Sophocles Oedipus Trilogy | Page 3

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**This is the Project Gutenberg Etext of Sophocles' Oedipus Rex**
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SOPHOCLES

OEDIPUS THE KING
Translation by F. Storr, BA
Formerly Scholar of Trinity College,
Cambridge
From the Loeb Library Edition
Originally published by
Harvard University Press, Cambridge,
MA
and
William Heinemann Ltd, London

First published in 1912

ARGUMENT
To Laius, King of Thebes, an oracle foretold that the child born to him
by his queen Jocasta would slay his father and wed his mother. So
when in time a son was born the infant's feet were riveted together and
he was left to die on Mount Cithaeron. But a shepherd found the babe
and tended him, and delivered him to another shepherd who took him
to his master, the King or Corinth. Polybus being childless adopted the
boy, who grew up believing that he was indeed the King's son.
Afterwards doubting his parentage he inquired of the Delphic god and
heard himself the weird declared before to Laius. Wherefore he fled
from what he deemed his father's house and in his flight he encountered
and unwillingly slew his father Laius. Arriving at Thebes he answered
the riddle of the Sphinx and the grateful Thebans made their deliverer
king. So he reigned in the room of Laius, and espoused the widowed
queen. Children were born to them and Thebes prospered under his rule,
but again a grievous plague fell upon the city. Again the oracle was
consulted and it bade them purge themselves of blood-guiltiness.
Oedipus denounces the crime of which he is unaware, and undertakes
to track out the criminal. Step by step it is brought home to him that he
is the man. The closing scene reveals Jocasta slain by her own hand and
Oedipus blinded by his own act and praying for death or exile.

DRAMATIS PERSONAE
Oedipus.
The Priest of Zeus.
Creon.
Chorus of Theban Elders.
Teiresias.
Jocasta.
Messenger.
Herd of Laius.
Second Messenger.
Scene: