answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

That Laius wants the three-day-old Oedipus dead and that Jocasta loves her husband but not enough to do the killing herself are the reasons why the infant Oedipus is handed over to the shepherd in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban monarchs Laius and Jocasta are told that their son will grow up to kill his father. All good royals in ancient Greece consult, but do not necessarily cooperate with, the predictions of oracles and prophets. Laius therefore demands that Jocasta kill the three-day-old infant Oedipus. Jocasta cannot disobey her beloved husband, but cannot bear to do the murderous deed herself. She in turn asks her most trusted servant, a Theban shepherd, to leave Oedipus on a mountainside and at the mercy of ravaging weather and foraging wildlife.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What is the infant Oedipus handed over to the shepherd in 'Oedipus Rex'?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Performing Arts

Who gives baby Oedipus to Polybus' messenger in 'Oedipus Rex'?

The Theban shepherd gives the baby Oedipus to Polybus' messenger in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the Theban shepherd is Theban Queen Jocasta's most trusted servant. She hands her three-day-old son, Oedipus, over to the shepherd to kill and thereby prevent Oedipus from growing up to his prophesied fate of killing his father. The shepherd then gives Oedipus to a Corinthian shepherd who fosters the infant into the childless Corinthian royal house and who later becomes Corinthian King Polybus' messenger.


Who hands the infant Oedipus over to the shepherd to be exposed in the play 'Oedipus Rex'?

Jocasta hands the infant Oedipus over to the shepherd to be exposed in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban monarchs Laius and Jocasta receive a prophecy that their son will grow up to kill his father. Laius therefore makes it clear that Jocasta must kill her three-day-old infant son Oedipus. Jocasta does not want to disobey her husband, but also does not want to carry out the deed herself. She therefore asks her most trusted servant, a Theban shepherd, to leave Oedipus exposed to the ravaging weather and scrounging wildlife on the mountains outside Thebes.


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

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.


Who raises Oedipus?

King Polybus and Queen Merope of Corinth raise subsequent Theban King Oedipus as their own son and heir.Specifically, as a three-day-old infant, Oedipus is supposed to die by exposure to the wildlife and weather outside Thebes. This measure is intended to prevent him from growing and fulfilling his unenviable fate to kill his father and marry his mother. But the shepherd who is entrusted with the task instead gives Oedipus to a fellow shepherd from Corinth. The Corinthian shepherd returns home and hands Oedipus over to the childless Corinthian monarchs.


Who or what is responsible for what happens to Oedipus in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Jocasta, Laius, Merope, and Polybusas well as the Theban and Corinthian shepherds and Oedipus himself are responsible for what happens to Oedipus in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban monarchs Laius and Jocasta are responsible for arranging for their three-day-old infant son Oedipus to be killed. They cannot do it themselves so they turn the murderous responsibility over to a Theban shepherd, who also is incapable of killing a defenseless baby. The Theban shepherd gives Oedipus to a Corinthian shepherd, who fosters Oedipus into the childless royal house. Just like everyone before them, Polybus and Merope keep quiet. Consequently, Oedipus makes the panic-stricken choices of someone who does not grasp reality and does not know who he really is.

Related questions

Who spares the infant Oedipus in 'Oedipus Rex'?

The Theban shepherd spares the infant Oedipus in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the Theban shepherd is Theban Queen Jocasta's most trusted servant. He therefore is given Jocasta's infant to dispose of when the Theban monarchs receive the prophecy that their son will grow up to kill his father. Instead, the shepherd makes the understandable but fateful choice to save Oedipus' life by handing him over to a Corinthian colleague for fostering into the childless Corinthian royal household.


Who gives baby Oedipus to Polybus' messenger in 'Oedipus Rex'?

The Theban shepherd gives the baby Oedipus to Polybus' messenger in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the Theban shepherd is Theban Queen Jocasta's most trusted servant. She hands her three-day-old son, Oedipus, over to the shepherd to kill and thereby prevent Oedipus from growing up to his prophesied fate of killing his father. The shepherd then gives Oedipus to a Corinthian shepherd who fosters the infant into the childless Corinthian royal house and who later becomes Corinthian King Polybus' messenger.


Who hands the infant Oedipus over to the shepherd to be exposed in the play 'Oedipus Rex'?

Jocasta hands the infant Oedipus over to the shepherd to be exposed in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban monarchs Laius and Jocasta receive a prophecy that their son will grow up to kill his father. Laius therefore makes it clear that Jocasta must kill her three-day-old infant son Oedipus. Jocasta does not want to disobey her husband, but also does not want to carry out the deed herself. She therefore asks her most trusted servant, a Theban shepherd, to leave Oedipus exposed to the ravaging weather and scrounging wildlife on the mountains outside Thebes.


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

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.


What is done to the baby Oedipus in 'Oedipus Rex'?

That rods are run through both his ankles and that he is abandoned and then fostered into another royal household are what happens to the baby Oedipus in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban monarchs Laius and Jocasta make the decision to have rods run through the ankles of their three-day-old infant son, Oedipus. This is preparatory to the infant being abandoned to inclement weather and foraging wildlife on the mountains outside Thebes. But Jocasta's most trusted servant, a Theban shepherd, has second thoughts and instead hands Oedipus over to a Corinthian shepherd. Upon his return to Corinth, the shepherd gives Oedipus to the childless Corinthian royal household.


Who raises Oedipus?

King Polybus and Queen Merope of Corinth raise subsequent Theban King Oedipus as their own son and heir.Specifically, as a three-day-old infant, Oedipus is supposed to die by exposure to the wildlife and weather outside Thebes. This measure is intended to prevent him from growing and fulfilling his unenviable fate to kill his father and marry his mother. But the shepherd who is entrusted with the task instead gives Oedipus to a fellow shepherd from Corinth. The Corinthian shepherd returns home and hands Oedipus over to the childless Corinthian monarchs.


How is Oedipus raised in 'Oedipus Rex'?

As the only child and heir apparent to the king is how Oedipus is raised in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban monarchs Laius and Jocasta decide to let their infant son Oedipus die from exposure rather than fulfill a prophecy that he will grow up to kill his father. Neither parent manages to do the deed so Jocasta hands Oedipus over to her most trusted servant, a Theban shepherd. But the shepherd shies from killing the baby and gives him to a Corinthian shepherd, who fosters Oedipus into the childless Corinthian royal household.


Who or what is responsible for what happens to Oedipus in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Jocasta, Laius, Merope, and Polybusas well as the Theban and Corinthian shepherds and Oedipus himself are responsible for what happens to Oedipus in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban monarchs Laius and Jocasta are responsible for arranging for their three-day-old infant son Oedipus to be killed. They cannot do it themselves so they turn the murderous responsibility over to a Theban shepherd, who also is incapable of killing a defenseless baby. The Theban shepherd gives Oedipus to a Corinthian shepherd, who fosters Oedipus into the childless royal house. Just like everyone before them, Polybus and Merope keep quiet. Consequently, Oedipus makes the panic-stricken choices of someone who does not grasp reality and does not know who he really is.


Who rescues the baby Oedipus in 'Oedipus Rex'?

The Theban and the Corinthian shepherds rescue the baby Oedipus in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Oedipus is supposed to be abandoned to ravaging weather and wildlife on the mountains outside Thebes. But the Theban shepherd who is told to leave him there has second thoughts. Instead, he hands the baby Oedipus over to a homeward bound Corinthian shepherd. Back home in Corinth, the shepherd gives Oedipus to the childless Corinthian royal couple to raise as their son and heir apparent.


How can Jocasta and Oedipus be married without knowing that they are mother and son in 'Oedipus Rex'?

That they have not been in each other's presence since infancy is the reason why Jocasta and Oedipus are married without knowing that they are mother and son in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Queen Jocasta gives her three-day-old infant son Oedipus over to her most trusted servant to kill. Unbeknownst to her, the servant hands Oedipus over to a Corinthian shepherd who gives Oedipus to the childless Corinthian royal couple. Mother and son therefore lead their lives without knowing of each other's existence.


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 does the meaning of the name Oedipus foreshadow the discovery of Oedipus' identity?

Oedipus' name means 'lame or swollen footed'. The name that's based on injury to the feet therefore foreshadows Theban King Oedipus' true nature as the discarded son of his true biological parents, Theban King Laius and Theban Queen Jocasta. An early injury to the feet has permanent effects on the appearance and the gait.Laius had been warned of his future death at the hands of his own son. He therefore told Jocasta to kill the three day old Oedipus. A rod was run through the infant's ankles to make it easier to throw him onto a hillside and die from exposure to the weather, the dogs, and the birds.But Jocasta couldn't bear to kill her own son. She instead hoped to save both her husband and her son. So she handed Oedipus over to a shepherd to raise far away from Thebes. The shepherd removed the rod. But damage to the Achilles' tendon left Oedipus with swollen ankles. It also gave him an abnormalgait.