What really happened to Oedipus? - Stephen Esposito

Summary

The script narrates the tragic tale of Oedipus, who, despite escaping death and the Sphinx, faces his greatest challenge in the fulfillment of a prophecy that he would kill his father and marry his mother. Born to King Laius and Queen Jocasta, he was abandoned but found by a shepherd and raised by the Corinthian king and queen. Unaware of his true lineage, he fulfills the prophecy unknowingly and later blinds himself in despair when the truth is revealed. The story concludes with Oedipus finding peace and acceptance in his old age, transcending into death.

Takeaways

• 👶 Oedipus was abandoned as a baby due to a prophecy that he would kill his father, King Laius, and marry his mother, Queen Jocasta.
• 🛑 Despite attempts to avoid his fate, Oedipus unknowingly fulfilled the prophecy by killing his father at a crossroads and later marrying his mother.
• 🔮 Oedipus sought counsel from Apollo's oracle, which revealed his tragic destiny, causing him to flee Corinth and inadvertently head towards Thebes.
• 🦁 Oedipus defeated the Sphinx, a monster ravaging Thebes, by solving its riddle, leading to his marriage with Jocasta and unknowingly completing the prophecy.
• 🏛 A plague befell Thebes, and through an investigation, it was revealed that the city's suffering was due to the unsolved murder of King Laius.
• 👁️ The blind prophet Tiresias implicated Oedipus as the murderer, a truth that was eventually confirmed through various sources, including a Corinthian messenger and the shepherd who saved him as a baby.
• 😡 Upon realizing the truth of his actions, Oedipus was filled with rage and shame, leading him to kill Jocasta and blind himself with her brooches.
• 🏙️ Oedipus was exiled from Thebes and sought guidance from Apollo's oracle once more, marking the end of Sophocles' first play about him.
• 👴 Decades later, Sophocles wrote a sequel set in Colonus, where an aged and exiled Oedipus faced accusations of his past deeds with acceptance and proclaimed his innocence.
• ✅ Oedipus, having come to terms with his past, was guided by a divine voice to transcend into death peacefully, concluding his tragic story.
• 🎭 The script is a retelling of the Oedipus myth, highlighting the themes of fate, free will, and the consequences of one's actions.

Q & A

Who was Oedipus and what was the prophecy about him?

Oedipus was a character in Greek mythology, the son of King Laius and Queen Jocasta of Thebes. The prophecy from Apollo's oracle foretold that he would kill his father and marry his mother.

Why did King Laius and Queen Jocasta initially try to kill Oedipus?

King Laius and Queen Jocasta tried to kill Oedipus to avoid the prophecy that their son would murder the king and marry the queen.

How did Oedipus end up in Corinth?

A shepherd took pity on Oedipus and gave him to another shepherd from Corinth, who then brought the baby to the childless King Polybus and Queen Merope of Corinth, where he was raised.

What prompted Oedipus to seek counsel from Apollo's oracle at Delphi?

Oedipus sought counsel from Apollo's oracle at Delphi after learning from a drunken reveler that he was not the biological child of Polybus and Merope.

What was the prophecy Oedipus received from Apollo's oracle at Delphi?

The prophecy Oedipus received was that he would murder his father and have children with his mother, which horrified him and led him to leave Corinth.

How did Oedipus unknowingly fulfill the first part of the prophecy?

Oedipus unknowingly fulfilled the first part of the prophecy when he killed King Laius of Thebes in a fight at a crossroads, not realizing that Laius was his birth father.

What was the Sphinx and how did Oedipus defeat it?

The Sphinx was a monstrous creature ravaging Thebes, posing a riddle to the city's inhabitants and devouring those who answered incorrectly. Oedipus defeated the Sphinx by correctly answering its riddle.

Who did Oedipus marry after defeating the Sphinx, and what was the significance of this marriage?

Oedipus married Queen Jocasta of Thebes, the city's recently widowed queen, unknowingly completing the second half of the prophecy by marrying his own mother.

What event led to the revelation of Oedipus' true identity and the fulfillment of the prophecy?

A plague that descended on Thebes led to the revelation of Oedipus' true identity. The oracle declared that the plague would only end if the killer of the previous king, Laius, was revealed and avenged.

How did Oedipus react to the truth about his life and the prophecy?

Oedipus reacted with fury, resentment, and shame. He blinded himself using brooches from Jocasta's dress after she had realized the truth and taken her own life.

What was the final act of Oedipus' life as depicted in Sophocles' sequel?

In Sophocles' sequel, Oedipus, having accepted the truth and released himself from shame, proclaimed his innocence and maintained that his deeds were committed unwittingly. He then transcended peacefully into death.

Outlines

00:00

😱 The Tragic Tale of Oedipus

This paragraph narrates the tragic life of Oedipus, from his birth to his unwitting fulfillment of a prophecy that he would kill his father and marry his mother. Born to King Laius and Queen Jocasta, Oedipus was abandoned due to a prophecy but was saved and raised by another couple. As an adult, he unknowingly kills his father, King Laius, and solves the riddle of the Sphinx, leading to his marriage with his mother. The truth of his origins and actions is eventually revealed, causing him to blind himself and seek exile.

05:04

🕊 Oedipus' Redemption and Transcendence

In the final chapter of Oedipus' story, he finds redemption and acceptance of his fate. Having lived through the revelation of his tragic past and the consequences of his actions, Oedipus is guided by a divine voice to his end. He bids farewell to his loved ones and peacefully passes away, transcending his earthly existence. This part of the narrative focuses on Oedipus' acceptance of his past and his serene transition to the afterlife.

Keywords

💡Oedipus

Oedipus is the central character of the script, a figure from Greek mythology who unknowingly fulfills a prophecy that he would kill his father and marry his mother. His story is the embodiment of tragic irony and fate, as he tries to avoid the prophecy but ends up fulfilling it. The script details his journey from ignorance to knowledge, and the tragic consequences that follow.

💡Prophecy

A prophecy in the script refers to a prediction or a foretelling of future events, often by a divine source. In this narrative, the prophecy from Apollo's oracle is pivotal as it sets the stage for Oedipus's tragic life. It is a key element that drives the plot and the character's actions, illustrating the inescapability of fate.

💡Sphinx

The Sphinx is a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head of a human. In the script, the Sphinx poses a riddle to the people of Thebes, devouring those who cannot answer correctly. Oedipus solves the riddle, leading to the Sphinx's defeat and establishing him as a hero, which is a significant turning point in his life.

💡Oracle

An oracle in the context of the script is a priest or priestess acting as a medium through whom advice or prophecy from the gods is sought. Apollo's oracle delivers the prophecy that affects Oedipus's life, and later, the oracle's response is crucial in revealing the truth about the plague in Thebes and Oedipus's role in it.

💡Tragic Hero

A tragic hero is a term used to describe the protagonist in a tragedy, often a character of noble stature who experiences a downfall due to a flaw or mistake. Oedipus is a classic example of a tragic hero, as his quest to avoid his fate ironically leads him to fulfill it, resulting in his downfall.

💡Fate

Fate in the script represents the inexorable and often adverse course of events believed to be controlled by some supernatural power. It is a central theme as Oedipus's life is governed by the prophecy, which he cannot escape, highlighting the concept of fate as an unavoidable destiny.

💡Irony

Irony, particularly tragic irony, is a key element in the script. It refers to the discrepancy between expectation and reality, often with a tragic outcome. Oedipus's attempts to avoid the prophecy exemplify this, as his actions lead directly to the fulfillment of the very events he sought to prevent.

💡Plague

In the script, a plague is a divine punishment or disaster that befalls the city of Thebes. It serves as a catalyst for the revelation of Oedipus's true identity and his role in the murder of Laius. The plague is symbolic of the moral and social decay that results from Oedipus's unknowing transgressions.

💡Blindness

Blindness in the script has a literal and metaphorical significance. Oedipus physically blinds himself with brooches from Jocasta's dress after discovering the truth of his actions, symbolizing his self-inflicted punishment for not 'seeing' the signs of his fate. It also represents the failure of his judgment and understanding.

💡Exile

Exile refers to the state of being banished or expelled from one's native country. Oedipus begs for exile after the truth is revealed, symbolizing his removal from society due to his actions. His exile is a part of his punishment and a reflection of his isolation and suffering.

💡Transcendence

Transcendence in the script signifies Oedipus's ultimate acceptance of his fate and his peaceful transition into death. It represents a moment of spiritual or moral elevation, where Oedipus finds resolution and peace after a life of suffering and turmoil.

Highlights

Oedipus' life is shaped by a prophecy that he would kill his father and marry his mother.

King Laius and Queen Jocasta abandon Oedipus to avoid the prophecy after his birth.

Oedipus is raised by the Corinthian king and queen, unaware of his true origins.

A prophecy from Apollo's oracle reveals Oedipus' fate to him, causing him to flee Corinth.

Oedipus unknowingly kills his birth father, King Laius, fulfilling the first part of the prophecy.

Oedipus solves the Sphinx's riddle, leading to her defeat and his marriage to Queen Jocasta.

Unbeknownst to Oedipus and Jocasta, they are mother and son, completing the second part of the prophecy.

A plague strikes Thebes, and the oracle reveals that it will only end if Laius' killer is found.

Oedipus investigates Laius' murder, eventually discovering that he himself is the killer.

Jocasta commits suicide upon realizing the truth of their relationship.

Oedipus blinds himself in shame and seeks exile from Thebes.

Sophocles revisits Oedipus' story decades later in a sequel set in Colonus.

In the sequel, Oedipus confronts accusations of incest and patricide, accepting the truth of his actions.

Oedipus proclaims his innocence, stating that his deeds were committed unknowingly and unwillingly.

A divine voice signals Oedipus' time to die, and he transcends into death peacefully.

The story of Oedipus explores themes of fate, free will, and the consequences of one's actions.

Sophocles' portrayal of Oedipus as a tragic hero delves into the complexities of human nature.

The Oedipus myth serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of trying to escape one's destiny.

Transcripts

Though Oedipus would dodge death, vanquish the monstrous Sphinx,

and whether wrathful plagues,

the truth would prove his greatest challenger.

When Oedipus’ mother, Queen Jocasta of Thebes,

gave birth to him, a grim heir seized the occasion.

Her husband, King Laius, had received a prophecy from Apollo’s oracle

foretelling that he would die at the hands of his own son.

Determined to escape this fate, Laius had the newborn’s ankles pierced,

and Jocasta ordered a shepherd to abandon him on Mount Cithaeron to perish.

But divine prophecies can be quite stubborn.

The shepherd took pity on the baby and gave him to to another shepherd—

this one from Corinth.

He decided to bring the baby to the childless Corinthian king and queen,

Polybus and Merope.

They called the boy Oedipus, or “swollen-foot,”

and raised him as their own, never revealing his true origin.

Years passed, till one night,

a drunken reveler told Oedipus that he was not Polybus and Merope’s son by birth—

an allegation they staunchly denied.

But the seeds of doubt burrowed into Oedipus’ mind.

He left to seek counsel from Apollo’s oracle at Delphi,

who instead delivered a deeply disturbing prophecy:

Oedipus would murder his father and have children with his mother.

Horrified, Oedipus determined to stay far from Corinth

and the only parents he’d ever known.

He ventured towards Thebes— and thus, unwittingly,

towards the city where his birth parents reigned.

At a crossroads on the way,

a fancy carriage threatened to run Oedipus off the road,

and a lethal fight ensued.

Little did Oedipus know, one of the casualties was King Laius of Thebes,

his own birth father.

In killing him, Oedipus had fulfilled the first half of Apollo’s prophecy.

When Oedipus reached the gates of Thebes, he was met by the treacherous Sphinx.

She’d ravaged the city,

posing a bewildering riddle to those she encountered

and mercilessly devouring all who answered incorrectly.

But when she fixed her keen, expectant gaze on Oedipus,

he gave the correct response.

Thebes celebrated the Sphinx's defeat,

and Oedipus married the city's recently widowed queen, Jocasta.

They had four children, neither realizing they were, in fact, mother and son—

or that they’d completed the second half of Apollo’s prophecy.

Eventually, a devastating plague descended on Thebes.

To save the city, Oedipus sent his brother-in-law to consult Apollo’s oracle.

She declared that the divine plague would only relent

if the killer of Thebes’ previous king, Laius,

was finally revealed, then driven out or avenged with blood.

Oedipus hastily opened an investigation.

He interrogated Tiresias, a blind prophet,

who stayed silent before suggesting that Oedipus himself was the killer.

Oedipus denied and deflected the accusation.

But it stuck with him.

Jocasta likewise insisted that Laius’ killer couldn’t have been Oedipus,

for she'd heard that Laius was killed at a crossroads by robbers.

Yet, through conversations with a messenger from Corinth and, finally,

the shepherd who’d rescued him as an infant,

the truth came bearing down upon Oedipus.

In searching for Laius’ murderer, he’d been looking for himself,

and Apollo’s prophecy had come to pass, in all its dreadful detail.

Full of fury, resentment, and shame, Oedipus rushed to kill Jocasta—

but she too had realized the truth and taken her own life.

Using brooches from her dress, Oedipus blinded himself in anguish,

expunging his deceitful sense of sight,

which had kept him from truly seeing so much.

Oedipus begged for exile,

but was led back into the castle to await word from Apollo’s oracle.

Thus ends Sophocles’ first play centering Oedipus.

But it wouldn’t be his final word on the tragic hero.

Decades later, a roughly 89-year-old Sophocles wrote its sequel,

set in Colonus, his own birthplace.

It finds Oedipus, now aged and exiled,

confronted with accusations of incest and patricide.

Oedipus, having accepted the truth and released himself from its shame,

proclaims his innocence and maintains that he committed these deeds unwittingly—

and unwillingly.

Finally, Oedipus knows it’s time to go— and a divine voice urges him on.

Having said his loving farewells,

Oedipus then transcends— peacefully and marvelously— into death.