FREE ESSAY ON SUMMARY OF OEDIPUS REX

SUMMARY OF OEDIPUS REX

Prologue:
The play opens with the citizens of Thebes gathering around the Theban palace. Oedipus
the king exits the Theban palace. He inquires to a priest as to why his followers are
praying and lamenting. The priest explains that they are praying to the gods to end the
plague; which has struck their city. This plague had rendered crops useless, wasted all
the pastures, and left woman sterile and unborn children dead. The priest begs for
Oedipus' help. Oedipus tells the priest that he feels the city's pain. He states the pain
he endures is worse for he feels the pain of all the people of Thebes. 
Oedipus says that he has known of the plague for a while, and has searched the ends of
his mind for an answer. He tries to ease the pain of his citizens and give them hope by
telling them he has sent his brother-in-law, Creon to the oracle at Delphi. Creon appears
bearing good news, the oracle knows the cause of the curse. He says that Thebes houses
filth and only when this filth is banished will the plague be lifted. The filth is the
murderer of the previous king, Laios. 
Oedipus asks Creon for the details of the king's death. Creon explains that Laios was
killed as he left Thebes on a pilgrimage. He states that the only survivor said robbers
killed the king. Oedipus asks why the murder was not investigated fully, and Creon
explains that the Sphinx' song and the problems of Thebes demanded attention first.
Oedipus swears to find the killer of king Laios, not only for the city's sake but to
ensure his own safety as well.
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Parodos :
It is at this point in the play that we first meet the chorus. The chorus made up of
Theban elders, expresses a sense of fear for what Oedipus might uncover. They proceed to
describe the plague and the misfortunes that have fallen on the city. They also cry to
the gods for their intervention.
Scene I:
Oedipus exits the palace and asks for the help of the citizens of Thebes in finding
Laios' killer. He declares that if the killer is among them he should come forward, and
his sentence will be lessened. He decrees that anyone housing the truth shall be
banished, and does not exclude himself from the punishment. The chorus suggests Oedipus
seek the help of Teiresias, the blind prophet who can see the future. Oedipus states that
he has already sent for Teiresias on the advice of Creon. When Teiresias arrives Oedipus
informs him of the oracle's statements and asks for his help. Teiresias says that he
never should have come and asks to leave. Oedipus tells Teiresias that he will be an
enemy to Thebes if he refuses to help. Once again Teiresias refuses. Oedipus is angered
by the silence and lashes out at the prophet. Teiresias tells Oedipus to look within
himself before placing blame on others. Oedipus declares that Teiresias is implicated in
the murder of the king. Teiresias finally tells Oedipus "you yourself are the pollution
of this country." Teiresias says "I say that you are the murderer whom you seek." These
words enrage Oedipus, he calls Teiresias sightless, witless, and senseless. Oedipus
charges Teiresias with fraud, and asks why a prophet could not solve the riddle of the
Sphinx. 
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Teiresias ends the scene with a riddle for Oedipus in which he states the identity of
Laios' murderer. The scene ends with an ode by the chorus, in which they reiterate these
events of the scene. 
Scene II:
The second scene opens with Creon speaking to the men of Thebes. He speaks unhappily of
the accusations brought upon him by the king. The chorus attempts to explain the king's
behavior by stating that the accusations were made in the moment of anger. Oedipus enters
and upon seeing Creon continues his accusations. Creon pleads with Oedipus to believe in
him. He explains that he is not after his throne. He asks Oedipus to go to the priestess
at Delphi to see if he has quoted her correctly. He tells Oedipus that if he is found
guilty of treason to sentence him to death. Oedipus does not waver. Iocaste enters and
asks them not to quarrel about private matters while the city is sick. The chorus pleads
with Oedipus to respect Creon's word. Oedipus finally gives in and lets Creon go, but
swears he will hate him as long as he lives. 
Lady Iocaste questions the chorus about the quarrel, the chorus asks to let it rest and
be done with. She then asks Oedipus to give her the details. He explains the events, and
she tries to soothe him by telling of another time when she feels that the prophets were
wrong. She tells of the prediction made by the oracle concerning the death of her
husband, she explains that he was to die at the hands of his son. She tells Oedipus of
what the king had done to the child and explains that the fate was not fulfilled. At this
point Oedipus learns more details of Laios' murder, and realizes that he himself was the

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murderer. He asks that the only survivor be summoned to the palace for an inquiry.
Iocaste asks Oedipus to share his fears with her. Oedipus explains that after hearing
that he was not his father's son, he had consulted the shrine at Delphi and was given a
startling prediction. He was told that he should lie with his mother, and would be his
father's murderer. He tells Iocaste that at this point he fled and came to the country
were king Laios was killed. He then explains the events of a murder, which he committed,
which closely resemble the facts known of Laios' murder. At this point they wait for the
survivor to come with his story. Once again the scene ends with an ode, which sheds light
on the past scene. 
Bibliography
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