1. OEDIPUS: A Super Short Version & His Family Line
By the end of this class you should--
Feel like the fate of Oedipus’ family is doomed
Know the complex and incestuous family tree of Oedipus
Remember that the Greeks knew these myths as part of their religion
OEDIPUS TRILOGY:
OEDIPUS REX
OEDIPUS AT COLONUS
ANTIGONE

2. “ Your baby will kill you, Laius and marry you, Jocasta”
KING AND QUEEN OF THEBES
Laius
Jocasta
Teiresias
HEAR A PROPHECY FROM
“ Your baby will kill you, Laius and marry you, Jocasta”

3. Laius Jocasta Oedipus Some Guy
KING AND QUEEN OF THEBES
Laius
Jocasta
Oedipus
“ Since we don’t want our son to kill and/or marry us (respectively) we should probably take necessary precautions. ”
“ All right…
Let’s have do it so we don’t have killing a baby on our consciences: the gods might not like that.”
Some Guy

4. “I don’t really want to kill a baby
“I don’t really want to kill a baby. I’ll nail him to this mountain, and the gods can decide.”
Some Guy:
Oedipus

5. Some Sympathetic Peasants
and take care of him. He ends up becoming royalty.
One day he gets in to a “skirmish” with
Find and take care of him. He ends up becoming royalty.
One day he gets into a “skirmish” with
a guy
wins.
Oedipus
a guy
vs.
Oedipus

6. Laius Jocasta Oedipus Remember: “a guy” is dead goes to Thebes.
(New) KING AND QUEEN OF THEBES
KING AND QUEEN OF THEBES
Laius
Jocasta
Oedipus
goes to Thebes.
Laius is dead.
(Note: Laius & “a guy” share the same color font.)
SO….

7. Oedipus Jocasta Teiresias:
(New) KING AND QUEEN OF THEBES
Oedipus
Jocasta
Polyneices
Eteocles
Ismene
Antigone
Through a series of unfortunate events…. Oedipus comes to realize the bad news. Mostly because
Teiresias:
THEY HEAR A PROPHECY FROM
“ You’re going to kill your dad and marry your mom…and your two sons are going to kill each other…. I’m also going to hint at the fact that you’re going to be blind one day.”

8. Oedipus Jocasta Oedipus:
“ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?!?!”
(hangs herself)
Oedipus:
“I’M SO UPSET RIGHT NOW I’M GOING TO STAB MY EYES OUT WITH THIS PIN FROM YOUR ROBE—THE ONE YOUR’E WEARING, RIGHT NOW, WHEN YOUR DEAD, JOCASTA.”

9. Laius Jocasta Creon Eurydice Oedipus Jocasta
OEDIPUS FAMILY TREE
Labdacus
Menoeceus
Laius
Jocasta
Creon
Eurydice
Oedipus
Jocasta
Polyneices
Eteocles
Ismene
Antigone
Haemon
Megareus
Oedipus leaves the throne to Creon (Jocasta’s brother).
He also asks to be banished from the kingdom.
He walks around blind until he dies one day.

10. WHAT PART OF TEIRESIAS’ PROPHECY HAS NOT BEEN FULFILLED?
This is the end of OEDIPUS REX
HOW CLOSELY HAVE YOU BEEN LISTENING:
WHAT PART OF TEIRESIAS’ PROPHECY HAS NOT BEEN FULFILLED?

11. Laius Jocasta Creon Eurydice Oedipus Jocasta
OEDIPUS FAMILY TREE
Labdacus
Menoeceus
Laius
Jocasta
Creon
Eurydice
Oedipus
Jocasta
Polyneices
Eteocles
Ismene
Antigone
Haemon
Megareus
THESE TWO SHARE THE THRONE.
POLYNEICES WANTS ALL THE POWER.
SO HE GATHERS AN ARMY FROM ARGOS.

12. THE BATTLE OF SEVEN GATES
Megareus
Dies.
Why is that important?

13. Laius Jocasta Creon Eurydice Oedipus Jocasta
OEDIPUS FAMILY TREE
Labdacus
Menoeceus
Laius
Jocasta
Creon
Eurydice
Oedipus
Jocasta
Polyneices
Iteocles
Ismene
Antigone
Haemon
Megareus

14. THE BATTLE OF SEVEN GATES
Polyneices
Megareus
Eteocles
Dies.
Who are you betting on?
What’s going to happen?

15. WHO IS THE PROTAGONIST OF OUR NEXT PLAY?
REVIEW OF DEAD PEOPLE
Labdacus
Menoeceus
Laius
Jocasta
Creon
Eurydice
Oedipus
Jocasta
Polyneices
Iteocles
Ismene
Antigone
Haemon
Megareus
GUESS:
WHO IS THE PROTAGONIST OF OUR NEXT PLAY?
WHO IS THE ANTAGONIST?

16. Laius Jocasta Creon Eurydice Oedipus Jocasta Creon
REVIEW OF DEAD PEOPLE
Labdacus
Menoeceus
Laius
Jocasta
Creon
Eurydice
Oedipus
Jocasta
Polyneices
Eteocles
Ismene
Antigone
Haemon
Megareus
Creon
SAYS
“Give a proper burial. He deserves it.
Do not bury Do no mourn his death. He is a traitor.”
Eteocles
Polyneices
Who might have a problem with that?

17. AND SO BEGINS (Review with string)
Antigone

18. CHECK YOURSELF Do the Greeks know this story before seeing the play?
How is Oedipus related to Jocasta?
How is Creon related to Jocasta?
Name at least one of Oedipus’ children.
(Bonus if you name three or more)