Oedipus Rex

That mortals are the playthings of the gods may be inferred from Oedipus' saying "What man more harassed by the vexing Gods..." in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, the gods appear to like to set mortals up for failure and punishment. In fact, the play ends with the suggestion that it is only in death that mortals can be happy, in the sense of not having to look constantly over their shoulder at what the gods are doing and planning. Up until that point, mortals run an obstacle course that is determined, not by them, but by the cruel whims of the gods.

Running away, responding to violence with lethal force, neglecting mandatory cleansing rituals, jumping into marriage with an older woman and changing the word of the gods are errors made by Oedipus in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Oedipus makes mistakes that combine to turn his life in an unfortunate direction. The first mistake is running away when he hears what he does not want to hear. The second, third and fourth mistakes head him in the very direction that he wants to avoid: the fateful killing of his father, the lack of necessary atonement, and the marriage with his own mother. The fifth mistake disrespects the divine monopoly over justice and subsequently removes all chance for pardon and mitigating circumstances from his own punishment.

"Swollen foot" is the translation of the name Oedipus in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, the meaning of the name describes one of Theban King Oedipus' most distinctive physical features. Scars feature prominently around both of Oedipus' swollen feet. He also has a shuffling gait because of the deformities.

That no one will want to marry them, that they will not have children, and that they will be insulted, isolated, shunned and unprotected number among the reasons why Oedipus pities his daughters in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban Princesses Antigone and Ismene are minors and unable to fend for themselves. They will have a hard time since it is public knowledge that their father is also their half-brother, that he is their grandfather's killer and that their mother also is their grandmother. Having incestuous parents and a murderous father opens few doors and leads to life on the streets unless their uncle Creon as sole ruler of Thebes takes them under his wing and finds husbands for them.

It is Apollo that Oedipus blames for all of his problems in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban King Oedipus commits murderous acts and immoral behavior that trip him up. Oedipus does the misdeeds without knowing the true identities of himself, his victim or his wife. He insists that the gods are to blame for meddling in human lives and that Apollo the sun god particularly is to blame as the god of prophecy. Oedipus maintains that he has no motive other than an understandable effort to do what he can to escape a horrible fate that nevertheless catches him up.

It is in the opening scene that Oedipus asks why the citizens of Thebes are upset in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban King Oedipus comes out of the main entrance to the Theban royal palace. He finds the altars set up and the priest of Zeus gathered with Theban suppliants. He opens up the dialogue by asking what is troubling his people.

That they both are rejected by the younger men whom they love is what Dido in "The Aeneid" by Homer (fl. 8th B.C.E.) has in common with Jocasta in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Dido falls in love with the Trojan War hero, Aeneas. She is the beautiful but older queen of the powerful North African city of Carthage. Aeneas ultimately leaves her heartbroken. The same may be said of Jocasta, the beautiful but older Theban queen who loses her heart to the young hero, Oedipus, the love of her life and her son.

It is Bacchus who has golden snooded hair in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, the term snood describes a netlike cap to cover the hair. The term is used by chorus members in their description of Bacchus the wine god. The description may come as a surprise since Bacchus often is depicted with dark, loose hair.

That she seeks to comfort him and that she thinks that not all prophecies come true are reasons why Jocasta tells Oedipus to ignore the prophecies in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban King Oedipus admits that he is running scared from a prophecy that he will kill his father and marry his mother. Queen Jocasta appears to love Oedipus and tries to make him feel better. She believes that not all prophecies come true. She gives as an example the prophesied death of her first husband, King Laius, by their son. She indicates that the death instead takes place far away and at the hands of robbers.

Suicide is what happens to the Sphinx in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, the monstrous Sphinx is terrorizing Thebes by killing and devouring all Thebans who cannot answer her riddle. No one knows the answer. The Sphinx is parked right outside the city's main entrance. This is bad for business, because no one wants to enter Thebes, and no one can leave ... until Oedipus comes along and solves the riddle. The Sphinx is so upset that her terrorist days are over that she throws herself over a nearby cliff.

The actions of the characters; the dialogues; the events offstage in other places or times; and the parallels in the stories and to the peoples and places of ancient Greece are what the chorus describes in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, the chorus is supposed to keep the audience current on the actions, conversations and experiences of the characters. The action of the play is supposed to take place in one location and within one 24-hour period. The commentary by the chorus respects that dramatic unity of place and time while allowing for other relevant events to be reported second-hand onstage, in front of the audience. The consequence is a better understood play, an uncluttered plot, and a heightened dramatic impact.

It is in order to emphasize her role as an individual against the entire state that Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.) introduces the fact of her engagement so late in "Antigone."

Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone's courage is emphasized in taking on the entire state apparatus in regard to one, illegal royal edict. The importance of her opinions is evidenced by focusing on her as alone instead of as part of a couple. The question of divine or royal power as the ultimate authority is highlighted and does not find itself blindsided or overshadowed by the passions and personalities inherent in dealing with a couple.

That Teiresias does not want to talk or even be there is the information that leads Oedipus to believe that Teiresias is the murderer in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Teiresias the blind prophet is the royal advisor to all of Thebes' kings since the city's founding by founding King Cadmus. He must answer whatever questions that the current king asks of him. But he says that he does not even want to be in Theban King Oedipus' presence. Oedipus therefore states that Teiresias must be the planner if not the perpetrator of the murderous crime against King Laius, Oedipus' royal predecessor.

It is in the bedroom that Jocasta commits suicide in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban Queen Jocasta goes inside the Theban royal palace. She locks herself inside the royal bedroom. She hangs herself with the threads from her own robes.

That the Theban throne was vacant and that he won both the love of his royal predecessor's beautiful widow and the respect of his future subjects are the reasons why Oedipus becomes King of Thebes in "Oedipus Rex."

Specifically, the previous king, Laius, leaves Thebes to consult the Delphic Oracle, but never returns. Shortly after Laius' disappearance, Oedipus shows up and frees all Thebes from the bullying ways and the bottomless stomach of a monstrous Sphinx that has set up camp outside the city walls. Oedipus thereby becomes the hero of all Thebes, as well as of Theban Queen Jocasta, Laius' widow and co-ruler of Thebes with her brother, Theban King Creon.

No one has any objection to Oedipus as a conquering hero and a beloved second husband. So Oedipus becomes king even though proper procedure actually is not observed. In fact, not only the newly wed royal couple but indeed all Thebes should have looked into the who, what, where, why, and how of Laius' disappearance. Thebans instead return to life as usual.

Not once does anyone in the entire city consider that the unsolved mystery of Laius' disappearance leaves the entire city, and especially the royal family, polluted and polluting in a city increasingly polluted by this one critical non-observance of divine-ordained actions and purification rituals.

It is with fear that Oedipus reacts to what Jocasta says about Laius' murder in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban King Oedipus asks Queen Jocasta, his wife and Laius' widow for help in finding the guilty in her first husband's death. He is not at all prepared for her details. The description of the crime scene and of the victims actually mesh with a similar crime that he commits against similar persons at about the same time.

An ever strengthened desire to do the deed is the effect of Ismene's reply to Antigone's appeal for help in burying their brother Polyneices in the play "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Creon, King of Thebes and uncle to the Princesses Antigone and Ismene, refuses to honor god-given guarantees of proper burials and funerary rites to all Thebes. One of the Thebans so affected is the princesses' disloyal dead brother Polyneices. Antigone wants to go ahead and bury Polyneices, Ismene tries to talk her out of it, and Antigone becomes ever more determined to do the deed and to insult Ismene for having a different opinion.

Arrange to kill him is what Jocasta does to her baby in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban monarchs Laius and Jocasta hear a prophecy that their son will grow up to kill his father. Killing an infant is not serious whereas killing one's father and sovereign is in ancient Greece. Laius therefore orders Jocasta to kill Oedipus. Jocasta relays the order to her most trusted servant that Oedipus must die by exposure in the mountains outside Thebes.

Yes, "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.) is a tragedy.

Specifically, a tragedy describes the unfortunate turn or end to the life of the main character. The description fits the story of the life and times of Theban King Oedipus. He starts the play at the top of his game in personal happiness and professional success. But fate and mistakes ultimate trip him up and deprive him of wife, sight, reputation, job and home.

Teiresias represents wisdom in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. -- 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Teiresias the blind prophet is Thebes' wisest resident. He is respected for what he knows about the past, present and future of all things Thebans. But he also is esteemed for what he figures out from skilled reading of divine will in ritual bird sacrifices.