Oedipus:
Oedipus rex summary-
The Plague and the Oracle
● The play opens in Thebes, suffering from a plague.
● King Oedipus vows to save the city.
● The Oracle at Delphi says the plague will end when the murderer of the former king, Laius, is
found and punished.
Oedipus Investigates
● Oedipus begins a search for the killer of Laius, unaware he is seeking himself.
● He curses the unknown murderer, unknowingly condemning himself.
Tiresias' Revelation
● The blind prophet Tiresias tells Oedipus he is the killer.
● Oedipus refuses to believe him and accuses him and Creon (his brother-in-law) of conspiracy.
Clues from the Past
● A messenger arrives from Corinth, saying Oedipus’ adoptive father has died.
● The messenger reveals that Oedipus was adopted.
● A shepherd confirms Oedipus was the abandoned child of Laius and Jocasta, taken to
Corinth as a baby.
The Truth is Revealed
● Oedipus realizes he fulfilled the prophecy:
He killed his father (Laius) and married his mother (Jocasta).
● Jocasta hangs herself.
● Oedipus blinds himself in horror and guilt.
The Aftermath
Oedipus rex summary-
The Plague and the Oracle
● The play opens in Thebes, suffering from a plague.
● King Oedipus vows to save the city.
● The Oracle at Delphi says the plague will end when the murderer of the former king, Laius, is
found and punished.
Oedipus Investigates
● Oedipus begins a search for the killer of Laius, unaware he is seeking himself.
● He curses the unknown murderer, unknowingly condemning himself.
Tiresias' Revelation
● The blind prophet Tiresias tells Oedipus he is the killer.
● Oedipus refuses to believe him and accuses him and Creon (his brother-in-law) of conspiracy.
Clues from the Past
● A messenger arrives from Corinth, saying Oedipus’ adoptive father has died.
● The messenger reveals that Oedipus was adopted.
● A shepherd confirms Oedipus was the abandoned child of Laius and Jocasta, taken to
Corinth as a baby.
The Truth is Revealed
● Oedipus realizes he fulfilled the prophecy:
He killed his father (Laius) and married his mother (Jocasta).
● Jocasta hangs herself.
● Oedipus blinds himself in horror and guilt.
The Aftermath
