Oedipus Rex

Oedipus visits the Oracle at Delphi initially to confirm rumors that he is not the biological son of the King and Queen of Corinth. Instead of clarifying his parentage, the Oracle prophesies that he...

In Oedipus Rex, Creon's report from the Oracle reveals that the plague in Thebes will end only when the murderer of the former king, Laius, is found and punished. The Oracle commands that the city...

Sophocles explores human and conflict complexities in Oedipus Rex through themes of fate versus free will, the search for truth, and the tragic flaws of pride and ignorance. The protagonist's journey...

Oedipus never learns why Creon is late returning from Delphi, but we can speculate that he was simply a day late. Oedipus suspects Creon of treason for a number of reasons. First, Oedipus believes...

The Thebans did not avenge King Laius's death because they were distracted by the threat of the Sphinx, which posed a greater immediate danger to the city. Creon explains to Oedipus that after...

Oedipus and a priest of Zeus both went to the oracle at Delphi. Laius had also gone before, but Jocasta does not know this until Oedipus tells her.

The discrepancy between Oedipus referring to "one bandit" and Creon mentioning "many" highlights dramatic irony and foreshadows Oedipus's guilt. Creon's account suggests multiple assailants killed...

The city of Thebes suffers from famine due to a "pollution" caused by the unresolved murder of King Laius. This pollution is linked to Oedipus himself, as he is unknowingly the murderer. The famine...

In Oedipus Rex, Jocasta's brother's name is Creon. He is portrayed as a thoughtful, circumspect, and reasonable man, though this does not stop Oedipus from wrongly accusing him of attempting to take...

In "Oedipus Rex," Oedipus, Creon, and the Chorus view Jocasta as a wise and level-headed queen. Oedipus trusts and respects her judgment, often valuing her input over others. Creon respects her calm...