The Plague of Thebes, a Historical Epidemic in Sophocles Oedipus Rex. A severe plague is described in Sophocles drama Oedipus Rex. The gods serve punishment for Oedipus's guilt by inflicting a plague on Thebes. Latest answer posted November 11, 2019 at 3:50:28 AM. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. In the first scene of the play, Sophocles presents the basic social and historical axes around which he will unfold the plot. Oedipus sends for Tiresias, the blind prophet, and asks him what he knows about the murder. In this way Theseus and his heirs may always rule over a safe city. One day long ago, he was tending his sheep when another shepherd approached him carrying a baby, its ankles pinned together. Just as the plants do not grow so is women not able to bear children. Dont have an account? Oedipus, the king, who is married to Jocasta and has four children, sends Creon (Jocasta's brother) to the oracle for information. Tiresias responds cryptically, lamenting his ability to see the truth when the truth brings nothing but pain. It should be noted that exploring the diseases of history requires examining the social, economic, and demographic aspects of each era because this is the only way to better understand how diseases work over centuries (10). Finally, although many of the features of the plot and passages have been interpreted as historical allusions, the plague seems to be recognized as the most critical element that reflects a historical event, with enough strength and clarity to be used even for the dating of the tragedy (12). Oedipus, King of Thebes, sends his brother-in-law, Creon, to ask the advice of the oracle at Delphi, concerning a plague ravaging Thebes. He did not know that his parents in Corinth were not his real parents. Oedipus arrives in Thebes, solves the riddle of the Sphinx, and is made their king. Emerg Infect Dis. The shepherd then enters. Discount, Discount Code Free trial is available to new customers only. Figure 1. The citizens gather outside the palace of their king, Oedipus, asking him to take action. CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Although we are able to see him as a mere puppet of fate, at some points, the irony is so magnified that it seems almost as if Oedipus brings catastrophe upon himself willingly. Creon decides to pardon Ismene, but vows to kill Antigone by walling her up alive in a tomb. Then, before leaving the stage, Tiresias puts forth one last riddle, saying that the murderer of Laius will turn out to be both father and brother to his own children, and the son of his own wife. During the time the play is set, Laius is deceased, but he is a critical . Oedipus tells Antigone that, earlier in his life, when Apollo prophesied his doom, the god promised Oedipus that he would come to rest on this ground. After years of wandering in exile from Thebes, Oedipus arrives in a grove outside Athens. Sophocles and The Oedipus Plays Background. For a moment, Oedipus takes upon himself the role of a goda role the Chorus has been both reluctant and eager to allow him (see 3943). Creon returns to report that the plague is the result of religious pollution, since the murderer of their former king, Laius, has never been caught. The sentry soon exonerates himself by catching Antigone in the act of attempting to rebury her brother, the sentries having disinterred him. There was an unexpected error. Oedipus, King of Thebes, sends his brother-in-law, Creon, to ask the advice of the oracle at Delphi, concerning a plague ravaging Thebes. Oedipus, stunned, tells his wife that he may be the one who murdered Laius. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. !Sophocles - Oedipus the King! But, when Oedipus sends Creon to discover the source of the plague, he learns it springs from a moral problem: the murderer of Laius, the . Early in the play it is clarified that the disease is a cattle zoonosis of high mortality rate (a blight upon the grazing flocks and herds, line 26, with the herds being cattle,) (2,3). They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. SparkNotes PLUS Terrible thunder sounds, and the Chorus cries out in horror. A second messenger enters and describes scenes of suffering. Oedipus promises to solve the mystery of Laiuss death, vowing to curse and drive out the murderer. The Theban Plays Oedipus the King (or Oedipus Rex) is one of three surviving plays by Sophocles centering on the Greek myth of Oedipus (EHD ih puhs), king of Thebes; the other two are Oedipus at . The writing of the tragedy Oedipus the King (original Greek title , most commonly known as Oedipus Rex) is placed in the first half of the decade 430420 bc. Oedipus quickly hatches plans to deal with both his peoples suffering and Laiuss unsolved murder, and he has even anticipated the Choruss suggestions that he send someone to the oracle and call forth Tiresias. He asks why Tiresias did nothing when Thebes suffered under a plague once before. Outside the palace, a messenger approaches Jocasta and tells her that he has come from Corinth to inform Oedipus that his father, Polybus, is dead, and that Corinth has asked Oedipus to come and rule there in his place. he mortality rate for untreated brucellosis is difficult to determine from the literature of the preantibiotic era (6); nevertheless, an 80% rate has been reported in situations of comorbidity with endocarditis (7). Oedipus is so competent in the affairs of men that he comes close to dismissing the gods, although he does not actually blaspheme, as Creon does in Antigone. n/a annes thomas tracy world lit oedipus the king writing assignment there is an old time saying, comes before the pride can lead to downfall. Creon returns, bearing good news: once the killer of the previous king, Laius, is found, Thebes will be cured of the plague (Laius was Jocasta's husband before she married Oedipus). Each man in the city grieves for himself, but Start your 48-hour free trial to unlock this answer and thousands more. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website. . No one responds, and Oedipus furiously curses Laiuss murderer and anyone who is protecting him. Sophocles, a preeminent ancient Greek tragedian, authored plays that have enthralled audiences for over two thousand years. -Graham S. Oedipus is a hero and a man of action. Just then, Creon arrives, and Oedipus asks what the oracle has said. He asks Creon to send him away from Thebes and to look after his daughters, Antigone and Ismene. He returned with news that the plague was caused by the unpunished murderer who killed Laius. Oedipus, in Greek mythology, the king of Thebes who unwittingly killed his father and married his mother. He has already sent Creon to ask the Delphic Oracle's advice. The date of the Oedipus Tyrannus of Sophocles. Antigone embraces Polynices, saying that he is condemning himself to death, but he resolutely says that his life remains in the hands of the gods. The plague in Oedipus Rex is not just a disease that is making people sick, but it is actually ruining . Pedagogical Institute, Hellenic Ministry of Education. The king has already taken some action to deal with this harm by sending his brother-in-law, Creon, to the oracle at Delphi to ask for a salvation plan (lines 6872). The lethality of this epidemic is particularly terrifying for the protagonists of the play, and the diseases severity is evinced by the first sentences of the tragedy (reek of incense everywhere, line 4). Sophocles, one of the most noted playwrights of the ancient world, wrote the tragedy Oedipus Rex in the first half of the decade 430-420 bc. The citizens gather outside the palace of their king, Oedipus, asking him to take action. Oedipus has already sent his brother-in-law, Creon, to the Oracle of Delphi in order to ask Apollo why this is the case. Tiresias tragically reveals to Oedipus that the king himself is the cause (since he had killed King Laius). Oedipus himself remained in Thebes for a few years, a blind and aging misfit cared for only by his daughters, Antigone and Ismene. At the beginning of Sophocles'Oedipus Rex,there issterility and a plague at Thebes. When the seer Teiresias warns him not to investigate the matter any further, Oedipus pushes his advice aside. The key word in the definition of shame is "consciousness.". Oedipus asks a priest why the citizens have gathered around the palace. In doing so, he unwittingly fulfilled the first half of the prophecy: he has killed his own father. In the post-Homeric tradition, most familiar from Sophocles' Oedipus Rex (or Oedipus the King) and . Ironically, Oedipus thought that by leaving Corinth he was beating the prophecy that he would murder his father and marry his mother. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. We take your privacy seriously. Both Polynices and Creon are currently en route to try to take Oedipus into custody and thus claim the right to bury him in their kingdoms. The Sphinx had the city under a spell. Several sections, primarily in the first third of the play, refer to the aforementioned plague; the epidemic, however, is not the primary topic of the tragedy. He calls it a plague that disrupts the production of humans and crops. You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. As proof, she notes that the Delphic oracle once told Laius he would be murdered by his son, when in fact his son was cast out of Thebes as a baby, and Laius was murdered by a band of thieves. Searching for the miasma, Oedipus summons the blind prophet Tiresias to reveal who is responsible for this evil (lines 300313) (2,3). WebOedipus is the king of Thebes when the action commences, and one facing the crisis of a plague. Acting blindly, he curses himself. Educators go through a rigorous application process, and every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team. On their way to consult an oracle, Laius and all but one of his fellow travelers were killed by thieves. Apparently, it has not heard Creons news about Laiuss murderer. Section 6: Oedipus the King, lines 338-706, Section 8: Oedipus the King, lines 1008-1310, Section 9: Oedipus the King, lines 1311-1684, Section 10: Oedipus at Colonus, lines 1-576, Section 11: Oedipus at Colonus, lines 577-1192, Section 12: Oedipus at Colonus, lines 1193-1645, Section 13: Oedipus at Colonus, lines 1646-2001. Oedipus, stunned, tells his wife that he may be the one who murdered Laius. The priest describes that there is much disease and death in Thebes. "What is the reason for the plague in Thebes in Sophocles' Oedipus Rex?" All of this, of course, was unbeknownst to him. Haemon seems at first to side with his father, but gradually admits his opposition to Creons stubbornness and petty vindictiveness. Contact us They give up their pleas but ask for safe passage back to Thebes, so that they may prevent a war between their brothers. LitCharts Teacher Editions. Is Oedipus a victim of fate or a victim of his own actions in Oedipus Rex? Realizing who he is and who his parents are, Oedipus screams that he sees the truth and flees back into the palace. For example, when the old priest tells Oedipus that the people of Thebes are dying of the plague, Oedipus says that he could not fail to see this (6872). Regarding the plays approach to treatment of the disease, reading through the drama we once again come across with the theocratic perceptions of ancient Greece. Want 100 or more? This fact has been used to suggest that there is no connection between the plague in Thebes and the plague in Athens. Creon appears in order to abduct Oedipus, but, proving unsuccessful, he kidnaps Antigone and Ismene instead. Latest answer posted December 09, 2017 at 3:30:49 PM. The unsolved murder of Theban King Laius is the cause of the plague in Thebes. Many people are falling ill, and Oedipus begins to believe that there is a divine cause for the plague. $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% creating and saving your own notes as you read. Oedipus steps out of the royal palace of Thebes and is greeted by a procession of priests, who are in turn surrounded by the impoverished and sorrowful citizens of Thebes. The priest begs Oedipus to help the city and rescue it from the clutches of famine, fire, and plague. Teachers and parents! As the protagonist approached his tragic catharsis, the moral order much desired by the ancient Greeks was restored with the end of the epidemic. Eventually the city was infected by a plague. You can review and change the way we collect information below. Our summaries and analyses are written by experts, and your questions are answered by real teachers. | Why was there a terrible plague in Thebes? Oedipus In Greek mythology and literature, son of Laius (king of Thebes) and Jocasta; father of Antigone, Ismene, Eteocles and Polynices by his own mother. The first event that elicits emotions of fear and pity is found in the prologue where the people of Thebes suffer from a plague. Summary. Polynices tells Oedipus that he never condoned his exile, and that Eteocles is the bad son, having bribed the men of Thebes to turn against Polynices. In the first scene of the play, Sophocles presents the basic social and historical axes around which he will unfold the plot. He knows that the city is sick with plague. Epidemics, stillbirths, and miscarriages caused by B. abortus have been reported since the time of Hippocrates, which is when this disease was initially described. He tells them they can trust him to help in any way he can. Wailing on the altar stair, wives and grandams rend the air, long-drawn moans and piercing cries blent with prayers and litaniesSophocles, Oedipus Rex, lines 184186. Dont have an account? Essays on oedipus the king. Oedipus eagerly attempts to uncover the truth, acting decisively and scrupulously refusing to shield himself from the truth. Brucellosis is a highly contagious zoonosis caused by ingestion of unsterilized milk or meat from infected cows or close contact with their secretions. What is the main idea of Oedipus the King by Sophocles, and what is the play about. The priest begs Oedipus to save Thebes, just as Oedipus . These taunts provoke Tiresias into revealing that Oedipus himself is the murderer. Apparently, the gods have punished Thebes for the cruel murder of the former King Laius. In the city of Thebes, there is a plague of infertility that strikes. Sophocles, the author, is a famous philosopher of the ancient times The Play is about Oedipus, the king of Thebes, who kills his father and marries his mother. The people of Thebes honored and worshipped the gods, surely there is an easier way to play detective. A new hypothesis for the cause of the plague of Athens. In despair Jocasta hanged herself, while Oedipus blinded himself in an agony of remorse. Each man in the city grieves for himself, but the king grieves for the city and everyone in it. It is set in the kingdom of Thebes in The citizens carry branches wrapped in wool, which they offer to the gods as gifts. Oedipus became king of Thebes and married Jocasta. Answer: Oedipus married his mother. March 3, 2023, SNPLUSROCKS20 Oedipus doesn't believe him since he did not know who Laius was when he killed him and sends him away. Tiresias predicts that the gods will bring down curses upon the city. The Sphinx placed a great plague over Thebes and refused to remove it until someone correctly answered its riddle. Jocasta rejoices, convinced that Polybus's death from natural causes has disproved the prophecy that Oedipus . Sophocles audience knew the ancient story of Oedipus well, and would therefore interpret the greatness Oedipus exudes in the first scene as a tragic harbinger of his fall. In Oedipus Rex, how does Oedipus's tragic flaw lead to his downfall? Although the above points are of great relevance, they lack the possibility of historical verification and are mainly based on the comparative and critical assessment of Sophocles and Thucydides work. March 3, 2023, SNPLUSROCKS20 The characteristics of pathogens that might be responsible for the plague on the basis of Sophocles descriptions in Oedipus Rex are summarized in the Technical Appendix. Oedipus says that his time of death has come. Tiresias defends his skills as a prophet, noting that Oedipuss parents found him trustworthy. This article is republished from The Conversation.Read the original article.. Creon asks him his opinion on the issue. Did you know you can highlight text to take a note? Creon threatens to kill anyone who tries to bury Polynices and stations sentries over his body. The messenger took the baby to the royal family of Corinth, and they raised him as their own. Oedipus also learns that Laius is his father and that Jocasta, his wife, is his mother. From the start of the drama, the plague in Thebes is a serious matter, as in line 23 where it is referred to as weltering surge of blood ( ). DNA examination of ancient dental pulp incriminates typhoid fever as a probable cause of the Plague of Athens. Oedipus returns and tells the Chorus that he will end the plague himself. How does Oedipus Rex by Sophocles follow the unities? You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. It's actually a case of a pestilence that's wiping out the city's people, livestock and harvests . The Thucydides syndrome. In lines 167215 the Chorus stays on stage to summarize the situation and beg for salvation (2,3). Theseus and the Chorus exit toward Athens; Antigone and Ismene head for Thebes. Wed love to have you back! When Creon retells the story of Laiuss murder, Oedipus is shocked and dismayed that the investigation of the murder of a king was so swiftly dropped (145147). to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. Creon reports that the gods have caused this plague in response to the murder of Laius, the previous king of . "The Murder of Laius by Oedipus," 1867, by Joseph Blanc. Figure 2. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! The epidemic, in fact, is mostly a matter that serves the theatrical economy by forming a background for the evolution of the plot. Oedipus Rex, apart from the undeniable literary and historic value, also presents significant medical interest because the play mentions a plague, an epidemic, which was devastating Thebes, the town of Oedipus hegemony. Oedipus responds by sending his brother-in-law, Creon, to the oracle of Apollo to discover how to save Thebes. After Tiresias leaves, Oedipus threatens Creon with death or exile for conspiring with the prophet. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. Cookies used to enable you to share pages and content that you find interesting on CDC.gov through third party social networking and other websites. Instant PDF downloads. At this early stage in the play, Oedipus represents all that an Athenian audienceor indeed any audiencecould desire in a citizen or a leader. Oedipus castigates the citizens of Thebes for letting the murderer go unknown so long. Many heroes attempted to answer the riddle, but each one was eaten alive after answering incorrectly. In this case scenario, we could assume that cattle in Thebes may have been having brucellosis, leptospirosis, or listeriosis, while humans could have been affected by a different pathogen such as Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (8,9). The words of Tiresias strike fear into the hearts of Creon and the people of Thebes, and Creon reluctantly goes to free Antigone from the tomb where she has been imprisoned. 20% The plague is an infestation of disease-carrying insects that spread rapidly through the population, killing many. The plague that is described in Oedipus Rex could possibly be related to the plague that struck Athens in 430429 bc (11), the primary source for which is the papers of historian Thucydides (where he refers to an epidemic that has been named the plague of Athens) (5). Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. There were two shrines to her in Thebes. Finally, Oedipus is vehement in his promises of dire punishment for Laiuss murderer, even if the murderer turns out to be someone close to Oedipus himself. Please wait while we process your payment. Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. Oedipus is a vigorous and active leader. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. Oedipus was perhaps doomed from birth, for many prophecies were told about Oedipus before and after his birth. Shame was believed to have real-world consequences. As for the clinical features, although Thucydides does not mention the pregnancy or labor pains as described in Sophocles text, he does refer to abdominal and vulvovaginal symptoms (5). One such instance of this irony is when Oedipus proclaims proudlybut, for the audience, painfullythat he possesses the bed of the former king, and that marriage might have even created blood-bonds between him and Laius had Laius not been murdered (294300). Oedipus fears mass destruction of the city of Thebes (with the god's good help success is sure; 'tis ruin if we fail, line 146), while the words weltering surge of blood (line 24), fiery plague (line 166), the land is sore distressed (line 685), and wailing on the altar stair, wives and grandams rend the air, long-drawn moans and piercing cries blent with prayers and litanies (lines 184186) (2,3) all illustrate vividly the severity of the situation. M.A. The messenger, a shepherd by profession, knows firsthand that Oedipus came to Corinth as an orphan. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. . A. Citizens are dying from plague, crops fail, women are dying in childbirth and their babies are stillborn. 216-275: Oedipus asks the Thebans to help him find and expel Laius' murderer. Kousoulis, A. This assignment asks readers to pick a person to blame for the tragedy of Oedipus. At this early moment, we see Oedipuss dangerous pride, which explains his willful blindness and, to a certain extent, justifies his downfall. This is presented to the audience through the dialogue between Oedipus, the king, and the Priest (167). Saving Lives, Protecting People, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece (A.A. Kousoulis, K.P. The Sphinx, in her anger, threw herself off a cliff. Just as the messenger finishes his story, Antigone and Ismene come onstage, chanting a dirge. Oedipus also discovers that he married his mother. Homer related that Oedipus's wife and mother hanged herself when the truth of their relationship became known, though Oedipus apparently continued to rule at Thebes until his death. SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. Bearing in mind the aforementioned observations and the fact no other epidemics were reported in the eastern Mediterranean during the 5th century bc, we posit that the plague described by Sophocles in the tragedy Oedipus Rex has an actual basis in the plague of Athens described by Thucydides in his histories. Thank you for taking the time to confirm your preferences. According to the World Health Organization, an epidemic is defined as a disease outbreak and, therefore, the occurrence of cases of disease in excess of what would normally be expected in a defined community, geographic area, or season (15). Oedipus replies that he is more eager than anyone to find out the cause of the pollution and remove it. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% When Oedipus discovers the truth of his actions, he is wrought with horror and self-loathing. Jocasta rejoices, convinced that Polybuss death from natural causes has disproved the prophecy that Oedipus would murder his father. creating and saving your own notes as you read. Although the Choruss first ode (168244) piously calls to the gods to save Thebes from the plague, the answer they get to their prayer arrives in human form. Joel Christensen is an associate professor of classical studies at Brandeis. for a customized plan. Oedipus is notable for his compassion, his sense of justice, his swiftness of thought and action, and his candor. is the priest doing this there is a plague on the city oedipus asked him to the sphinx has attacked the city it s a holiday oedipus rex questions and answers enotes com Latest answer posted April 01, 2021 at 5:20:02 PM, Latest answer posted November 20, 2019 at 12:42:51 AM. Historical medical literature has suggested many infectious diseases over time, but few have lasted as the most probable. Many people are falling ill, and Oedipus begins to believe that there is a divine cause for the plague. The play shows that one cannot avert one's fate. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! King Theseus arrives and says that he pities Oedipus for the fate that has befallen him, and he asks how he can help Oedipus. katlynn havens humanities 201 week summary and response the tragedy of. Section 6: Oedipus the King, lines 338-706, Section 8: Oedipus the King, lines 1008-1310, Section 9: Oedipus the King, lines 1311-1684, Section 10: Oedipus at Colonus, lines 1-576, Section 11: Oedipus at Colonus, lines 577-1192, Section 12: Oedipus at Colonus, lines 1193-1645, Section 13: Oedipus at Colonus, lines 1646-2001. With the deadly plague, which struck one of the most historic Greek cities, on the one hand and the tragic fate of a character who has become among the most recognizable in world theater on the other, Sophocles masterminded a dramatic frame and offered a lyrical, literary description of a lethal disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website. Thus, according to the tragedys rhymes and with respect to literary talk, this plague should be treated as an epidemic. for a group? Creon says that he thinks some of the dissidents of the city bribed the sentry to perform the rites, and he vows to execute the sentry if no other suspect is found. Sophocles describes the main characteristics of the epidemic through sporadic sentences. Oedipus, now blind, entrusting his children to the gods. Oedipus asks that this shepherd be brought forth to testify, but Jocasta, beginning to suspect the truth, begs her husband not to seek more information. Oedipus Rex is a figure of Greek mythology from at least the 5th century B.C. Oedipus saved Thebes from the Sphinx by answering the Sphinx's riddle. Oedipus encountered the Sphinx and quickly realized that the answer was "man". Before the palace of Oedipus, King of Thebes. Oedipus Rex Summary. Once Oedipus is banished from Thebes, the curse is lifted, and the plague ends. A group of priests comes to the royal palace to ask for help from Oedipus, their king who once saved them from the tyranny of the terrible Sphinx. PART I: Before Reading STATEMENT RESPONSE (3-5 sentences) It is important to know who we truly are, where we came . The story of Oedipus begins in Thebes, the Greek city founded by Cadmus, at a time when Laius had been restored to the throne.Laius would wed Jocasta, sister to Creon, and descendant of one of the Spartoi, but almost immediately a prophecy was made that said that the son of Laius . Sophocles epidemic seems to have enough strength to appear as a historical base on which the theatrical economy of the play is evolving (12). $24.99 He now feels much more inclined to agree with the queen in deeming prophecies worthless and viewing chance as the principle governing the world. Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! Oedipus has a chance to cure the plague in Thebes, and its presented by the legitimate seer, Tiresias. Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over.
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