Oedipus the King

Written by: SophoclesModified by Megan Chrobak (Level 1)

Scene 1:

Oedipus: The old priest and some citizens are coming, they want me to save the city from the plague to do this I must find the murderer of King Laius and save the city.

Scene 2:

Greek Chorus: Save us gods – Zeus, Apollo, Athena and Artemis. Save us from this horrible plague.

Scene 3:

Oedipus: People of Thebes if you know anything about the murder of Laius come forward so I can find and exile him.

Tiresius: Oedipus – you are the murderer.

Oedipus: It can’t be possible – leave!

Scene 4:

Greek Chorus: As loyal subjects of King Oedipus we are worried about what the prophet’s story means for our city.

Scene 5:

Queen Jacosta: The prophecy is a lie Prophecies are never true, I was once told that my husband would be killed by my son. It never happened because my son was left on the mountain.

Scene 6:

Greek Chorus: We reject the idea of human pride. We give glory to the gods and to destiny.

Scene 7:

Oedipus: The parents who raised me have died of natural causes, I am feeling less worried.

Messenger: They were not your real parents.

Jacosta (to herself): Oh no, I am worried that Oedipus is the baby I abandoned.

Scene 8:

Greek Chorus: We are joyful for Mount Cithaeron where our king was found.

Scene 9:

Shepherd: You are the abandoned son of Jacosta and Laius I saved you and you were raised by others.

Oedipus: I did murder my father and marry my mother. I am a horrible criminal.

Scene 10:

Greek Chorus: Oedipus has fallen apart after discovering his true past.

Scene 11:

Messenger: The queen has committed suicide after learning Oedipus is her son. Oedipus has taken her pins and blinded himself. He asks to be banished or killed.

Scene 12:

Greek Chorus: We are sad at the downfall of King Oedipus.

Citations

King Oedipus – Sophocles

King Oedipus – Line Cliff Notes