Oedipus at Colonus Summary

Summary –

Blind, old Oedipus, a former king of Thebes, wanders for many years guided by his daughter, Antigone. Although once successful as a ruler, he was exiled after the gods sent sickness to the city because Oedipus had killed his father Laius, the prior king, and he committed incest with his mother, Jocasta, after becoming king of Thebes. Now he and Antigone end their journey in a grove near the Greek city-state of Athens at a place called Colonus. There, Oedipus offends the Eumenides -- goddesses of the underworld (for entering sacred land) -- and he must make offerings to avoid punishment (which he later does – reconnecting him with the Gods). His youngest daughter, Ismene, joins them at Colonus, bearing news from Thebes that Oedipus' sons -- each claiming the right to the throne of Thebes -- prepared to go to war. Eteocles, the younger son, supported by Creon, took over the throne. He and his brother Polynices were supposed to share it six months at a time. Once in power, he did not wish to give it up. Polynices was exiled by his brother and went to Argos where he married the princess and gathered an army there to attack Thebes and take the throne. Interest was awakened in the former king when it was learned that a prophecy promised victory in battle to the city in which Oedipus was buried. Suddently, the aged pariah became of great value to any city which proved his final resting place. Oedipus is stunned to hear this, but Ismene also reveals the oracle's prediction that the each of the sons will soon seek Oedipus' support to win the battle for the throne. Disgusted, he refuses to help either of them because Theban citizens had treated him so poorly before.
He asks for the help of Theseus, King of Athens, to protect him and his daughters, and the wise king agrees. Later, Creon, Jocasta's brother, finds Oedipus at Colonus and kidnaps Antigone to force Oedipus to return to Thebes, so that the younger Eteocles can win the war. Thankfully, Theseus comes to the rescue by retrieving the two girls and sending Creon back to Thebes empty-handed. Next, the exiled older son Polyneices comes seeking Oedipus' support, yet the old man is angered at his son's request and condemns both of his sons to death because they are so selfish. Polynices admitted to Oedipus that he should have remained by his father's side, but Oedipus was unforgiving. He foresaw that the brothers would slay themselves in battle. Polynices knew that he would die in battle, but decided to fight anyway -- as an example to his supporters. Antigone vowed to see that his body would receive a proper burial.
After praising the Athenians for their kindness, thunder in the sky summons Oedipus into the wilderness to die. Accompanied by his children and King Theseus, he walks off toward death, declaring that Athens will forever be protected by the gods as long as Theseus does not reveal the location of his grave to anyone. Evidently, it was a victorious and exalted exit for one who had lived such a life of suffering.
Oedipus thus dies after a long life filled with suffering that is cured only by forgiveness and acknowledging the supremacy of the gods. Because of his return to faith, he is absolved from the crimes he committed so many years before. After their father's death, Antigone and Ismene return to Thebes, hoping to prevent the deaths of their two brothers that Oedipus had predicted.
Assisted by six chieftains, Polynices attempted to invade Thebes. The seven men led attacks against each of the seven gates of Thebes; Eteocles defended the gate attacked by Polynices. The two brothers, as Oedipus predicted, died at each other's hands. Then, the Theban army finally beat back the attack.
Creon, now once more undisputed master of the city, and resolved to make an example of the invader, ordered that while Eteocles (defender of Thebes) received all honors in burial, Polynices (the invader) would be shamefully left unburied where he fell and not mourned. Penalty of death was announced against any who would defy this order; and the voices of the city were silent (either due to fear or to consent)


Overall, the story of Oedipus at Colonus is about opposites: how a good ruler should behave compared to a poor ruler, how a good city should be compared to a bad city, and how the gods should be worshipped compared to how they should not. After leaving these negatives behind while seeing the fine example of Athens as a model city, Oedipus finally discovers inner peace. However, the suffering of his children shall only continue as the daughters try to stop their brothers' unsuccessful battle for the Theban throne.

CLASSWORK:
REACT TO THIS INFORMATION – HOW HAVE THE CHARACTERS HERE CHANGED? WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS FOR THE CITY OF THEBES WITHIN THIS STORY AND SET UP FOR THE NEXT ONE.
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