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In the legend of Oedipus, the chorus identifies the herdsman as a key figure who played a crucial role in the fate of Oedipus. This herdsman was originally a servant of King Laius and was tasked with abandoning the infant Oedipus on a mountainside to prevent the prophecy of him killing his father and marrying his mother from coming true. Instead, he spared the child's life and gave him to another shepherd, ultimately leading to Oedipus's rise and tragic downfall.

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What does the herdsman finally tell Oedipus in 'Oedipus Rex'?

His parents' true identity is what the herdsman finally tells Oedipus in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, there are two herdsmen. The Corinthian shepherd turned messenger reveals that Theban King Oedipus is not the biological son of Corinthian monarchs Polybus and Merope. The Theban shepherd says that Queen Jocasta is Oedipus' mother and that King Laius is his father.


What role does the herdsman play in Oedipus' past in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Saving his life, not telling and thereby giving a dreadful prophecy a chance to come true is the role that the herdsman plays in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, there are two herdsmen in the play. The Theban herdsman gives the three-day-old infant Oedipus to a Corinthian herdsman who in turn gives him to Polybus and Merope, the childless royal couple of Corinth. Years later, the Theban herdsman sees Oedipus killing Theban King Laius and four others. He then witnesses Oedipus' marriage to Laius' widow, Queen Jocasta.In both incidents, the Theban herdsman recognizes Oedipus as the abandoned infant whom he gives to his Corinthian colleague. Yet he says nothing and thereby helps Oedipus escape death once again. What is especially problematic is the way in which the herdsman's good deeds make possible the dreadful prophecy that Oedipus will kill his father and marry his mother, both of which happen because of the sparing of Oedipus' life and because of Oedipus' ignorant choices.


Who are all of the characters in 'Oedipus Rex'?

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.


What does Oedipus threaten to do to the herdsman if he doesn't confess what he knows?

Oedipus threatens to punish the herdsman severely if he does not confess what he knows about his past and the truth of his origins. He implies that he will resort to violent measures, including physical harm or exile, to compel the herdsman to reveal the information he is withholding. This threat reflects Oedipus's desperation to uncover the truth and his growing frustration with those who are reluctant to speak.


Why is the shepherd so relcutant to identify Oedipus as the child he gave to the messenger?

The shepherd is reluctant to identify Oedipus as the child he gave to the messenger because revealing Oedipus's true identity would force him to confront the tragic circumstances surrounding the child's abandonment. He fears the consequences of admitting his role in the events that led to Oedipus's fate, as it implicates him in the fulfillment of the prophecy about patricide and incest. Additionally, he is protective of Oedipus, wanting to shield him from the painful truth of his origins and the catastrophic implications of his lineage.

Related Questions

What does the herdsman finally tell Oedipus in 'Oedipus Rex'?

His parents' true identity is what the herdsman finally tells Oedipus in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, there are two herdsmen. The Corinthian shepherd turned messenger reveals that Theban King Oedipus is not the biological son of Corinthian monarchs Polybus and Merope. The Theban shepherd says that Queen Jocasta is Oedipus' mother and that King Laius is his father.


What role does the herdsman play in Oedipus' past in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Saving his life, not telling and thereby giving a dreadful prophecy a chance to come true is the role that the herdsman plays in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, there are two herdsmen in the play. The Theban herdsman gives the three-day-old infant Oedipus to a Corinthian herdsman who in turn gives him to Polybus and Merope, the childless royal couple of Corinth. Years later, the Theban herdsman sees Oedipus killing Theban King Laius and four others. He then witnesses Oedipus' marriage to Laius' widow, Queen Jocasta.In both incidents, the Theban herdsman recognizes Oedipus as the abandoned infant whom he gives to his Corinthian colleague. Yet he says nothing and thereby helps Oedipus escape death once again. What is especially problematic is the way in which the herdsman's good deeds make possible the dreadful prophecy that Oedipus will kill his father and marry his mother, both of which happen because of the sparing of Oedipus' life and because of Oedipus' ignorant choices.


Who are all of the characters in 'Oedipus Rex'?

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.


What does Oedipus threaten to do to the herdsman if he doesn't confess what he knows?

Oedipus threatens to punish the herdsman severely if he does not confess what he knows about his past and the truth of his origins. He implies that he will resort to violent measures, including physical harm or exile, to compel the herdsman to reveal the information he is withholding. This threat reflects Oedipus's desperation to uncover the truth and his growing frustration with those who are reluctant to speak.


Why is the shepherd so relcutant to identify Oedipus as the child he gave to the messenger?

The shepherd is reluctant to identify Oedipus as the child he gave to the messenger because revealing Oedipus's true identity would force him to confront the tragic circumstances surrounding the child's abandonment. He fears the consequences of admitting his role in the events that led to Oedipus's fate, as it implicates him in the fulfillment of the prophecy about patricide and incest. Additionally, he is protective of Oedipus, wanting to shield him from the painful truth of his origins and the catastrophic implications of his lineage.


Why does Jocasta try to stop Oedipus' questioning of the messenger in 'Oedipus Rex'?

That she knows what he is going to say is the reason why Jocasta attempts to stop Oedipus' questioning of the messenger in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Oedipus poses questions about his parentage to the Corinthian messenger. The messenger speaks of receiving the infant Oedipus from one of Theban King Laius' servants and fostering him into the Corinthian royal house. It is at the point that the name of Laius, her first husband, is mentioned that Queen Jocasta tries to halt the questioning by Oedipus, her second husband. That she realizes that information identifying Oedipus as her son and Laius' killer is forthcomingis the reason why Jocasta tries to end the interview.


Who tells Oedipus about his abandonment in 'Oedipus Rex'?

It is the Corinthian messenger who tells Oedipus about his abandonment in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the Corinthian messenger says that Oedipus is not Corinthian born. He states that he found Oedipus and brought him to Corinth. The messenger tells of finding the abandoned infant Oedipus outside Thebes.


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.


Who is the messenger in Oedipus?

The messenger has no name, but only brings the information from Corinth, Oedipus' childhood home, that Oedipus' adoptive father, Polybus, is dead. Oedipus is happy because he thinks Polybus is his biological father and he didn't kill him so he defied the prophecy. That is the purpose of the messenger.


Why doees jocasta ask Oedipus not to seek out the the herdsman then leave?

Jocasta asks Oedipus not to seek out the herdsman because she fears that the truth about Oedipus's origins and the prophecy will be revealed, which could lead to devastating consequences. Her desperation to protect Oedipus from the painful truth about their relationship drives her to leave. Jocasta's actions reflect her deepening anxiety and the tragic realization of their intertwined fates. Ultimately, she wishes to shield both herself and Oedipus from the horrific reality they face.


What news does the messenger bring Oedipus?

The messenger from Corinth arrives to Thebes to tell Oedipus that Oedipus' father Polybus is dead. And the people of Corinth wish Oedipus to be their new king. The messenger reveals to Oedipus that Polybus and Merope are not his real parents. He also reveals that the Shepherd gave him a baby as a gift to the King and Queen of Corinth.


What words by the messenger upset Oedipus in 'Oedipus Rex'?

That Polybus is not Oedipus' father are the Corinthian messenger's words that upset Oedipus in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the Corinthian messenger announces that Corinthian King Polybus is not Theban King Oedipus' biological father. He indicates that Oedipus is Polybus' adopted or foster son. He mentions that Oedipus is heir to the Corinthian throne even though he is not a native of the city.