The chorus sings an ode, affirming its faith in Zeus and divine justice, but expressing doubt about Apollo and his oracles (862-910).Ī messenger from Corinth arrives and announces that Polybus is dead of natural causes Oedipus and Jocasta gleefully accept this as evidence that the oracle which said Oedipus would kill his father was false (910-975). But Oedipus still does not know the whole truth he and Jocasta will wait to speak with Laius' servant, who witnessed the murder (770-861).

Oedipus reveals that while a young man at Corinth he heard rumours that he was not the son of Polybus and Merope Apollo's oracle told him he would kill his father and have children by his mother on the way to Thebes, he quarreled with and killed a man who (he now realizes) was Laius. Reminded by the reference to the crossroads, Oedipus questions Jocasta about Laius, remembering an old man he killed at a crossroads, and beginning to realize what really happened (725-770). As evidence of the unreliability of oracles, Jocasta tells how Laius was told that that his son would kill him, and how he exposed the baby boy on a hillside the oracle must have been false, because Laius was killed at a crossroads by robbers (707-725). Creon leaves, and Oedipus explains the situation to Jocasta (635-706). Jocasta and the chorus convince Oedipus to spare Creon. Jocasta arrives, interrupting Oedipus' threats against Creon (616-634). In his own defense, Creon claims he would rather enjoy power by proxy than be king himself and live in fear of plots (583-615). In a tense stichomythy, Oedipus tries to learn more about the crime, and wonders why Teiresias did not name him at once, if he knew (543-582). Oedipus repeats the charge, adding that he thinks Creon is the killer of Laius. The chorus sings an ode musing on the identity of the murderer without any evidence against Oedipus, the chorus pledges not to condemn him, since although the gods are infallible, prophets make mistakes (462-512).Ĭreon returns to defend himself from the charge of treason. Finally he plainly states that Oedipus has murdered his father and married his mother (403-461). The seer hints darkly about what the future holds for Oedipus. Teiresias defends himself, suggesting that Oedipus is figuratively blind now, and will be literally blind later. Teiresias names Oedipus as the pollution, and hints at ongoing crimes Oedipus does not believe him, and theorizes that Creon has put Teiresias up to this accusation as a way to get rid of Oedipus and rule Thebes himself (349-403). Oedipus questions Teiresias, who clearly knows something, but is reluctant to speak. The chorus and Oedipus agree that they should consult Teiresias, the blind seer (276-299). Oedipus calls upon the citizens of Thebes to provide information about the murderer he curses the killer and those who shelter him (216-275). The chorus (old men of Thebes) sings an ode invoking the aid of Apollo, Athena, and Artemis the ravages of the plague are described, and Ares, god of war, is blamed (151-215). Oedipus vows to find the murderer and expel the pollution (87-150). The oracle also said that the murderer is the one who killed Laius, Oedipus' predecessor as king of Thebes. Creon explains that the gods are angry at Thebes because a murderer is making the city ritually unclean, causing a pollution. Oedipus questions Creon about the oracle. Creon is seen returning at that moment (58-86). Oedipus answers that he knows about the plague he has sent Creon, his brother-in-law (and uncle, though he does not know this) to Delphi to ask the oracle what to do. The priest replies that the city of Thebes is in the grip of a plague because Oedipus saved the city from the Sphinx before, and is especially favored by the gods, they are asking him for help (1-57).

Oedipus, hearing that there is a group of suppliants outside the palace, comes out and asks the the priest, their leader, what the trouble is. Oedipus Tyrannus Sophocles' Oedipus Tyrannus

The blind prophet in oedipus