Oedipus Rex, Sophocles: Plot Summary
Table of Contents
The timeless tragedy of "Oedipus Rex" unfolds against the backdrop of a plagued Thebes, where barren fields and desolate women cast a shadow over the city. The play opens with King Oedipus sending his brother-in-law, Creon, to consult the Oracle of Apollo for a remedy. The oracle's response lays a heavy burden on Thebes: the plague will cease only when the murderer of the former king, Laius, is uncovered and cast out. Struck by the urgency of the situation, Oedipus vows to find the killer and bring justice to the suffering city. The Enigmatic Prophet and the Unveiling of Truth As the Chorus of Theban citizens whispers words of wisdom, Oedipus's determination leads him to the blind prophet Teiresias. However, Teiresias is reluctant to reveal what he knows, warning Oedipus of the pain that truth can bring. Driven by his relentless pursuit, Oedipus coerces Teiresias into divulging the devastating truth: Oedipus himself is the murderer of Laius, and his marriage to Jocasta…