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    Oedipus the King
    Oedipus the King
    Oedipus the King
    Ebook78 pages46 minutes

    Oedipus the King

    By Sophocles

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    Skyros Publishing is dedicated to reproducing the finest books ever written and letting readers of all ages experience a classic for the first time or revisit a past favorite.


    Oedipus the King, a tragedy written by Sophocles, is chronologically the first play of the classic Oedipus Rex trilogy.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherCharles River Editors
    Release dateMar 22, 2018
    ISBN9781518334856
    Author

    Sophocles

    Sophocles is one of three ancient Greek tragedians whose plays have survived. His first plays were written later than or contemporary with those of Aeschylus, and earlier than or contemporary with those of Euripides.

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      Book preview

      Oedipus the King - Sophocles

      OEDIPUS THE KING

      ..................

      Sophocles
      Translated by F. Storr

      SKYROS PUBLISHING

      Thank you for reading. In the event that you appreciate this book, please consider sharing the good word(s) by leaving a review, or connect with the author.

      This book is a work of nonfiction and is intended to be factually accurate.

      All rights reserved. Aside from brief quotations for media coverage and reviews, no part of this book may be reproduced or distributed in any form without the author’s permission. Thank you for supporting authors and a diverse, creative culture by purchasing this book and complying with copyright laws.

      Copyright © 2015 by Sophocles

      Interior design by Pronoun

      Distribution by Pronoun

      TABLE OF CONTENTS

      Oedipus the King

      Argument

      Dramatis Personae

      Scene: Thebes. Before the Palace of Oedipus.

      OEDIPUS THE KING

      ..................

      ARGUMENT

      ..................

      TO LAIUS, KING OF THEBES, an oracle foretold that the child born to him by his queen Jocasta would slay his father and wed his mother. So when in time a son was born the infant’s feet were riveted together and he was left to die on Mount Cithaeron. But a shepherd found the babe and tended him, and delivered him to another shepherd who took him to his master, the King or Corinth. Polybus being childless adopted the boy, who grew up believing that he was indeed the King’s son. Afterwards doubting his parentage he inquired of the Delphic god and heard himself the weird declared before to Laius. Wherefore he fled from what he deemed his father’s house and in his flight he encountered and unwillingly slew his father Laius. Arriving at Thebes he answered the riddle of the Sphinx and the grateful Thebans made their deliverer king. So he reigned in the room of Laius, and espoused the widowed queen. Children were born to them and Thebes prospered under his rule, but again a grievous plague fell upon the city. Again the oracle was consulted and it bade them purge themselves of blood-guiltiness. Oedipus denounces the crime of which he is unaware, and undertakes to track out the criminal. Step by step it is brought home to him that he is the man. The closing scene reveals Jocasta slain by her own hand and Oedipus blinded by his own act and praying for death or exile.

      DRAMATIS PERSONAE

      ..................

      Oedipus.

      The Priest of Zeus.

      Creon.

      Chorus of Theban Elders.

      Teiresias.

      Jocasta.

      Messenger.

      Herd of Laius.

      Second Messenger.

      SCENE: THEBES. BEFORE THE PALACE OF OEDIPUS.

      ..................

      SUPPLIANTS OF ALL AGES ARE seated round the altar at the palace doors, at their head a Priest OF Zeus. To them enter Oedipus.

      Oedipus

      My children, latest born to Cadmus old,

      Why sit ye here as suppliants, in your hands

      Branches of olive filleted with wool?

      What means this reek of incense everywhere,

      And everywhere laments and litanies?

      Children, it were not meet that I should learn

      From others, and am hither come, myself,

      I Oedipus, your world-renowned king.

      Ho! aged sire, whose venerable locks

      Proclaim thee spokesman of this company,

      Explain your mood and purport. Is it dread

      Of ill that moves you or a boon ye crave?

      My zeal in your behalf ye cannot doubt;

      Ruthless indeed were I and obdurate

      If such petitioners as you I spurned.

      Priest

      Yea, Oedipus, my sovereign lord and king,

      Thou seest how both extremes of age besiege

      Thy palace altars — fledglings hardly winged,

      and greybeards bowed with years; priests, as am I

      of Zeus, and these the flower of our youth.

      Meanwhile, the common folk, with wreathed boughs

      Crowd our two market-places, or before

      Both shrines of Pallas congregate, or where

      Ismenus gives his oracles by fire.

      For, as thou seest thyself, our ship of State,

      Sore buffeted, can no more lift her head,

      Foundered beneath a weltering surge of

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