Oedipus Rex

Sophocles wrote the Oedipus cycle.

Specifically, Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.) was an ancient Greek dramatist. He was born in Colonus and died in Athens, both places of which are linked with the story of disgraced Theban King Oedipus. He wrote around 123 plays, of which seven survive and of which three of those surviving are the Oedipus cycle: "Oedipus Rex," "Oedipus at Colonus" and "Antigone."

After the news of Polybus' death and before the interview with the Theban shepherd is the point at which Oedipus learns that the Corinthian monarch is not his father in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, a Corinthian messenger unexpectedly arrives to announce Corinthian King Polybus' death and Oedipus' eligibility for the throne. Oedipus explains his lack of enthuasiam by referencing a prophecy that he will kill his father and marry his mother. He awaits the arrival of a Theban shepherd, and it is just before the latter arrives that the Corinthian messenger explains that the Corinthian monarchs are not Oedipus' biological parents.

The word of the sun god Apollo as revealed through a specially gifted and trained individual is what the oracle is in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, the most famous oracle is the Delphic Oracle. It is located in the ancient Greek city of Delphi. Its prophecies are sought and respected by all of ancient Greece's royal houses even though there is always the worry over just how miserable the prediction is going to be.

That she is the main character is the reason why Antigone is the protagonist in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, the protagonist is the main character around whom the play's action revolves. The protagonist is heroic in doing good deeds. This describes Antigone, who is both the main character and the principal female character. She does good deeds, because she respects her family, the gods and Theban traditions.

Free verse is the verse in which "Oedipus Rex" was written by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, free verse does not have a predictable structure. For example, its meter respects no distinct pattern. Its rhythm varies from line to line.

That he intends to avenge Laius' death as he would his own father's even though he is a stranger to his royal predecessor and to Thebes are three ways that show that Oedipus does not know who he is in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban King Oedipus announces that he will pursue the guilty in King Laius' death as thoroughly as he would for his own father. He assures Thebans that he loves their city even though he is not Theban born and bred. He insists that he will bring to justice the guilty in the death of a man he never met.

King Polybus and Queen Merope of Corinth were the married couple whose child Theban King Oedipus believed himself to be. As far back as he could remember, he had been raised as the only child and heir apparent to the Corinthian couple. But then as an adult, he heard a rumor that the monarchs actually were his foster parents.

So Oedipus went to see what the Delphic Oracle had to say about this unexpected twist to life. The Oracle said that Oedipus was fated to kill his father and marry his mother. Oedipus forgot about the rumor, and decided to get as far away from Corinth as possible.

It was towards Thebes that Oedipus headed. Between Delphi and Thebes, he killed a stranger who was old enough to be his father and whom he resembled. At Thebes, he married a woman who was old enough to be his mother.

Years later, at the time of the action of the play 'Oedipus Rex', Oedipus realized that it was the rumor that he should have listened to and looked into. The Corinthian couple indeed were none other than his foster parents. His biological parents were none other than Theban King Laius, whom he killed; and Theban Queen Jocasta, whom he wedded and bedded.

Oedipus is a better leader than Creon in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban King Oedipus anticipates his people's needs by keeping informed of what goes on in his city. He keeps them informed by sharing with them what he will do and how he will do it. He makes himself accessible to his people. He takes immediate action against problems, such as the Sphinx, the pestilence and Laius' murder. He tends to follow proper procedure by consulting the Delphic oracle, eyewitnesses and Teiresias the blind prophet.

A reward and thanks is what Oedipus promises to whomever informs him about Laius' murder 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 needs help since the murder takes place before his move to Thebes. He promises that those who share information will benefit from royal rewards and gratitude.

An attempt to stop the questioning is the way in which Jocasta reacts when she hears the news of Oedipus' birth in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban Queen Jocasta hears the Corinthian messenger indicate that King Oedipus is not the biological son of Corinthian monarchs Polybus and Merope. That may seem like good news since Oedipus is fated to kill his father and marry his mother. The news offers Oedipus the chance of safely accepting the throne vacated by Polybus' death. But then the messenger reveals that Oedipus is a Theban born in the royal household. That information shakes Jocasta, who knows right then and there Oedipus' true identity.

It is from the Corinthian messenger and the Theban shepherd that Oedipus finds out the truth in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, the Corinthian messenger indicates that Corinthian monarchs Polybus and Merope are not Oedipus' biological parents. He informs Oedipus of his birth in Thebes. His information is corroborated and expanded upon by the Theban shepherd. The shepherd mentions that Oedipus is actually the son of Theban monarchs Laius and Jocasta. He reveals that Oedipus' parents arrange to have him killed because of a prophecy that he will grow up to kill his father.

It is with hesitation and then with amazement that Oedipus reacts to the Corinthian messenger's news in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, the Corinthian messenger announces that Theban King Oedipus' presumed father, Corinthian King Polybus, is dead from illness and old age in Corinth while Oedipus is far away in Thebes. Oedipus feels relief that he cannot be accused of killing his father, but worries about his fate as his mother's husband since his presumed mother, Queen Merope, still lives. The messenger then makes the startling revelation that Oedipus is not the Corinthian royal couple's biological son.