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Oedipus Rex and Oedipus at Colonus: Fate, Free Will, and the Search for Meaning

Herb Simmons

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Published in Oedipus The King And Oedipus At Colonus: Greek Latin And English

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Oedipus Rex

Oedipus Rex is one of the most famous tragedies ever written. It was written by Sophocles in the 5th century BC and tells the story of Oedipus, a king who unknowingly kills his father and marries his mother.

Oedipus the King and Oedipus at Colonus: Greek, Latin and English

by Lauri Hamalainen

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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The play begins with Oedipus receiving a prophecy that he will kill his father and marry his mother. Horrified, Oedipus flees from his home in Corinth to avoid fulfilling the prophecy. However, fate has a way of catching up with him.

On his journey, Oedipus encounters a man at a crossroads who insults him. In a fit of rage, Oedipus kills the man, not realizing that he is his own father. Oedipus then continues on his journey and eventually arrives in Thebes, where he solves the riddle of the Sphinx and becomes king.

As king, Oedipus marries Jocasta, who is actually his own mother. Oedipus and Jocasta have four children together: two sons, Eteocles and Polynices, and two daughters, Antigone and Ismene.

However, Oedipus's happiness is short-lived. A plague strikes Thebes, and Oedipus sends for the prophet Tiresias to find out the cause. Tiresias reveals that Oedipus is the cause of the plague because he has killed his father and married his mother.

Horrified by this revelation, Oedipus blinds himself and goes into exile. He is accompanied by his daughter Antigone, who remains loyal to him despite his crimes.

Oedipus Rex is a powerful and moving tragedy that explores the themes of fate, free will, and the search for meaning. The play raises questions about whether we are in control of our own destiny or whether we are simply pawns in the hands of fate. It also explores the importance of family and loyalty, and the consequences of our actions.

Oedipus at Colonus

Oedipus at Colonus is a sequel to Oedipus Rex that was also written by Sophocles in the 5th century BC. The play tells the story of Oedipus's final days as he wanders in exile.

The play begins with Oedipus and Antigone arriving at Colonus, a village near Athens. Oedipus is blind and frail, and he is nearing the end of his life. He is met by the local king, Theseus, who offers him protection and sanctuary.

However, Oedipus's past catches up with him. His sons, Eteocles and Polynices, arrive at Colonus and demand that he return to Thebes. Oedipus refuses, and he curses his sons, prophesying that they will kill each other in a battle for the throne.

Oedipus eventually dies at Colonus, and his spirit is said to haunt the area. The play ends with Antigone and Ismene burying their father and mourning his death.

Oedipus at Colonus is a moving and poetic play that explores the themes of fate, free will, and the search for meaning. The play also explores the importance of family and loyalty, and the consequences of our actions.

The Oedipus Myth

The Oedipus myth is one of the most famous and enduring stories in Western literature. It has been told and retold for centuries, and it has been adapted into countless plays, operas, and films.

The myth of Oedipus is a complex and multifaceted story that can be interpreted in many different ways. However, at its core, the myth is a story about the human condition. It is a story about our struggles with fate, free will, and the search for meaning.

The Oedipus myth teaches us that we cannot always control our destiny, but we can control how we respond to it. We can choose to face our challenges with courage and dignity, or we can let them destroy us.

The Oedipus myth is a powerful and inspiring story that has something to teach us all. It is a story that will continue to be told and retold for generations to come.

Oedipus the King and Oedipus at Colonus: Greek, Latin and English

by Lauri Hamalainen

5 out of 5