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It is to emphasize the greatness of his fall, heighten dramatic tension and increase audience involvement that Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.) concentrates on Oedipus' life after becoming king of Thebes in "Oedipus Rex."

Specifically, Oedipus goes from the peak of personal happiness and professional success to blind prisoner in a day's time. The tension is heightened because the play is structured around a murder investigation in which clues are collected and information sources are interviewed. The attention level and emotional investment of the audience rises as revelation upon revelation shakes and shatters Oedipus' seemingly charmed life in Thebes.

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Q: Why does Sophocles concentrate on Oedipus' life after becoming king of Thebes in 'Oedipus Rex'?
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What is Oedipus' adopted hometown in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Corinth in actuality but Thebes in Oedipus' mind is what Oedipus' adopted hometowns is in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Oedipus is born in Thebes. But he is fostered at a very, very early age into the royal house of Thebes. Years later, he leaves Corinth and settles down in Thebes. Even more years pass before Oedipus realizes that Thebes is his actual, not adopted, hometown.


What responsibility does Oedipus have in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Governing Thebes is Oedipus' responsibility in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Oedipus is king of Thebes. He shares royal powers with his wife, Queen Jocasta, and his brother-in-law Creon. But he tends to be the main royal responsible for the well-being of Thebes and Thebans.


Who ruins Thebes in 'Oedipus Rex'?

The Sphinx and Oedipus ruin Thebes in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the Sphinx ruins Thebes with her great appetite for freshly killed Thebans. Oedipus ruins Thebes with his two-time neglect of mandatory cleansing rituals. He spreads pollution by not purifying his murders or that of King Laius.


Who goes with Oedipus when he is exiled from Thebes in 'Oedipus at Colonus'?

Antigone goes with Oedipus when he is exiled from Thebes in "Oedipus at Colonus" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone accompanies her father, King Oedipus, into exile from Thebes. Many of the ancient stories have variant versions. According to other versions, Ismeneaccompanies her father and sister.


What do the people of Thebes want Oedipus to do for them in 'Oedipus Rex'?

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.

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Oedipus Rex


What is Oedipus' adopted hometown in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Corinth in actuality but Thebes in Oedipus' mind is what Oedipus' adopted hometowns is in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Oedipus is born in Thebes. But he is fostered at a very, very early age into the royal house of Thebes. Years later, he leaves Corinth and settles down in Thebes. Even more years pass before Oedipus realizes that Thebes is his actual, not adopted, hometown.


What responsibility does Oedipus have in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Governing Thebes is Oedipus' responsibility in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Oedipus is king of Thebes. He shares royal powers with his wife, Queen Jocasta, and his brother-in-law Creon. But he tends to be the main royal responsible for the well-being of Thebes and Thebans.


Who ruins Thebes in 'Oedipus Rex'?

The Sphinx and Oedipus ruin Thebes in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the Sphinx ruins Thebes with her great appetite for freshly killed Thebans. Oedipus ruins Thebes with his two-time neglect of mandatory cleansing rituals. He spreads pollution by not purifying his murders or that of King Laius.


Who goes with Oedipus when he is exiled from Thebes in 'Oedipus at Colonus'?

Antigone goes with Oedipus when he is exiled from Thebes in "Oedipus at Colonus" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone accompanies her father, King Oedipus, into exile from Thebes. Many of the ancient stories have variant versions. According to other versions, Ismeneaccompanies her father and sister.


What do the people of Thebes want Oedipus to do for them in 'Oedipus Rex'?

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.


Where are Oedipus' parents from in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Thebes is the hometown of Oedipus' parents in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Oedipus is a native son of Thebes, the hometown of his biological parents. But he does not know that. He thinks of Thebes as a fresh start and as protection from a horrendous prophecy concerning his presumed hometown of Corinth and his presumed parents, Corinthian monarchs Polybus and Merope.


Does Oedipus curse Thebes in 'Oedipus Rex'?

No, Oedipus does not curse Thebes in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Oedipus is angry, horrified and upset to discover that his life is exactly as it is fated to be. But he never lets any of these emotions be expressed against his beloved Thebes. In fact, he ultimately requests to be exiled outside Thebes so as not to condemn the city with his cursed, polluting presence.


Why is Oedipus still important to Thebes in 'Oedipus Rex' 'Oedipus at Colonus' and 'Antigone'?

That he is the city's savior is the reason why Oedipus remains important to Thebes in "Oedipus Rex," "Oedipus at Colonus" and "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Oedipus becomes the disgraced King of Thebes. But he cannot be dismissed or ignored historically. He rescues the city from the monstrous Sphinx and from a pestilence of ailing livestock, dying children and failing crops.


Where is Oedipus raised in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Corinth is where Oedipus is raised "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, this information comes out in the course of the play. The play begins with the audience meeting Oedipus as King of Thebes. Oedipus assumes that he is Corinthian born and bred because that is where he is relocated not too long after birth in Thebes.


Is Oedipus royalty in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Yes, Oedipus is royalty in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Oedipus is born a prince of Thebes. He is raised a prince of Corinth. He receives the title of king from Thebes. He refuses the title of king of Corinth just before he becomes a disgraced royal.


When does the action take place in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Oedipus' last day as King of Thebes is the timing of the action in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the play respects the ancient Greek unity of time, plot, and place. Temporally, the time is the 24-hour span in which Oedipus ends his rule Thebes and begins his house arrest. Ultimately, house arrest is followed by either Oedipus' exile and death in Colonus according to Sophocles' "Oedipus at Colonus" or by his continued house arrest and death in Thebes according to Book 23 of Homer's "Iliad."