17: Oedipus

Question 1

Where is the myth of Oedipus told

Answer 1

• Sophocles’ 3 plays sometimes known as The Theban Trilogy
  1. Oedipus Tyrannus aka Oedipus Rex or Oedipus the King
  2. Antigone
  3. Oedipus at Colonus

Question 2

How is Oedipus raised and how he got his name

Answer 2

• He gets a spike through his ankles from Laius and gets put on Mt. Cithaeron but is rescued by Corinthian shepher
• Raised by King and Queen Queen of Corinth –> Polybus and Merope
• They name him Oedipus: “swollen foot”

Question 2

Who is Laius and what did he do

Answer 2

• Great grandson of Cadmus
• He broke the bond of Xenia: guest host relationship because he raped the hosts’ (Pelops’) son named Chrysippus
• Pelops pronounces curse upon Laius
• Laius returns from exile and becomes the King of Thebes
• Laius marries Jocasta and has a son named Oedipus
• When he consults the Delphic oracle it says he is destined to die at the hands of his own son as punishment for violating Xenia

Question 3

Oedipus’ and the oracle

Answer 3

• He is mocked for being adopted so he consults the Delphic Oracle
• It says his fate is to murder father and marry mother so he vows to never return home so he travels to Thebes
• On the way to Thebes he kills nobleman and attendants, all but 1
• Oedipus unaware that he actually killed his father so first part of oracle fulfilled
• After he solves the S[hinx’s riddle, he becomes the King of Thebes and marries Jocasta, fulfilling the oracle

Question 4

Oedipus and the Sphinx

Answer 4

• Sphinx: “Strangler” who devours anyone who cant answer the riddle: “What is quadruped, biped, and triped?”
• Oedipus solves the riddle: answer is human. 4 as infant, 2 as adult, 3 with cane in old age
• Sphinzx outraged it commits suicide by hurling itself from Theban Acropolis

Question 5

Oedipian Variations

Answer 5

Three Versions total. The other two variants:
1. Homer (Odyssey)
* Marries Epicasta, a Homeric name for Jocasta who discovers truth of oracle so she hangs herself
2. Homer (Iliad)
* Oedipus dies in battle and marries a different wife
* Sophocles’ Oedipus Tyrannus: the popular one

Question 6

Who are Oedipus and Jocasta’s children

Answer 6

• 2 sons: Polyneices and Eteocles
• 2 daughters: Antigone and Ismene

Question 7

Unraveling of the truth with Oedipus’ oracle

Answer 7

Plague strikes Thebes and King because Laius’ murder is never solved:
* Oracle of Apollo is consulted and he gives pollution for failure to solve the murder
* Oedipus’ curse: upon anyone harboring murderer
* Messenger from Corinth reveals King Polybus is dead so Oedipus becomes king who is hesitant. It is revealed that Oedipus is not the biological son of Polybus and Merope
* Jocasta realizes the truth and hangs herself
* Oedipus finds her dead and blinds himself

Question 8

Lesson of oedipus myth

Answer 8

Will of the Gods
* Inevitability of fate
* Personal responsibility