Oedipus

A detailed Summary of Oedipus


Oedipus and the Justification of the Plague

"The plague spreads everywhere, a stain seeping through our streets, our fields, our houses...it can't be put out, it can't be stopped (745.)" Oedipus the King is looked upon as the savior by the loyal Thebans during the distressful time of a roaring plague. Oedipus feels the pain of his people and declares, "My whole being wails and breaks for this city, for myself, for all of you (746.)" His hopes lie in his brother's return from Delphi, where he went to question the Oracle for answers on the plagues derivation. Kreon returns with news for the king, "A man must be banished. Banished or killed...the plague is blood, blood breaking over Thebes (747.)" Oedipus seems confused and demands to know who the man is and what basis his capture and banishment stand upon. Kreon quickly explains an old crime to the former King Laios went unsolved and his murderer(s) is the only remedy for this "deadly black stain spreading everywhere, poisoning the earth (747.)"

Ironically, King Laios was on his way to Delphi on his last days at the throne. With no witnesses but one to the deadly crime, Oedipus must solve a jigsaw p


Fate is said to be obstinate. Fate can be manipulated through man's work like the two kings attempted, but it is never changed, just simply delayed. The works of the two Kings Laios and Polybos were successful in attempting to eliminate the fate of the dreadful prophecy but not in the purging of the actual prophecy for it came back in the fury of the plague.

The plague eliminates the "stain" from Thebes, as it provokes the finality of

Oedipus may be the father of the plague, but not the cause. The plague is the crucial piece in the realization of a prophecy. Oedipus is the missing link in the chain of events, which will erase all that he knows about who he is, complete the prophecy, and ultimately save his people. Oedipus is the origin of the plague; Oedipus is the sought after murderer; and Oedipus is the only savior to his people. The beloved King killed his father, slept with his mother, and fathered his sisters in fulfillment of the prophecy.

the murder of Laios. After the Oracle ensues, the plague ends the cycle of incest, which in turn preserves identity to the surviving generations. The plague surfaces the man in Oedipus. The Chorus r

Some common words found in the essay are:
Little Oedipus, Laios Delphi, Oedipus King, Oedipus Chorus, Laios Polybos, King Laios, Justification Plague, Laios Oracle, Tragically Oedipus, plague oedipus, loyal thebans, father plague, save people, plague plague, oedipus reader, king laios,

Approximate Word count = 787
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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