Oedipus the King Summary Part 1/2
Summary of Oedipus the King
The first half of the play, “Oedipus the King” is mainly about the King of Thebes and his quest to save his land from a plague that has caused serious damage. Oedipus became king due to his earlier triumph of saving Thebes from the curse of the Sphinx. His people now rely on him to once again save the land from its misery.
Oedipus, as he walks out of his palace, is approached by a group of local priests who are surrounded by the suffering citizens of Thebes. A priest goes on to explain that Thebes has been struck by a plague and citizens are dying. Oedipus asks why the citizens are gathering around his palace and the priest responds that the city has lost all hope, and is now counting on Oedipus to save it. Oedipus makes it clear that he understands what Thebes is going through and explains how he has done all that he can do to solve the city’s problem. He says that he has already sent Creon, his brother in law, to the oracle at Delphi in an attempt to find out the cause of the plague.
Creon soon arrives with a message from the oracle and asks Oedipus whether or not he wants to hear the message in private. Oedipus tells him that he would like all of Thebes to hear. Creon goes on to explain to all of Thebes what he had heard. He says that the god Apollo spoke through the oracle, saying that Laius, the man who was king of Thebes before Oedipus, was murdered. He then states that the murderer is in Thebes and must be driven out in order for the plague to come to an end. Creon tells the story of Laius’s murder and Oedipus begins to question why the people of Thebes made no attempt to find the murderers. Creon explains to him that at time of Laius’s murder, the people were more concerned about the curse of the Sphinx. After hearing this, Oedipus feels that it is necessary for him to take it upon himself and solve the murder. +
A chorus enters, calling on the gods to save Thebes. Oedipus returns and confidently says to stop praying
The first half of the play, “Oedipus the King” is mainly about the King of Thebes and his quest to save his land from a plague that has caused serious damage. Oedipus became king due to his earlier triumph of saving Thebes from the curse of the Sphinx. His people now rely on him to once again save the land from its misery.
Oedipus, as he walks out of his palace, is approached by a group of local priests who are surrounded by the suffering citizens of Thebes. A priest goes on to explain that Thebes has been struck by a plague and citizens are dying. Oedipus asks why the citizens are gathering around his palace and the priest responds that the city has lost all hope, and is now counting on Oedipus to save it. Oedipus makes it clear that he understands what Thebes is going through and explains how he has done all that he can do to solve the city’s problem. He says that he has already sent Creon, his brother in law, to the oracle at Delphi in an attempt to find out the cause of the plague.
Creon soon arrives with a message from the oracle and asks Oedipus whether or not he wants to hear the message in private. Oedipus tells him that he would like all of Thebes to hear. Creon goes on to explain to all of Thebes what he had heard. He says that the god Apollo spoke through the oracle, saying that Laius, the man who was king of Thebes before Oedipus, was murdered. He then states that the murderer is in Thebes and must be driven out in order for the plague to come to an end. Creon tells the story of Laius’s murder and Oedipus begins to question why the people of Thebes made no attempt to find the murderers. Creon explains to him that at time of Laius’s murder, the people were more concerned about the curse of the Sphinx. After hearing this, Oedipus feels that it is necessary for him to take it upon himself and solve the murder. +
A chorus enters, calling on the gods to save Thebes. Oedipus returns and confidently says to stop praying