Quotes (Who said it)
"If he should become an honoured guest in my own home and with my knowledge, I may suffer all those things I’ve just called down"
Oedipus (289-290)
What is the prophecy told to Oedipus and his parents?
He will kill his father and marry his mother
The Oracle of Delphi says this crime must be avenged to save the city of Thebes
The murder of King Laius
What does Oedipus do to himself upon realizing the prophecy has been fulfilled?
He blinds himself
"I have just discovered that Oedipus, our king, has leveled charges against me, disturbing allegations. That I cannot bear, so I have come here. In these present troubles, if he believes that he has suffered any injury from me, in word or deed, then I have no desire to continue living into ripe old age still bearing his reproach."
Creon (612-620)
Why does Oedipus leave Corinth?
To ensure that he does not end up fulfilling the prophecy
How did the characters in the story receive prophesies?
The Oracle of Delphi
What does Jocasta do upon realizing she has married and had children with her son?
She hangs herself
"Let me go home. You must bear your burden to the very end, and I will carry mine, if you’ll agree with me."
Teiresias (380-381)
Who is the first character to accuse Oedipus of being the murderer of King Laius?
Teiresias
At the beginning of the play, the citizens come to Oedipus asking him to save them from what disaster?
The Plague
What did the servant do upon returning to Thebes and realizing Oedipus has become king?
He asked to be sent as far from town as possible, living there for the rest of his life
"I can do nothing more for him with my advice, and so, Lycean Apollo, I come to you, who stand here beside us, a suppliant, with offerings and prayers for you to find some way of cleansing what corrupts us."
Jocasta (1088-1092)
Where does Oedipus meet his father and kill him, fulfilling the prophecy?
The place where three roads meet, or the crossroads
What does Oedipus say must happen after learning Jocasta is his mother
Cast me out as quickly as you can, away from Thebes, to a place where no one,no living human being, will cross my path (1697-1699).
Why did the servant feel guilty upon returning to Thebes and seeing Oedipus become king?
He feels guilty as he was the one who spared Oedipus as a child, being the reason the prophecy comes true.
"No, no, by sacred Helios, the god whose stands pre-eminent before the rest, may I die the most miserable of deaths, abandoned by the gods and by my friends, if I have ever harbored such a thought!But the destruction of our land wears down the troubled heart within me."
Chorus Leader (801-807)
What is one example of Fate overpowering Free Will in the play?
Jocasta failing to kill Oedipus as a baby, Oedipus leaving Corinth to avoid the prophecy, Oedipus killing his father unknowingly, etc
How do the characters in the story treat their responsibilities and duties as leaders of Thebes?
The characters in the story are driven by a big sense of duty to Thebes. They constantly show undying dedication to Thebes and even take offense to others questioning their loyalty.
How do the characters in the play react to their feelings of guilt?
The characters in the play often react to guilt with extreme physical and social punishments. Self harm and exile occur numerous times across the course of the play as a result of guilt.