That he previously saved Thebes is the reason why Thebans think that Theban King Oedipus can help at the beginning of the play 'Oedipus Rex'. No one else was able to deliver the city from the Sphinx's heavy tax burden and ravenous human appetites. No one else was able to guess the answer to the Sphinx's riddle and thereby end the Sphinx's presence and life. It's no wonder that the people of Thebes believe in Oedipus' ability to protect and save them.
People turn to Oedipus for help because he is the king and is believed to be wise. He has concern for the health of his people and for the well being of his kingdom.
End the pestilence is what the people of Thebes want Oedipus to do for them in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, children are born dead or die shortly after birth, crops are failing, and livestock are ailing. Oedipus is the King of Thebes and the victor over the monstrous Sphinx. The people of Thebes seek Oedipus' help in preventing once again the destruction of all life in their city.
That he accuses him of a crime for which the punishment is loss of job if not of life is the reason why Oedipus thinks that Teiresias is a traitor 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. Teiresias the blind prophet charges him with a crime whose victim he never remembers meeting. Killing a king is a serious offense against gods and mortals and results in execution or exile.
That they must cooperate or face punishment is the command that Oedipus issues to help the people unearth clues and criminals in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Oedipus has to find the guilty in King Laius' murder in order to end the pestilence in Thebes. He hopes to encourage cooperation with negative and positive reinforcements. Those who cooperate will receive royal rewards and thanks while those who do not will face the same punishment as Laius' killer.
It is his intelligence, problem-solving and word of honor that is Oedipus' pride and integrity in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Oedipus demonstrates intelligence in defeating the Sphinx. He evidences problem-solving abilities in organizing the investigation of King Laius' murder. He is committed to carrying out his word to end problems and help his people in his beloved city of Thebes.
People turn to Oedipus for help because he is the king and is believed to be wise. He has concern for the health of his people and for the well being of his kingdom.
End the pestilence is what the people of Thebes want Oedipus to do for them in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, children are born dead or die shortly after birth, crops are failing, and livestock are ailing. Oedipus is the King of Thebes and the victor over the monstrous Sphinx. The people of Thebes seek Oedipus' help in preventing once again the destruction of all life in their city.
That he accuses him of a crime for which the punishment is loss of job if not of life is the reason why Oedipus thinks that Teiresias is a traitor 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. Teiresias the blind prophet charges him with a crime whose victim he never remembers meeting. Killing a king is a serious offense against gods and mortals and results in execution or exile.
That they must cooperate or face punishment is the command that Oedipus issues to help the people unearth clues and criminals in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Oedipus has to find the guilty in King Laius' murder in order to end the pestilence in Thebes. He hopes to encourage cooperation with negative and positive reinforcements. Those who cooperate will receive royal rewards and thanks while those who do not will face the same punishment as Laius' killer.
It is his intelligence, problem-solving and word of honor that is Oedipus' pride and integrity in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Oedipus demonstrates intelligence in defeating the Sphinx. He evidences problem-solving abilities in organizing the investigation of King Laius' murder. He is committed to carrying out his word to end problems and help his people in his beloved city of Thebes.
Consult with Teiresias is what may help Oedipus locate the murderer's whereabouts in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Oedipus asks the chorus leader for help in identifying the guilty in King Laius' murder. The chorus leader brings up Teiresias the blind prophet. He describes Teiresias as adept at details and perception.
To help the people of Theebes.
Fellow Theban King Creon and Teiresias the blind prophet appear to be framing Theban King Oedipus to the latter's way of thinking. Oedipus makes the accusation in the course of a session with Teiresias. He doesn't like what the prophet has to say. So he decides that Teiresias is conspiring to help Creon seize royal powers all for himself.What easier way to accomplish the overthrow than by accusing the current, popular Theban king of murdering his predecessor? That's what Oedipus charges. It's ironical that Oedipus really is the albeit unknowing murder of his royal predecessor and father, Theban King Laius.The answer is Creon
Oedipus is a well-respected leader. He is a self-identified saviour, "...never doubt that I will help you / In every way I can". He is very powerful, but does not let this power make him too arrogant or self-important to aid his subjects. Consequently, the people of Thebes treat him with respect and honour, addressing him as, "Great Oedipus, O powerful king of Thebes!" An interesting line is, "...you were never / Better informed than we, nor could we teach you: / A god's touch, it seems, enabled you to help us". Oedipus' power and desire for god-like omniscience are qualities reminiscent of the gods themselves. The people of Thebes identify these qualities as signs of the gods' blessing. This is ironic because the gods, often characterized as petty, seem to feel jealous or threatened by the skill and confidence of Oedipus, leading to his doom. This curse results in Oedipus' stigma. The people still may respect their former king, but do not wish to associate themselves with him. He is shunned and banished by the gods and his people.
That Oedipus has a proven record of succeeding where others do not and that he must have divine favor are the reasons why the priest thinks that Oedipus is better able than any other individual to help Thebans in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the priest of Zeus describes Theban King Oedipus as figuring out how to defeat the Sphinx despite everyone else's failures. He refers to him as the Savior of Thebes. He says that Oedipus must be the best of humans and has the gods on his side.
Yes, Teiresias complies with Oedipus' request for help in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Oedipus asks Teiresias the blind prophet for help in finding the guilty in King Laius' murder. Teiresias initially does not want to share what he knows will anger his sovereign. But Oedipus interprets hesitation as guilty participation in the long unsolved murder. It is at that point that Teiresias tells all.
The first reaction of Teiresias the blind prophet is not to want to help Theban King Oedipus. Oedipus asks Teiresias for the help that gods and mortals aren't giving him to identify the murderer of previous Theban King Laius. Teiresias indicates that he knows of the long unsolved crime, but doesn't want to give any information. He ends up identifying Oedipus as the very murderer only after being threatened, insulted, and accused as the murder's planner, by the King.