Oedipus at Colonus

A detailed Summary of Oedipus at Colonus

Sophocles was a Greek playwright who lived during the 5th century b.c. The Oedipus Cycle is one of his most famous works; the trilogy of plays traces the ill-fated life of a noble blooded man and his descendants. Oedipus at Colonus is the second installment of the set. The play opens with Oedipus in a state of exile from his homeland of Thebes. At this point in his life Oedipus is blind due to the actions of his own hands. The relationship between blindness and exile is explored throughout the play through the actions and words of the characters. Sophocles suggests in Oedipus at Colonus that Oedipus' exile lead the people who interact with him to be blind at seeing him for who he is. From the people of Colonus to Oedipus' own son and brother-in-law, the people Oedipus interacts with only see his strength and power when he holds a status of citizenship in society.

As the play begins, Oedipus and Antigone stop to rest on a section of land. Oedipus believes this land to be the place where he will remain until his death. The citizens of Colonus arrive go this place to inform Oedipus that his desire to remain on this land is impossible because it is sacred to the town. The townspeople are immediately influenced by Oedipus' a

Theseus is uncharacteristic of the other characters in the play through his interaction with Oedipus. Before becoming King of Athens, Theseus himself was an exile. His former state leaves Theseus with an open-mind towards others in a state of exile. Theseus hears Oedipus' story of his past deeds and what good fortunes he could bring to Athens in the future. "Who would reject goodwill in such a man?" (Green and Lattimore 110). Theseus puts his trust in Oedipus and grants him citizenship in the land of Colonus.

As Oedipus rests on the sacred land, Creon, his brother-in-law and a man of power in Thebes, comes to speak with him. Creon and the people of Thebes wish for Oedipus to return to a place just outside of Thebes in order to prosper from the blessing Oedipus' death will bring to the country that buries him. Oedipus is able to see Creon for his deceitful self, "And now again, when you see this city friendly to my staying, when you see all the people friendly, you try to tear me out" (Green and Lattimore 115). Oedipus is a citizen of Colonus, he is no longer a wanderer due to his exile from Thebes.

Oedipus' daughters are returned and Creon returns to Thebes. Not long after his departure, Polyneices, Oedipus' eldest son, comes to speak with Oedipus. Polyneices ruled over Thebes after his father's downfall and he was the one who forced Oedipus into exile. He comes to Colonus asking Oedipus for his blessing about Polyneices' need to storm into Thebes and reclaim the crown that was stolen from him by his younger brother. In asking Oedipus, however, Polyneices has little respect for his father.

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Approximate Word count = 1090
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: History