Oedipus Rex Study Guide

A terrible sickness plaguing Thebes, causing death and suffering.

The people of Thebes implore Oedipus to find the cause of the plague and end their suffering.

Oedipus sent Creon to consult the Oracle at Delphi, seeking guidance on the plague.

The Oracle at Delphi revealed that the plague is caused by the unpunished murder of King Laius.

Oedipus vows to uncover the truth about King Laius' murder and bring the murderer to justice.

The Chorus is a group of Theban elders who comment on the events, providing insights and perspective.

Teiresias' refusal to reveal the truth stems from his knowledge of Oedipus' involvement and the potential pain it would cause.

Teiresias' prophecies reveal that Oedipus is the murderer of King Laius, and Oedipus is also the son of Laius and Jocasta.

Creon argues that he is innocent because he had no motive to kill Laius and that the accusation against him is based on hearsay, not facts.

Oedipus questions Teiresias's claims. He argues that he would never want to harm anyone and doesn't want to be exiled.

Jocasta states that she doesn't believe in the predictions of Apollo. She thought her son was dead at birth, believing the prophecy was false.

Oedipus becomes suspicious of Teiresias when Jocasta describes him and his past. Thinking about the details of the seer's descriptions, Oedipus finds them strikingly familiar.

The Messenger reveals to Oedipus that he was found abandoned as a baby and given to a shepherd who raised him. So Oedipus was not the biological son of the king and queen of Corinth, making him free from the prophecy.

Jocasta, overwhelmed by the unfolding truth, tries to stop the questioning as she fears Oedipus's real identity and worries that the prophecy might be true.

Oedipus has already interrogated Creon and the shepherd, hoping to uncover crucial information about Laius's murder and his own identity.

The old man, also known as the shepherd, desperately wants to tell the truth but fears the consequences. He is worried about the impact of revealing that he saved the baby Oedipus, who was destined to kill his father, which means that Oedipus is actually the one who killed Laius.

Oedipus fails to learn the truth about himself, remaining blind to his actions. He stubbornly refuses to accept the reality of his relationship with his parents. He is consumed by anger and blinded by his own pride.

With a pin from Jocasta's dress, Oedipus gouges out his own eyes. He is consumed by guilt and self-hatred, literally blinding himself to the painful reality of his deeds.

Oedipus chooses blinding himself over suicide because he believes death would be too merciful for his sins. He also doesn't want to see his parents in the afterlife. This action can be interpreted as either an act of bravery for facing his guilt, or as an act of cowardice, as he runs from the truth.

Oedipus wants everyone in Thebes to see him in his wretched state so they know he is the one who killed Laius. He wishes to expose his guilt and bear the consequences of his actions. This is a desperate attempt for redemption and to warn others about the dangers of ignoring the truth.