Detailed Summary of Oedipus Rex By: Sophocles
Detailed Summary
Classic Play by Sophocles
1. Introduction
Sophocles’ masterpiece play “Oedipus Rex” is a shining star of ancient Greek literature that is still taught to English literature students today. The play begins in the city of Thebes, where a plague epidemic is raging. The inhabitants of the city are in great distress. Crops are being destroyed, herds of animals are dying, and people are dying of disease.
2. Appeal to the King
The people of Thebes come to their king, Oedipus, with a plea to save them from this terrible situation.
King Oedipus has proven himself to be a brilliant ruler. He had saved Thebes from the hands of the Sphinx in the past and because of this, he sits in the hearts of the people.
Oedipus hears the painful voices of his subjects and tells himself that it is his responsibility to end this misery. He promises the citizens that he will solve the problem. Oedipus sends his relatives on various missions to gather information. One of them is Creon, the king’s uncle. Creon has to go to the temple of Apollo to seek guidance from the god.
This is a very important part of the play because it is from here that the real direction of the story begins to change. Through this request, Sophocles shows how a great ruler truly cares for his citizens and is willing to take any step to save them.
3. The King’s Reply
When Oedipus hears the request of his subjects, he immediately calls for action. The king tells his people that he is most sorry for this cruel situation. Oedipus explains that he has already sent Creon to the temple of Apollo.
The king is ready to use his power and his wisdom. He swears that whoever caused this disease in the city will be found and punished. This shows Oedipus' great courage and sense of responsibility.
Oedipus asks his citizens to come forward if anyone knows anything about the crime. He also says that he does not want to punish anyone, but rather wants to find out the crime himself. This answer shows both Oedipus's just thinking and his sovereign authority.
He explains what evil is in the city and how he will eliminate it. Oedipus's answer gives hope to the people of Thebes. They trust their king and believe that Oedipus will help them.
4. The Oracle's Directions
When Creon returns from the temple of Apollo, he brings a very important message from the god. The Oracle has said that the disease that has spread in the city is due to the death of Laius. Laius was the first king of Thebes who died a few years ago.
The Oracle's message is that Laius' murderer has not yet been punished. Until the murderer is found and punished, the city will be plagued with disease and people will continue to die.
Oedipus is very sensitive to this. He swears that he will find and punish Laius’ murderer. At this time, Oedipus himself does not know that he is Laius’ murderer.
This part is a very important point in the play. From here, Sophocles has created a great tension. The readers know that Oedipus himself may be the murderer, but Oedipus does not know this yet. This is Sophocles’ use of dramatic irony
5. Oedipus’ Reaction
When Oedipus hears the message from the Oracle, he immediately takes action. He is very angry that a murderer is hiding in his city. Oedipus declares that he will definitely find the murderer.
The king’s reaction is very harsh and decisive. He swears that he will punish the murderer even if he is related to his own blood. The words that come out of Oedipus’s mouth are very harsh.
They say that the city has become more dangerous than an external enemy if a murderer is hiding here. Oedipus explains that he himself is in danger because a murderer who does not kill his king will kill no one.
This response shows Oedipus's courage and just thinking. But at the same time, it deepens the dramatic irony. The reader is left wondering whether Oedipus himself will discover his crime.
6. Oedipus’ Proclamation
With his anger and decision, Oedipus issues a formal proclamation. This proclamation is very harsh and most dangerous. Oedipus says that whoever will inform on the murderer of Laius, he will be rewarded with a large sum of gold.
But at the same time, Oedipus also announces that anyone who is harboring the murderer will also be punished. This proclamation is very harsh and everyone knows that Oedipus is serious about his words.
Oedipus’ proclamation creates a huge crisis. Oedipus himself has put a trap on his head. Anyone who knows the truth about Oedipus now risks declaring it.
This proclamation is a turning point in the drama. From here, Oedipus is heading towards his own destruction. Sophocles has shown here how a person can cause his own destruction by not knowing.
7. The Reluctant Prophet
There is a blind prophet named Teiresias in the city who is very respected and believes that he receives news from God. Oedipus sends for this prophet to tell him the truth.
When Teiresias comes to Oedipus, he speaks very reluctantly. The prophet knows that the truth is very painful. Teiresias says that he does not want to tell the truth.
Oedipus pressures the prophet. He says that if the prophet knows something, he should tell it immediately. Oedipus' anger grows when Teiresias remains silent.
Finally, Teiresias explains that Oedipus himself is the cause of the uncleanliness in the city. These words are very simple but very powerful. For the first time, Oedipus suspects that he himself may be the murderer.
8. The Clash
When Teiresias says this, a huge conflict breaks out between Oedipus and the prophet. Oedipus, who was still very confident in himself, now becomes very angry.
Oedipus asks Teiresias if he is also involved in this conspiracy? Is he trying to throw Oedipus into hell with Creon? Oedipus' words are very harsh.
Teiresias also defends himself but he does not listen to any more words. He falls silent and says that Oedipus will discover the truth on his own.
This conflict is very important in the drama. From here Oedipus's doubts and doubts begin and he sets out to find the truth.
9. The Reaction of the Chorus
The Chorus, the singers, play a very important role in the drama. When the conflict between Oedipus and Teiresias ends, the Chorus expresses their thoughts.
The Chorus says that they do not understand what Teiresias was saying. Can Oedipus really be a murderer? This question arises in the Chorus' mind.
The Chorus praises Oedipus. They remember how Oedipus destroyed the Sphinx. They say that such a magnificent ruler cannot be a murderer.
But at the same time, there is a fear in the Chorus. They think that perhaps there is something that is not apparent. These words of the Chorus create further conflict in the drama.
10. The Second Confrontation
As Oedipus continues his search, he finds another clue. Jocasta, Oedipus' wife, tells him that Laius was murdered by a traveler, not in the city.
But Oedipus remembers that he himself had killed a man in a traveler's house in the past. This suspicion creates a great fear in Oedipus' heart.
A new conflict now begins between Oedipus and Jocasta. Oedipus asks Jocasta where Laius was killed? How many people were there? What did he look like?
Jocasta finds these questions implausible, but she answers them. Thus, gradually the truth begins to emerge.
11. Intervention
When Oedipus' truth is about to be revealed, Jocasta becomes suspicious. She begs Oedipus not to ask any more. It is better to remain a secret than to answer some questions.
Jocasta says that it would be too painful for her to know. But Oedipus insists on knowing the truth. They need to know about themselves.
Jocasta becomes desperate and realizes that perhaps everything is true. She is afraid and says that it is too dangerous to know. But Oedipus continues his search.
12. Belief in Oracles
Oracles play a huge role in this play. In Greek philosophy, it was believed that the news that comes from the gods is absolutely true.
Both Oedipus and Jocasta are initially very impressed by the Oracle's news. But as the truth comes out, they realize that the Oracle was absolutely right.
Jocasta initially tries to misunderstand the Oracle. She says that perhaps the Oracle was wrong. But as the truth comes out, she is forced to admit that the Oracle was absolutely right.
This is a very important theme of the play. Sophocles has shown here that no one can escape the will of God. No matter how hard one tries, the Oracle's news comes true.
13. Oedipus’ Fears
As the truth draws near, a great fear arises within Oedipus. He fears that he himself may be the murderer of Laius.
Oedipus remembers that he killed a man on a journey in the past. What if that man was Laius?
Oedipus’ fears have an even greater fear. He fears that he may have married his mother. This fear is deep and disturbing.
He expresses his fear but does not stop his search. Oedipus is desperate to know the truth.
14. Oedipus’ Past
Understanding Oedipus’ past is essential to understanding the play. Oedipus was born into very unfortunate circumstances.
Laius, the king of Thebes, was told by an oracle that his son would kill him. In this fear, Laius threw the newborn Oedipus into the forest to die.
But Oedipus was saved. A shepherd raised him. When Oedipus grew up, he did not know his past. He thought he was an ordinary person.
Later, when Oedipus destroyed the Sphinx, he was given the throne of Thebes. And he married Jocasta, the widow of Laius.
This past is very important because it is in it that Oedipus’ true identity is revealed.
15. Choral Ode
In the Choral Ode, Sophocles tries to deepen the theme of the drama. In a particular Choral Ode, the Chorus expresses his thoughts.
The Chorus wonders what is the fate of man. Can man escape his fate? This is a very deep philosophical question of the play.
The Chorus explains that Oedipus is in great danger. They sense that something great is about to happen.
This Choral Ode comes at a special point in the drama where everything is about to become very clear. These words of the Chorus create a special tone in the drama.
16. Jocasta’s Prayer
When Jocasta realizes that everything is probably true, she becomes very desperate. She prays to God.
Jocasta asks God to save her. She says that if everything is true, then they should be put to death. She wants to avoid this humiliation.
This prayer is very painful. Jocasta is both a mother and a wife. If the truth comes out, both relationships will be broken.
Jocasta’s prayer is a very important moment in the drama. This prayer shows how desperate she is.
17. Jocasta’s Dismay
As the truth continues to come out, Jocasta’s dismay continues to grow. She repeatedly begs Oedipus not to know any more.
Jocasta explains in her own words that there are some things we cannot know. There are some secrets that must always remain secrets.
She tells Oedipus to stop his investigation. But Oedipus is determined to find the truth. He does not listen.
This anxiety of Jocasta is very prominent in the play. She is a woman who cannot escape her fate.
18. The Interrogation
When everything is about to come to light, a huge interrogation begins. Oedipus questions various witnesses.
A witness who tells Oedipus that he himself may have been the murderer of Laius. These words are very simple but very powerful.
On the other hand, a shepherd who tells him that he was the one who saved the newborn Oedipus. This information connects everything.
This interrogation is very important in the play. From here everything becomes clear.
19. The End
When everything becomes clear, the end of the play is very painful. Oedipus realizes that he himself is the murderer of Laius. And he is married to his mother.
Oedipus' reaction is very intense. He wants to punish himself. This feeling is very painful.
Jocasta, who has understood everything, takes her own life. This is the most painful moment of the play.
Oedipus puts out his eyes. He sees his blindness as a kind of punishment.
This ending is Sophocles'
great achievement. He has told a story that still makes us think thousands of years later.