Religion, Fate and Prophecy
, Religion, Fate and Prophecy
“A priest of Zeus myself” First introduction to the gods in the play. Piety and religious belief are
common, and people are expected to believe in religion in Theban society.
“Kneeling before the two temples of queen Athena” Reference to Athenian society, who Athena was
the patron goddess of. Sophocles references Athenian society to remove the disconnect between the
contemporary Athenian audience and the actual play. This reinforces the fact that whilst the time and
setting of the play is quiet different from Athens, it still relates to Greek society and, the message and
morals of the play should be considered.
“Apollo sees the future in the ashes.” The first introduction to Apollo in the play and acts as a
reminder of the power he holds over all as the god which can dictate the future. “See the future in the
ashes” presents the power of Apollo, and how there is hope in the fate the Apollo gives, regardless of
how it may seem like “ashes” – or the end. This foreshadows the end of the play, where whilst
Oedipus is forced out of power and exiled from Thebes, the future of Thebes is saved and the plague
ends – thus allowing the “future” to rise from the ashes”
“I sent Creon, my wife’s own brother, to Delphi – Apollo the Prophet’s oracle- to learn what I might do
or say to save our city.” Oedipus is willing to consult Apollo about the truth. This presents Oedipus as
initially being pious enough to consult his religion in times of suffering, as shown by his reaction to the
plagues in Thebes.
“What were the god’s words?” Oedipus anticipates the message from Creon, which shows his faith in
religion, which does set his character up as a character who will ultimately have a tragic downfall.
“Drive the corruption from the land, don’t harbour it any longer, past all cure, don’t nurse it in your soil-
root it out” Links to miasma which is the corruption that Thebes was plunged into because of
Oedipus. This links to the theme of religion as those suffering from miasma were viewed poorly by the
gods, so people attempted to purify the miasma from themselves from purification processes. “Past
all cure” shows that Oedipus’ sin of killing his father and having an incestuous relationship with his
mother cannot be purified, and instead, it had to be driven out. This presents how extreme the
impurity Oedipus’ actions had been for Theban society.
“Whose fate does Apollo bring to light?” Apollo is the god of prophecy, and he shows the fate of
Oedipus, so there is some irony involved because Oedipus asks this. Also evoke some pathos as he
does seem quite pious due to him bringing up Apollo constantly, which is tragic since his fate was
given by Apollo.
“Apollo’s champion too.” Normally, this would seem inspirational for a Greek audience as Oedipus
seems dedicated and appreciative of Apollo, however we know that Oedipus has been given a tragic
fate by Apollo without having any control. This presents how the Greek gods will inflict harm onto
ignorant people who do not have any control over their life. This is because of the power imbalance
between humans and the gods. Sophocles reminds humans of the dangers of forgetting the power
imbalance between humans and gods, and to make sure to believe in the gods in fear of the possible
rage that they may have against them.
In the parados, the chorus calls on the gods to assist them with the plagues. They call on the “great
welcome voice of Zeus”, “Apollo”, “Athena” and “Artemis” This presents the desperation that the
people of Thebes had, as were desperate for the gods to assist them in their situation. This presents
, Religion, Fate and Prophecy
“A priest of Zeus myself” First introduction to the gods in the play. Piety and religious belief are
common, and people are expected to believe in religion in Theban society.
“Kneeling before the two temples of queen Athena” Reference to Athenian society, who Athena was
the patron goddess of. Sophocles references Athenian society to remove the disconnect between the
contemporary Athenian audience and the actual play. This reinforces the fact that whilst the time and
setting of the play is quiet different from Athens, it still relates to Greek society and, the message and
morals of the play should be considered.
“Apollo sees the future in the ashes.” The first introduction to Apollo in the play and acts as a
reminder of the power he holds over all as the god which can dictate the future. “See the future in the
ashes” presents the power of Apollo, and how there is hope in the fate the Apollo gives, regardless of
how it may seem like “ashes” – or the end. This foreshadows the end of the play, where whilst
Oedipus is forced out of power and exiled from Thebes, the future of Thebes is saved and the plague
ends – thus allowing the “future” to rise from the ashes”
“I sent Creon, my wife’s own brother, to Delphi – Apollo the Prophet’s oracle- to learn what I might do
or say to save our city.” Oedipus is willing to consult Apollo about the truth. This presents Oedipus as
initially being pious enough to consult his religion in times of suffering, as shown by his reaction to the
plagues in Thebes.
“What were the god’s words?” Oedipus anticipates the message from Creon, which shows his faith in
religion, which does set his character up as a character who will ultimately have a tragic downfall.
“Drive the corruption from the land, don’t harbour it any longer, past all cure, don’t nurse it in your soil-
root it out” Links to miasma which is the corruption that Thebes was plunged into because of
Oedipus. This links to the theme of religion as those suffering from miasma were viewed poorly by the
gods, so people attempted to purify the miasma from themselves from purification processes. “Past
all cure” shows that Oedipus’ sin of killing his father and having an incestuous relationship with his
mother cannot be purified, and instead, it had to be driven out. This presents how extreme the
impurity Oedipus’ actions had been for Theban society.
“Whose fate does Apollo bring to light?” Apollo is the god of prophecy, and he shows the fate of
Oedipus, so there is some irony involved because Oedipus asks this. Also evoke some pathos as he
does seem quite pious due to him bringing up Apollo constantly, which is tragic since his fate was
given by Apollo.
“Apollo’s champion too.” Normally, this would seem inspirational for a Greek audience as Oedipus
seems dedicated and appreciative of Apollo, however we know that Oedipus has been given a tragic
fate by Apollo without having any control. This presents how the Greek gods will inflict harm onto
ignorant people who do not have any control over their life. This is because of the power imbalance
between humans and the gods. Sophocles reminds humans of the dangers of forgetting the power
imbalance between humans and gods, and to make sure to believe in the gods in fear of the possible
rage that they may have against them.
In the parados, the chorus calls on the gods to assist them with the plagues. They call on the “great
welcome voice of Zeus”, “Apollo”, “Athena” and “Artemis” This presents the desperation that the
people of Thebes had, as were desperate for the gods to assist them in their situation. This presents
