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A complete contradiction of how he sees himself is why Theban King Oedipus doesn't understand the information that Teiresias the blind prophet gives. Teiresias says that Oedipus is the very person that's being sought for the unsolved murder of Theban King Laius. Oedipus thinks that he never met his royal predecessor. So how can he have killed someone he never knew?

Teiresias also says that the life of the royal family isn't as it seems. Oedipus considers himself happily married to Theban Queen Jocasta, whose husband was Laius. He's fated to kill his father and marry his own mother. He thinks that he has won against fate by settling down in Thebes. That's because he thinks that he's a Corinthian, and the son of Corinthian King Polybus and Queen Merope.

But in actuality, Polybus and Merope are foster parents to their adopted, Theban born son. In actuality, Oedipus is the only son of Laius and Jocasta. So the further he runs from fate, the closer he gets to it. He indeed is a murderer and a sex offender. And both offenses are committed against and with the very parents that he thinks to have left far away in time and space.

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Q: Why does Oedipus not understand the information Tiresias gives to him?
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When the chorus tells oedipus of the old rumors what effect does it have in terms of the plot of oedipus?

It gives Oedipus information that will later cause him to suspect that he is Laius's murderer.


When the chorus tell Oedipus of old rumours that suggest Laius was not killed by robbers what effect does this have in terms of the plot of Oedipus Rex?

It gives Oedipus information that will later cause him to suspect that he is Laius's murder


What information does Antigone give about Oedipus to Ismene at the beginning of 'Antigone'?

That their father leaves a legacy of dishonor, pain, rumor and shame is the information that Antigone gives about Oedipus to Ismene at the beginning of "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone gives unspecified information about disgraced King Oedipus. Antigone indicates that she and her sister Ismene have experience with woe. She traces it back to unnamed problems in her father's life.


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.


How does the priest describe Oedipus as ruler in 'Oedipus Rex'?

It is as the wisest of men that the priest describes Oedipus in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the priest of Zeus characterizes Theban King Oedipus as the savior of Thebes. He describes Oedipus as divinely favored in wisdom. He gives an example Oedipus' defeat of the seemingly invincible Sphinx.

Related questions

When the chorus tells oedipus of the old rumors what effect does it have in terms of the plot of oedipus?

It gives Oedipus information that will later cause him to suspect that he is Laius's murderer.


When the chorus tell Oedipus of old rumours that suggest Laius was not killed by robbers what effect does this have in terms of the plot of Oedipus Rex?

It gives Oedipus information that will later cause him to suspect that he is Laius's murder


What information does Antigone give about Oedipus to Ismene at the beginning of 'Antigone'?

That their father leaves a legacy of dishonor, pain, rumor and shame is the information that Antigone gives about Oedipus to Ismene at the beginning of "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone gives unspecified information about disgraced King Oedipus. Antigone indicates that she and her sister Ismene have experience with woe. She traces it back to unnamed problems in her father's life.


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 is Apollo in Oedipus?

Apollo is a god of fire and light who gives prophecies to both Oedipus and Creon. His knowledge is absolute and are not considered as warnings.


How does the priest describe Oedipus as ruler in 'Oedipus Rex'?

It is as the wisest of men that the priest describes Oedipus in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the priest of Zeus characterizes Theban King Oedipus as the savior of Thebes. He describes Oedipus as divinely favored in wisdom. He gives an example Oedipus' defeat of the seemingly invincible Sphinx.


Who is Apollo in Oedipus Rex?

Apollo is a god of fire and light who gives prophecies to both Oedipus and Creon. His knowledge is absolute and are not considered as warnings.


What is the priest in 'Oedipus Rex'?

A servant of the chief god Zeus is who the priest is in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the priest is a minor character who appears only in the play's prologue. He interacts with Theban King Oedipus on behalf of Theban suppliants who gather outside the main entrance to the Theban royal palace. He gives useful background information regarding the high esteem in which Thebans hold Oedipus and shares Oedipus' revered title as the Savior of Thebes.


What is unique about the spirit of tiresias of Thebes?

Tiresias of Thebes is unique for being a blind prophet who lived both as a man and a woman, having experienced life from both perspectives. This duality gives Tiresias a deep understanding of human nature and the ability to foresee the future with great accuracy. His wisdom and insight make him a respected figure in Greek mythology.


Which element of a story gives information about the people in it?

Characterization is the element of a story that gives information about the people in it. This includes the traits, motivations, and behaviors of the characters, helping readers understand their actions and personalities within the narrative.


How is conflict evident in 'Oedipus Rex'?

That Oedipus quarrels with Creon and Teiresias and that he threatens the Theban shepherd are examples of evident conflict in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Oedipus gets into conflict with Teiresias the blind prophet when the latter gives unwelcome information. He then picks a fight with Creon, his brother-in-law and royal colleague, when the latter refuses to accept a groundless charge of treasonous conspiracy. He furthermore threatens the Theban shepherd with torture and death when the latter understandably hestitates to share information that will not be at all uplifting or welcome.


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.