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Oedipus King of Thebes by Sophocles
Oedipus King of Thebes by Sophocles
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About this eBook
| Author | Sophocles, 496-407 BC |
|---|---|
| Translator | Murray, Gilbert, 1866-1957 |
| Title |
Oedipus King of Thebes Translated into English Rhyming Verse with Explanatory Notes |
| Note | Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oedipus_Rex |
| Credits |
Produced by Sigal Alon, Turgut Dincer, R. Cedron and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net |
| Reading Level | Reading ease score: 91.3 (5th grade). Very easy to read. |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | PA: Language and Literatures: Classical Languages and Literature |
| Subject | Tragedies (Drama) |
| Subject | Oedipus (Greek mythological figure) -- Drama |
| Category | Text |
| Source EBook-No | Project Gutenberg 27673 |
| Release Date |
December 31, 2008 |
| Most Recently Updated |
January 4, 2021 |
| Copyright Status | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 33679 downloads in the last 30 days. |
| Project Gutenberg eBooks are always free! | |
Description
"Oedipus King of Thebes" by Sophocles is a tragic play written in the 5th century BC. This classic piece of literature explores themes of fate, identity, and the pursuit of truth through the story of Oedipus, the King of Thebes, who encounters a troubling past intertwined with prophecies and dire consequences. The narrative involves a deep investigation into the murder of the former king Laïus and the subsequent plague afflicting Thebes, leading Oedipus on a quest filled with devastating revelations. At the start of the play, Thebes is in turmoil due to a devastating plague, prompting Oedipus to seek answers from the oracle at Delphi. He learns that the plague is tied to the unsolved murder of the previous king, Laïus, and commits to uncovering the truth. The opening scenes introduce a crowd of supplicants beseeching Oedipus for help, highlighting the king's initial nobility and determination. As he sends his brother-in-law Creon to consult the oracle and subsequently demands the truth about Laïus’ death, a sense of impending tragedy begins to build as Oedipus unwittingly edges closer to his own dark destiny. The first act sets up the tension between fate and free will that characterizes this profound tragedy.
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