in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban monarchs Laius and Jocasta receive the disturbing prophecy that their infant son Oedipus will grow up to kill his father. Killing a father and a sovereign is a serious offense in ancient Greece. But killing a child is not. Oedipus' parents therefore decide to have the three-day-old infant killed by exposure to weather and wildlife on the mountains outside Thebes. But neither one can do the deed and pass the killing on to Jocasta's most trusted servant. The servant bestows the baby upon a Corinthian shepherd who is going home to the childless royal court of Corinthian monarchs Polybus and Merope.

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What are the unusual circumstances of Oedipus' birth in 'Oedipus Rex'?

That he is the bearer of back luck and that he is the survivor of child abuse are the unusual circumstances of Oedipus' birth in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Oedipus is fated to kill his father. His parents, Theban monarchs Laius and Jocasta, make arrangements for him to have a rod run through both ankles and to be left exposed on the mountains outside Thebes. But Oedipus survives even though he carries the traces of murderous and mutilating abuse through his scarred and swollen ankles and his shuffling gait.


What does Teiresias mean when he says 'This day will bring your birth and your destruction' in 'Oedipus Rex'?

That Oedipus will learn the true circumstances of his birth and identity and that the knowledge will destroy him personally and professionally is what Teiresias means when he says "This day will bring your birth and your death" in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Oedipus asks for help in finding the guilty in King Laius' murder. His royal advisor Teiresias the blind prophet gives an answer that Oedipus dislikes and shows that he dislikes. Teiresias holds fast to his answer and maintains that everything that Oedipus needs to know will be known, to his own detriment.


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 role does the Messenger have in Oedipus' life history in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Contributing to Oedipus' mistaken self-image and delaying fate are the roles that the Messenger has in Oedipus' life history in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the Corinthian messenger gets the three-day-old infant Oedipus from a fellow Theban shepherd. The messenger gives Oedipus a home until he returns to Corinth. Then he hands Oedipus over to the childless royal couple, Corinthian monarchs Polybus and Merope. But he never informs Oedipus of the true circumstances of his birth. By relocating him to Corinth, he makes it possible for Oedipus to reach adulthood before realizing an inescapable fate as his father's killer and his mother's husband.


How does Oedipus know that he can trust the shepherd?

Oedipus trusts the shepherd due to his role in the past events surrounding his birth and the revelation of his origins. The shepherd is the only one left who can confirm the truth about Oedipus's lineage, having been the one to save him as an infant. Additionally, the shepherd's emotional reaction when confronted about the truth indicates his integrity and willingness to reveal what he knows. This combination of personal history and the shepherd's demeanor leads Oedipus to believe he can rely on him for the truth.

Related Questions

What are the unusual circumstances of Oedipus' birth in 'Oedipus Rex'?

That he is the bearer of back luck and that he is the survivor of child abuse are the unusual circumstances of Oedipus' birth in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Oedipus is fated to kill his father. His parents, Theban monarchs Laius and Jocasta, make arrangements for him to have a rod run through both ankles and to be left exposed on the mountains outside Thebes. But Oedipus survives even though he carries the traces of murderous and mutilating abuse through his scarred and swollen ankles and his shuffling gait.


What does Teiresias mean when he says 'This day will bring your birth and your destruction' in 'Oedipus Rex'?

That Oedipus will learn the true circumstances of his birth and identity and that the knowledge will destroy him personally and professionally is what Teiresias means when he says "This day will bring your birth and your death" in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Oedipus asks for help in finding the guilty in King Laius' murder. His royal advisor Teiresias the blind prophet gives an answer that Oedipus dislikes and shows that he dislikes. Teiresias holds fast to his answer and maintains that everything that Oedipus needs to know will be known, to his own detriment.


Who is Oedipus's wife?

his birth mother


Who is Oedipus's' wife?

his birth mother


What details do the Gospels provide about the circumstances surrounding Jesus' birth?

The Gospels provide details about Jesus' birth, including the virgin birth of Mary, the visit of the Magi, the journey to Bethlehem, and the birth in a manger because there was no room at the inn.


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 role does the Messenger have in Oedipus' life history in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Contributing to Oedipus' mistaken self-image and delaying fate are the roles that the Messenger has in Oedipus' life history in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the Corinthian messenger gets the three-day-old infant Oedipus from a fellow Theban shepherd. The messenger gives Oedipus a home until he returns to Corinth. Then he hands Oedipus over to the childless royal couple, Corinthian monarchs Polybus and Merope. But he never informs Oedipus of the true circumstances of his birth. By relocating him to Corinth, he makes it possible for Oedipus to reach adulthood before realizing an inescapable fate as his father's killer and his mother's husband.


How does Oedipus know that he can trust the shepherd?

Oedipus trusts the shepherd due to his role in the past events surrounding his birth and the revelation of his origins. The shepherd is the only one left who can confirm the truth about Oedipus's lineage, having been the one to save him as an infant. Additionally, the shepherd's emotional reaction when confronted about the truth indicates his integrity and willingness to reveal what he knows. This combination of personal history and the shepherd's demeanor leads Oedipus to believe he can rely on him for the truth.


Is it his birth or adoptive father that Oedipus was supposed to kill in the play 'Oedipus Rex'?

It is his birth father that Oedipus is supposed to kill in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, a prophet tells Theban monarchs Laius and Jocasta that their son, Oedipus, will grow up to kill his father. As a young man, Oedipus goes to Delphi to consult the Pythia, ancient Greece's foremost oracle. He gets the disturbing news that he will grow up to kill his father and marry his mother. It therefore appears to be a prophecy about Oedipus' birth not adoptive father.


Which is true Oedipus is Creon's son?

Oedipus is not Creon's son. Creon is the brother of Jocasta, who both gave birth to Oedipus and married him. So he is Oedipus' uncle/brother-in-law, but he's not his father. His father is Laios.


What does status of birth mean?

The status of birth refers to the circumstances surrounding an individual's birth, including factors such as the legal recognition of the birth, the conditions under which the birth occurred, and the social or cultural implications associated with it. It can encompass aspects like legitimacy (whether a child is born to married parents), citizenship status, and the rights and privileges that accompany these factors. Understanding one's status of birth is important for legal identity and may influence access to resources and opportunities throughout life.


Who are Oedipus' birth parents?

King Lauis, and Queen Jocasta of Thebes.