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Sophocles
435 BC (yeah, a LONG time ago)
Thebes, in front of the palace, ancient Greece, about 400 BC
Oedipus: proud, clever, egotistical, hubris-fatal flaw of pride, "crooked
ankles"
Creon: Oedipus's uncle and brother-in-law, just and fair
Jocaste: obnoxious, no respect for the gods
Tiersias: sightseer, blind, tells Oedipus of his situation
Shepard: took baby Oedipus to the 1st messenger
1st messenger: gave baby Oedipus to King Polybus
King Polybus: adopted father of Oedipus, dies
Queen Merope: adopted mother of Oedipus
Choragus: chorus
It is impossible to escape fate.
The only sight is in blindness.
Do not mock the gods for they will get revenge.
Hubris is a fatal flaw and will bring about downfall.
All prophecies will eventually be fulfilled.
Sight vs. Blindness: Tiersias is blind but he can see; Oedipus has sight but
cannot "see" until he blinds himself.
Light vs. Dark: When Oedipus's sight is dark, he can finally see.
Apollo: God of the Sun
Artemis: Goddess of Hunting, sister of Apollo
Underworld: ruled by Pluto
The prophecy said King Laius would be killed by his son. Oedipus does kill
Laius, unknowingly, at 3-roads intersection.
Oedipus was told he would kill his father and marry his mother. He does and
his children are his half-siblings. (disgusting, huh??)
Oedipus could not "see" until he blinds himself.
Play.
Oedipus realizes his prophecy has come true and blinds himself so he will not
be able to see his children/siblings. He is exiled.
Oedipus had found out he will kill his father, so he left his home. he came
to Thebes and helped the people rid the riddling sphinx. Since King Laius had
dies, he became king and married Jocaste.
The people asked Oedipus if he can rid the plague. He sends Creon to an oracle
who says they need to find King Laius's murderer. They find clues, like he was
killed at a crossing of three roads. Piece by piece, they realize Oedipus was
the murderer. He killed his father and married his mother. His children are
also his half-siblings. When he discovers the truth, he pokes his eyes out.
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