1. Oedipus the King
by Sophocles

2. Some Questions About Theme:
What makes a king great?
Is Oedipus a great king?
Does Oedipus deserve his fate?
How & why did Oedipus save Thebes?
Did Oedipus do anything to deserve his
tragic fate? Explain.
Why doesn’t he take his life?
Why does he blind himself?
Why does Jocasta commit suicide?
Predict the future of his 4 children.

3. Background on Oedipus Myth
Important prophecies:
to King Laius & Jocasta, King & Queen of Thebes
to Oedipus (about 15 years old) at the Delphic Oracle
Infanticide:
acceptable under certain circumstances
pierced ankles, left to die on Mt. Kithairon
2 plagues on Thebes:
1st plague—caused by the riddling Sphinx
2nd plague—caused by the “defilement”:
the murder of Laius = regicide
Corinthian feast:
Drunken guest
Oedipus runs off to Delphic Oracle
At the Triple Crossroads:
“a party of five — I killed them all.”
Oedipus and the Sphinx:
Oedipus solves the riddle of the Sphinx
Oedipus the King

4. The Dramatis Personae Oedipus, King of Thebes
Priest of Zeus, a suppliant
Creon, brother-in-law of Oedipus; Jocasta’s brother
The Chorus, Theban elders
Jocasta, Queen of Thebes, widow of King Laius
Teiresias, the blind prophet of Thebes
Corinthian Messenger, emissary of King Polybus
The Shepherd, the “Sole Survivor”
Ismene & Antigone, daughters of Oedipus & Jocasta

5. The Life of Oedipus Dreadful prophecy to Laius &Jocasta A son is born
Infanticide
Shepherd to Shepherd
Polybus & Merope adopt
Drunken Man at the Feast
The Delphic Oracle
The Oracle reveals
At the triple crossroads
“Sole Survivor”
The Sphinx & her riddle
Oedipus the King

6. The Proclamation Speech
Edict
Instant Law
Delphic oracle
The defilement
Murderer of Laius
Sophoclean irony
Exile or banishment
Excommunication
Death

7. Sophoclean Irony Ran away from Corinth Murders & Marries Strangers
Proclamation Speech
Accusations of Treason
Accusation of Snobbery
“I, know nothing Oedipus”
From darkness to light
Self-blinding
From light to darkness
Fate vs. Free Will
“Know Thyself”

8. The Fulcrum Speech From memory At the triple crossroads
A party of five
Herald
Charioteer (& horses)
Laius (not in royal garb)
2 Guards
First aggressive strike
Two-pronged goad
Self-defense
Treacherous mt. road
Pedestrian vs. equestrians

9. The 3 Unities in Oedipus the King
Unity of time:
one day in Oedipus’s life
from dawn to dusk
Unity of place:
in front of the Theban palace
Unity of action:
no sub-plots;one plot
find out the truth about Oedipus

10. The Tragic Flaw of Oedipus
What are his character flaws?
Examples of anger
Examples of rashness
Examples of stubbornness
Examples of hubris

11. The Children of Oedipus
Polynices:
eldest child
first-born son
direct successor
Eteocles:
2nd child
younger son
2nd in line
Ismene:
3rd child
1st daughter
older daughter
Antigone:
youngest child
last child