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That the gods disdain mortals as poor relatives, that they curse the royal house of Thebes and that they are angry that Oedipus does not follow proper procedure are the reasons why the gods are so nasty to Oedipus in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, gods and mortals descend from Gaia, the original mother goddess. But the gods are eternal, do not like to share, and look down on mortals as poor relatives. Additionally, they seek to destroy the royal house of Thebes even though the city's founding king Cadmus is the grandson of one of their own, Poseidon the sea god. Furthermore, it does not help Oedipus' case that he disrespects the gods by neglecting mandatory purification procedures after killing five people and trying to escape an unenviable fate.

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Q: Why are the gods so nasty to Oedipus in 'Oedipus Rex'?
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What is Creon's religion in 'Oedipus Rex' and 'Antigone'?

Polytheistic belief in Olympic gods is Creon's religion in the plays "Oedipus Rex" and "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the term polytheism describes the belief in many gods. The description fits the religious beliefs that Creon is assumed to hold regarding the ancient Greek gods of Mount Olympus. Creon seems more religious in "Oedipus Rex" and less so in "Antigone."


Who is Teiresias and why does he appear in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Teiresias is a blind elderwho has the gift of prophecy. He recognizes the true character of others, and is able to predict the future. He appears in 'Oedipus Rex', because his presence and his talents are requested by Theban King Oedipus. Oedipus is desperate to end the suffering of his city and his people. He can't get a straight answer from the oracles, the gods, or his fellow Thebans. So he turns to Teiresias, who is a straightforward and skilled team member.


What do the priests of Thebes tell Oedipus to do in 'Oedipus Rex'?

To bring an end to the failing harvests, declining birth rate and ailing livestock is what the high priest of Thebes asks Oedipus to do in the play "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. -- 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the priest considers Oedipus a savvy ruler who successfully makes it up as he goes along. According to him, Oedipus is adept at figuring things out on his own or getting good advice from the gods and his peers. So there is no reason why Oedipus cannot get Thebes through its latest crisis ... or so the priest assumes.


Why does Oedipus speak to teiresias so disrepectfully?

using context clues define calumny in Oedipus rex


What does the chorus of 'Oedipus Rex' want the gods to do?

The chorus of 'Oedipus Rex' wants the gods to save their city of Thebes from the plague. But they don't want a military solution to the crisis. In fact, they specify that the war god Ares' presence and input are unwelcome. They even go so far as to welcome the wine god Bacchus' getting soldiers too drunk to be able to carry out any military intervention on Ares' behalf.

Related questions

What is Creon's religion in 'Oedipus Rex' and 'Antigone'?

Polytheistic belief in Olympic gods is Creon's religion in the plays "Oedipus Rex" and "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the term polytheism describes the belief in many gods. The description fits the religious beliefs that Creon is assumed to hold regarding the ancient Greek gods of Mount Olympus. Creon seems more religious in "Oedipus Rex" and less so in "Antigone."


Who is Teiresias and why does he appear in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Teiresias is a blind elderwho has the gift of prophecy. He recognizes the true character of others, and is able to predict the future. He appears in 'Oedipus Rex', because his presence and his talents are requested by Theban King Oedipus. Oedipus is desperate to end the suffering of his city and his people. He can't get a straight answer from the oracles, the gods, or his fellow Thebans. So he turns to Teiresias, who is a straightforward and skilled team member.


What do the priests of Thebes tell Oedipus to do in 'Oedipus Rex'?

To bring an end to the failing harvests, declining birth rate and ailing livestock is what the high priest of Thebes asks Oedipus to do in the play "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. -- 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the priest considers Oedipus a savvy ruler who successfully makes it up as he goes along. According to him, Oedipus is adept at figuring things out on his own or getting good advice from the gods and his peers. So there is no reason why Oedipus cannot get Thebes through its latest crisis ... or so the priest assumes.


Why does Oedipus speak to teiresias so disrepectfully?

using context clues define calumny in Oedipus rex


What does the chorus of 'Oedipus Rex' want the gods to do?

The chorus of 'Oedipus Rex' wants the gods to save their city of Thebes from the plague. But they don't want a military solution to the crisis. In fact, they specify that the war god Ares' presence and input are unwelcome. They even go so far as to welcome the wine god Bacchus' getting soldiers too drunk to be able to carry out any military intervention on Ares' behalf.


What does Oedipus say that he will do now that the truth is known in 'Oedipus Rex'?

That he will live out his life away from human contact is what Oedipus says he will do now that the truth is known in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Oedipus learns that the truth of his identity and existence is that of one who kills his father, marries his mother, and fathers children who are his own half-siblings. All of these actions are offensive to the gods and to mortals. So Oedipus says that he wants to spend whatever life he has left on earth in the mountains outside Thebes, away from family, friends and people.


Where was 'Oedipus Rex' performed?

The first performances of the play 'Oedipus Rex' were in ancient Greece. But the play is considered a classic of literature, a perfect example of tragedy. So by now, it has been performed worldwide.


Is there freewill in Oedipus Rex?

Freewill is not really a theme in this play, but rather it is about fate. It was predetermined that Oedipus would kill his father and marry his mother - even before he was born it was revealed to his parents by the oracle. It would have come about one way or another because it was his fate and the will of the gods and so on.


Is Oedipus an innocent victim of an unjust fate in 'Oedipus Rex'?

No, Oedipus is not an innocent victim of an unjust fate in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.). Specifically, Theban King Oedipus hears that he is fated to be his father's killer and his mother's husband. The fate is unjust. But Oedipus makes panic stricken choices that make possible the very fate that he so seeks to avoid.


Does Jocasta die before or after Oedipus blinds himself in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Jocasta diesbefore Oedipus blinds himself in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.E.C.).Specifically, Theban Queen Jocasta realizes first that Theban King Oedipus is not only her husband but also her son and the half-brother of their children. Incest is a blasphemous offense against the gods, and so Jocasta goes into the royal palace to kill herself. Shortly afterward, Oedipus realizes his true self-identity, goes into the palace, and finds Jocasta's body hanging from a noose made of the threads from her own robes.


Does Oedipus have superhuman qualities in 'Oedipus Rex'?

No, Oedipus does not have superhuman qualities in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Oedipus descends from Poseidon the sun god. But he is a mortal who just so happens to put his human powers to the best use. He receives the best of royal training and knows how to work his brains.


Why does Oedipus' family have so many troubles in 'Oedipus Rex'?

That they are cursed by the gods is the reason why Oedipus' family has so many troubles in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Oedipus is the great-great-grandson of Thebes' Founder King Cadmus. Even though he is the grandson of Poseidon the sea god, Cadmus is cursed for among other things seeing Athena the goddess of wisdom in her bath. Cadmus' son Polydorus and grandson Labdacus get on the divine hate list for descending from Cadmus and for irritating Dionysos the wine god, Cadmus' nephew. More curses are added with each generation so the ill will is at its maximum by the time Oedipus is born into his divinely cursed existence.