 Oedipus  Creon  Chorus  Tiresias  Jocasta  Messenger

 King of Thebes  Ruled by fate from Apollo  Destined to marry mother and kill father  Raised by King and Queen of Corinth  Birth parents: King Laius and Jocasta  Defeated Sphinx

 Brother of Jocasta  Brings news from Apollo: find the murderer of Laius, for he is the reason for the plague  Oedipus accuses him for trying to take over  Charged with treason  Turns out to be a true friend and takes care of Oedipus’ daughters in the end

 Citizens of Thebes  March around alter, chanting  Speak for the people of Thebes  Follow their leader  Help reader visualize the people’s thoughts, concerns, and opinions

 Blind prophet; predicts fate and can see the future  Called by Oedipus for advice  Admits that Oedipus is indeed the murderer of Laius  Oedipus accuses him of conspiring with Creon to kill him and take his place as king

 Was married to King Laius  Birthed a son and had him killed by a henchman  Marries Oedipus after husband died  Accidently led Oedipus to realize he killed his own father, King Laius  Hangs herself after she realizes Oedipus is her son

 Sends message that Polybus, King of Corinth, has died from natural causes  Reveals that Oedipus was adopted  Used to be a herdsman  Gave Oedipus to Polybus and Merope  Only survivor of the fight between Oedipus and Laius.

 Oedipus tries to find cause of plague for the citizens he rules.  He Sends Creon to the priest of Apollo.  Finds out the cause of the plague is from the unidentified murderer of Laius  Oedipus consults Tiresias, the blind prophet.  Tiresias says Oedipus is the murderer  Creon agrees, and Oedipus is enraged  He accuses Creon of treason  Jocasta calms the men and convinces Oedipus that Creon is genuine

 She tells Oedipus not to worry, and that oracles are fake.  Oedipus questions Jocasta about Laius, and every answer leads to worry.  Jocasta informs him there was one survivor, a herdsman  Oedipus reveals to Jocasta his fate: he will kill his father and sleep with his mother. Oedipus left his parents in Corinth so his fate will not come true

 A messenger, the last survivor, confirms that Oedipus was adopted.  He informs people Polybus is dead.  Admits that he received Oedipus from another herdsman and gave him to Polybus  Herdsman confirms that he saved Oedipus and did not kill him  Jocasta kills herself after she realizes Oedipus is her son  Oedipus gauges his eyes out and exiles himself, leaving Creon to care of his daughters.

 One cannot change his or her fate.  One is either born innocent or guilty.  Sometimes the blind know more than the one who sees.  One shall not promise something, unless he or she knows the truth.