Oedipus

By AH

Citizens: “Please, sire! Lift this plague and prevent it from destroying

fair Thebes!”

Oedipus: “Worry not, citizens, for I have sent Creon toattain a prophecy from the oracle. We shall

soon have a way to rid ourselves of this!”

Creon returns from his trip hours later, bearing the prophecy that has been foretold.

Creon:Dear citizens, I have been told great news indeed.

The prophet has said that when the murderer of Laius -our former king – is punished, we shall have our plague lifted.

Oedipus:Truly? Then I shall set off on my ownto find out where the scoundrel went!

Before Oedipus goes off on his journey, Oedipus has the blind prophet, Tiresias, comebefore him.

Oedipus:Speak, man, what is the identity

of the king-killer we seek?

Tiresias:…

Oedipus:Well?! How am I supposedto search if I do not know? Tiresias:

It is you, Oedipus,who is responsible for

killing King Laius!

Angered, Oedipus orders Tiresias to leave, but not before receiving another prophecyfrom the oracle, one of murdering his father and another of marrying his mother. Oedipus goes to his wife, Jocasta, for advice.

Oedipus:Dear Jocasta, a terrible prophecy has been foretold!What am I to do?

Jocasta:I say ignore the prophecy. A prophet foretold myhusband dying by the hands of my son, but my son diedand a band of robbers killed my husband.

Suddenly distressed by what Jocasta tells him, Oedipus sends for the only witness to themurder, a shepherd. A messenger comes forth with news for the two of them.

Messenger:Sire, I have brought bad news indeed.Polybus, king of Corinth, has died of old age.

Jocasta:Then, you are free of the prophecy, Oedipus!If your father has already died, you cannot kill him.

Oedipus:Yet, I cannot help fearing that I shall still completethe other half of the prophecy.

Jocasta:Nonsense. That couldn’t happen.

Messenger:Oh! You did not know?Polybus and Merope are not Oedipus’true parents. Indeed, I delivered you to them.

Oedipus:What?! Then I must track down the shepherd myself!

Jocasta:Please stop, Oedipus! This cannot go on!

Oedipus:I must learn this one truth, Jocasta!

Jocasta runs out of the scene, unable to contain her grief any longer.

The shepherd is found, and brought before Oedipus. At first, he refuses to speak, but under threat of death the shepherd reveals that Oedipus has killed the king and that his wife is actually his mother.

Rushing home to talk to his wife, when he arrives his wife had hung herself, upset with grief Oedipus takes her pins and blinds himself.