Oedipus Part 2 Notes

Day 6:

- O. receives news of dad’s natural death
~relieved, but fears marrying mom
- Messenger confused – told prophesy, but not moved by it ~reveals Polybus wasn’t his father O was received on Mt. Cithaeron
feet pinned & was given to childless king Believes servant of Laius gave it – same as eyewitness - J. is defensive when questioned ~pleads O give up search - O won’t budge

Day 7:

- J. understands – runs into palace

- O thinks she’s ashamed of his past

- Ch. echoes current ?’s – wonders if he’s from the gods themselves

- Shepherd arrives & admits his ties to Laius
- CMess. recognizes him and asks of child
o Shep. tries to avoid, but finally admits to involvement
o Shep. tells that J was source of child due to fears of prophesy

- Ch is pained by the truth & great fall of O

- Messenger brings worse news – voluntary pain
o J. killed herself in fury (hanged)
o while holding body – O. blinded himself w/her pins

Day 8:

- O. tries to banish himself, but needs help
o O. blames Apollo for fortune, not eyes
o he & Chorus wish he had died (Sphinx is forgotten)
o O. explains he can no longer bear to see

- Creon arrives
o O is ashamed of prior accusations
o Creon shows fairness – wants private pain
o O asks 4 immediate banishment – Creon wants to wait

- O’s requests
o J gets buried
o will go to Cithaeron to await death
o Creon must take care of daughters, but allow last touch

- O apologizes for girls’ future & again begs for pity on them

- O wont wait for Apollo, but pains letting kids go

- Chorus warns not to count happiness until end of life