He insists upon allowing all his people to hear what the oracle has said, despite Creons suggestion that Oedipus hear the news in private. He returned with news that the plague was caused by the unpunished murderer who killed Laius. Wed love to have you back! Alternatively, the plague of Thebes could be a composite of >2 causative agents, as it has been suggested for the contemporary plague of Athens (6,7). $24.99 At that time, a Sphinx held the city captive and refused to leave until someone answered her riddle. Sophocles describes the main characteristics of the epidemic through sporadic sentences. The plot - an old myth already known to most of the audience - was . This skirmish occurred at the very crossroads where Laius was killed. Oedipus In Greek mythology and literature, son of Laius (king of Thebes) and Jocasta; father of Antigone, Ismene, Eteocles and Polynices by his own mother. There was an unexpected error. The citizens of Thebes hated Laius, so they didn't care. PART I: Before Reading STATEMENT RESPONSE (3-5 sentences) It is important to know who we truly are, where we came . 20% But, when Oedipus sends Creon to discover the source of the plague, he learns it springs from a moral problem: the murderer of Laius, the . Haemon seems at first to side with his father, but gradually admits his opposition to Creons stubbornness and petty vindictiveness. The opening of the drama, with the city of Thebes in the midst of plague has often been, historically, taken as a reference to the plague that devastated Athens in the opening years of the Peloponnesian War and has been used to assist in the dating of this play (13). Creon reports that the gods have caused this plague in response to the murder of Laius, the previous king of Thebes, and they demand that the murderer ("the pollution of this land") be killed or exiled. Creon returns from the oracle to deliver what explanation he has been given, and WebOedipus met Jocasta and they were married, unknowingly completely fulfilling the prophecy. Finally, he answers that the child came from the house of Laius. He tells Jocasta that, long ago, when he was the . Oedipus says that his time of death has come. What is the main idea of Oedipus the King by Sophocles, and what is the play about. A second messenger enters and describes scenes of suffering. It's actually a case of a pestilence that's wiping out the city's people, livestock and harvests . Oedipus brags that he alone was able to solve the puzzle. The Plague in the Land of Thebes. It is set in the kingdom of Thebes in The unsolved murder of Theban King Laius is the cause of the plague in Thebes. Educators go through a rigorous application process, and every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team. Creon was told by Apollo that in order to be free of the plague, they must "Pay the killers back- whoever is responsible" (Sophocles 1430). The writing of the tragedy Oedipus the King (original Greek title , most commonly known as Oedipus Rex) is placed in the first half of the decade 430420 bc. C. The sphinx was terrorizing Thebes, so citizens couldn't investigate. The audience is not surprised, therefore, but is watching Oedipus intently for the dawning realization that he himself is the source of the pollution and the plague. Discuss the theme of sight and blindness in Oedipus Rex, how it is important, and how it affects the idea of truth. SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. Photo courtesy Effie Poulakou-Rebelakou. Now "a black sea of terror" has overwhelmed him because he was all too successful in solving this latest riddle of the pestilence upon Thebes. Creon, the brother of Jocasta, has learned from soothsayers that the city is being punished for harboring the murderer of the late King Laius. Oedipus interrogates him, asking who gave him the baby. The messenger took the baby to the royal family of Corinth, and they raised him as their own. All the people were led by an old priest having garlands and flowers. Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! (including. Years passed while Oedipus was king of Thebes. On the surface, the problem afflicting Thebes is a plague. The chorus, which represents the elders of Thebes, appeals to the gods as the agents of fate and rulers of the world to save the city. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. 2 oedipus rex study guide practice test questions final . Oedipus asks who the other shepherd was, and the messenger answers that he was a servant of Laius. WebOedipus is the king of Thebes when the action commences, and one facing the crisis of a plague. With our Essay Lab, you can create a customized outline within seconds to get started on your essay right away. The critical reading of Oedipus Rex, its comparison with Thucydides history, as well as the systematic review of the existing historical data, lead us to strongly suggest that this epidemic, for which the name Plague of Thebes may be used, was an actual historical fact, likely caused by B. abortus. Eventually the city was infected by a plague. The devastating plague that dominates Thebes is presented to the audience through the dialogue between Oedipus and the Priest (lines 167) (2,3). Having just escaped the Sphinx, searching out Laius's murderer seemed impossible to Creon. These cookies may also be used for advertising purposes by these third parties. Antigone freely confesses her act to Creon and says that he himself defies the will of the gods by refusing Polynices burial. By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% He knows that the city is sick with plague. Her description of Laiuss murder, however, sounds familiar to Oedipus, and he asks further questions. Only one of his fellow travelers escaped alive. Accessed 4 Mar. Wailing on the altar stair, wives and grandams rend the air, long-drawn moans and piercing cries blent with prayers and litaniesSophocles, Oedipus Rex, lines 184186. The characteristics of pathogens that might be responsible for the plague on the basis of Sophocles descriptions in Oedipus Rex are summarized in the Technical Appendix. You can review and change the way we collect information below. SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. For the next 7 days, you'll have access to awesome PLUS stuff like AP English test prep, No Fear Shakespeare translations and audio, a note-taking tool, personalized dashboard, & much more! Is Oedipus a victim of fate or a victim of his own actions in Oedipus Rex? Despite the warning, Theseus agrees to help Oedipus. Despite his anger and harshness, Oedipus is a noble figure because he really does feel the grief of his people and is utterly single-minded in tracking down the source of their distress. Purchasing Bearing in mind the aforementioned observations and the fact no other epidemics were reported in the eastern Mediterranean during the 5th century bc, we posit that the plague described by Sophocles in the tragedy Oedipus Rex has an actual basis in the plague of Athens described by Thucydides in his histories. Thus, the most probable cause of the plague in Thebes is B. abortus. Oedipus, now blind, entrusting his children to the gods. Economopoulos, E. Poulakou-Rebelakou, G. Androutsos, S. Tsiodras), Society of Junior Doctors, Athens (A.A. Kousoulis, K.P. What is the conflict or problem the people of Thebes face as the play opens? -Graham S. Oedipus is a hero and a man of action. for a customized plan. Lines 179181 turn out to be of high interest: wasted thus by death on death all our city perishes; corpses spread infection round (2,3). The play shows that one cannot avert one's fate. Oedipus, stunned, tells his wife that he may be the one who murdered Laius. . These diseases mainly include typhoid fever, epidemic typhus, smallpox, plague, measles, and influenza, all of which could be initial candidates for the plague in Oedipus Rex and have been taken into account in this study (Technical Appendix) (9,10). Consequently, a solution for the situation is requested from the oracle at Delphi (lines 6872), while the Chorus plead for Athena, Zeus, Artemis, and Apollo to save the town from the disaster (lines 160165) (2,3). Oedipus acts quickly to find the killer. 20% Ismenus: A temple to Apollo Ismenios where burnt offerings were the basis for the priest's . After years of wandering in exile from Thebes, Oedipus arrives in a grove outside Athens. He sends Creon, his brother-in-law, to the oracle at Athens. However, taking into account that in modern times brucellosis in humans is a severe granulomatous disease characterized by extremely rare direct transmission from person-to-person, insidious onset in sporadic cases (mainly among veterinarians), and low mortality rates, it may be difficult for 21st century physicians and veterinarians to accept B. abortus as the causative agent of the plague of Thebes. You can view our. Finally, we cannot reject the possibility of dealing with a Brucella strain that has evolved to become less deadly than a more lethal ancestor (6). Oedipus and the Sphinx, by Gustave Moreau, 1864, The Met. Please use the form below to submit correspondence to the authors or contact them at the following address: Antonis A. Kousoulis, History of Medicine Department, School of Medicine, University of Athens, 131 Lambrou Katsoni Str., Athens, 18344 Greece. However, Thucydides correlation of the plague of Athens with the Peloponnesian War (431404 bc) (5) gives us the opportunity to state that Sophocles connects this epidemic of Thebes with the plague of Athens and attempts to point out the disastrous effects wars always have. But Tiresias answers enigmatically. You'll be billed after your free trial ends. Oedipus encountered the Sphinx and quickly realized that the answer was "man". Cookies used to track the effectiveness of CDC public health campaigns through clickthrough data. eNotes Editorial, 3 Jan. 2020, https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-reason-plague-thebes-sophocles-oedipus-rex-662761. Creon says that he thinks some of the dissidents of the city bribed the sentry to perform the rites, and he vows to execute the sentry if no other suspect is found. The plague that is described in Oedipus Rex could possibly be related to the plague that struck Athens in 430429 bc (11), the primary source for which is the papers of historian Thucydides (where he refers to an epidemic that has been named the plague of Athens) (5). From the start of the drama, the plague in Thebes is a serious matter, as in line 23 where it is referred to as weltering surge of blood ( ). The shepherd refuses to disclose anything, and Oedipus threatens him with torture. Realizing who he is and who his parents are, Oedipus screams that he sees the truth and flees back into the palace. Oedipus the King opens with a priest describing the terrible plague that has come upon Thebes and begging Oedipus for help. CDC twenty four seven. Creon goes on to tell the story of Laiuss murder. Oedipus also learns that Laius is his father and that Jocasta, his wife, is his mother. "What is the reason for the plague in Thebes in Sophocles' Oedipus Rex?" Homer related that Oedipus's wife and mother hanged herself when the truth of their relationship became known, though Oedipus apparently continued to rule at Thebes until his death. 276-379: The blind priest Tiresias has information about the plague, which he refuses to divulge. When Creon returns from the oracle, he informs Oedipus that the person responsible for murdering the former King Laius must be banished from Thebes in order to put an end to the devastating plague. n/a annes thomas tracy world lit oedipus the king writing assignment there is an old time saying, comes before the pride can lead to downfall. King Theseus arrives and says that he pities Oedipus for the fate that has befallen him, and he asks how he can help Oedipus. Table of Contents Volume 18, Number 1January 2012. Thucydides and Sophocles use similar terms when describing attempts to deal with the epidemic. The fate of Oedipus emerges as a truly tragic one, not so much because he caused the plague, but because of the characters own personal tragedy (Figure 2). Thank you for taking the time to confirm your preferences. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. In Oedipus Rex, how does Oedipus's tragic flaw lead to his downfall? Renews March 10, 2023 Free trial is available to new customers only. Polynices, realizing he will never win his fathers support, turns to his sisters. Oedipus sends Creon to Delphi to consult the oracle, or priestess, there, about the cause of the plague in Thebes. The way the content is organized, LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in, The play begins in the royal house of Thebes. from Oxford University Ph.D. from St. Andrews University. Oedipus steps out of the royal palace of Thebes and is greeted by a procession of priests, who are in turn surrounded by the impoverished and sorrowful citizens of Thebes. on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% Cookies used to make website functionality more relevant to you. This fact has been used to suggest that there is no connection between the plague in Thebes and the plague in Athens. For the next 7 days, you'll have access to awesome PLUS stuff like AP English test prep, No Fear Shakespeare translations and audio, a note-taking tool, personalized dashboard, & much more! Oedipus was perhaps doomed from birth, for many prophecies were told about Oedipus before and after his birth. The priest describes that there is much disease and death in Thebes. Oedipus the King is one of the most ironic plays ever written. Therefore, although the first part of the play is rife with references to the plague and its consequences, in the second part there are only sporadic referrals to the epidemic. In the historical case (Athens) and the dramatic case (Thebes), the populace turned to the temples looking for a divine solution to the disaster. However, with his excavations in Troy, which used the Iliad as a guide, Schlieman provided a perfect example of how literary work can have a factual base (16). The Plague of Thebes, a Historical Epidemic in Sophocles Oedipus Rex. . oedipus s position in thebes ii his certainty of his own innocence iii. The ultimate goals of our study were to clarify whether the plague described in Oedipus Rex could reflect an actual historical event, compare it with the plague of Athens, which was described by the historian Thucydides as occurring not long before the time that Sophocles work appeared (4), and propose the most likely causative pathogen. As when he faced the Sphinx, Oedipus is presented with a puzzle to solve: the identity of Laius's murderer. We're sorry, SparkNotes Plus isn't available in your country. Theseus grants them this, and the Chorus tells the girls to stop their weeping, for all rests in the hands of the gods. on 50-99 accounts. Searching for the miasma, Oedipus summons the blind prophet Tiresias to reveal who is responsible for this evil (lines 300313) (2,3). Wed love to have you back! The reference to the Sphinx reminds the audience that Oedipus is a genuine hero. A blight, the priest tells Oedipus, has destroyed their crops and livestock - and even rendered their women sterile, unable to have children. Sophocles, the author, is a famous philosopher of the ancient times The Play is about Oedipus, the king of Thebes, who kills his father and marries his mother. Creon returns, bearing good news: once the killer of the previous king, Laius, is found, Thebes will be cured of the plague (Laius was Jocasta's husband before she married Oedipus). That baby was Oedipus. Scene from a National Theatre of Greece production of Oedipus Rex at the Odeon of Herodus Atticus, Athens, Greece January 1995. Sending for Theseus, he tells the king he must carry out certain rites on his body, and that by doing so he may assure divine protection to his city. Arriving at Thebes, Oedipus was confronted by the Sphinx: a monster that was half woman and half lion. Oedipus is a vigorous and active leader. In this way Theseus and his heirs may always rule over a safe city. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. Oedipus the King opens with a priest describing the terrible plague that has come upon Thebes and begging Oedipus for help. It would not be irrational to trust the historical credibility of a literary text. Copy. The date of the Oedipus Tyrannus of Sophocles. Bust of Sophocles in the Colonnade of the Muses in the Achilleion, Corfu, Greece, July 2011. Surely it suggests exactly the opposite. Discount, Discount Code Theseus and the Chorus exit toward Athens; Antigone and Ismene head for Thebes. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. Oedipus eagerly attempts to uncover the truth, acting decisively and scrupulously refusing to shield himself from the truth. Please wait while we process your payment.