Oedipus at Colonus

Facts First performed at the end of Sophocles’s life in either 406 or 405 BC The second play in the Oedipus “trilogy” order but written last Contains discrepancies between itself and Oedipus Rex Antigone and Ismene have had constant contact with Oedipus Polyneices and Eteocles were sharing the rule of Thebes, one year each. Oedipus is angry at Polyneices and Eteocles for not stopping his exile.

Characters Oedipus: Twenty years older and blind, ready to die Antigone: Oldest daughter/sister of Oedipus, Oedipus’s primary caretaker A stranger: Informs Oedipus and Antigone where they are at the beginning of the play Ismene: Youngest daughter/sister of Oedipus Theseus: King of Athens, sympathetic to Oedipus

Creon: important person in Thebes, fakes sympathy for Oedipus and wants him buried just outside Thebes to ensure good fortune Polyneices: Oldest son/brother of Oedipus, former co-ruler of Thebes, flees to Colonus for Oedipus’s help Eteocles (not in play): Youngest son/brother of Oedipus, usurps throne from Polyneices A messenger Chorus: old wise men of Athens Eumenides (not in play): Goddesses of fate, Oedipus was destined to die on their ground.

Setting Time: unknown, 20 years after Oedipus Rex Place: the grove of the Furies in Colonus, a suburb of Athens

Themes Thebes vs. Athens: Thebes was portrayed as a land without respect for identities or boundaries, while Athens was a place of order. Fate vs. Guilt: Oedipus is guilty of his actions even though fate caused him to do it, but because he did it unknowingly, he will not be punished in the afterlife. Oedipus as a hero? Sought after by two cities Now completely trusts in gods and oracles Has supernatural abilities to bestow good fortune