1. Oedipus at Colonus

2. Facts
First performed at the end of Sophocles’s life in either 406 or 405 BC
The second play in the Oedipus “trilogy” order but written last
Contains discrepancies between itself and Oedipus Rex
Antigone and Ismene have had constant contact with Oedipus
Polyneices and Eteocles were sharing the rule of Thebes, one year each.
Oedipus is angry at Polyneices and Eteocles for not stopping his exile.

3. Characters Oedipus: Twenty years older and blind, ready to die
Antigone: Oldest daughter/sister of Oedipus, Oedipus’s primary caretaker
A stranger: Informs Oedipus and Antigone where they are at the beginning of the play
Ismene: Youngest daughter/sister of Oedipus
Theseus: King of Athens, sympathetic to Oedipus

4. Creon: important person in Thebes, fakes sympathy for Oedipus and wants him buried just outside Thebes to ensure good fortune
Polyneices: Oldest son/brother of Oedipus, former co-ruler of Thebes, flees to Colonus for Oedipus’s help
Eteocles (not in play): Youngest son/brother of Oedipus, usurps throne from Polyneices
A messenger
Chorus: old wise men of Athens
Eumenides (not in play): Goddesses of fate, Oedipus was destined to die on their ground.

5. Setting Time: unknown, 20 years after Oedipus Rex
Place: the grove of the Furies in Colonus, a suburb of Athens

6. Themes
Thebes vs. Athens: Thebes was portrayed as a land without respect for identities or boundaries, while Athens was a place of order.
Fate vs. Guilt: Oedipus is guilty of his actions even though fate caused him to do it, but because he did it unknowingly, he will not be punished in the afterlife.
Oedipus as a hero?
Sought after by two cities
Now completely trusts in gods and oracles
Has supernatural abilities to bestow good fortune