Plays of Sophocles

The Project Gutenberg eBook "Plays of Sophocles: Oedipus the King; Oedipus at Colonus; Antigone" presents three of the most famous Greek tragedies. "Oedipus the King" tells the tragic story of Oedipus, King of Thebes. An oracle foretold that he would kill his father and marry his mother. Despite his parents' attempts to abandon him as an infant, Oedipus survived and grew up believing he was the son of the King of Corinth. Upon learning of the prophecy, he fled Corinth to avoid fulfilling it, inadvertently killing his true father, Laius, at a crossroads. Arriving in Thebes, he solved the riddle of the Sphinx, saving the city and becoming king, marrying Jocasta, his mother. Unaware of his parentage, they had children. A plague then struck Thebes, and an oracle revealed that the killer of Laius must be purged from the land. Through investigation, Oedipus discovers the horrifying truth: he is the murderer of his father and the husband of his mother. In despair, Jocasta hangs herself, and Oedipus blinds himself. "Oedipus at Colonus" finds the blind and exiled Oedipus, led by his daughters Antigone and Ismene, arriving in Colonus, near Athens. An oracle had indicated this would be his final resting place, a place that would bring blessings to Athens. Oedipus seeks refuge and protection from Theseus, the King of Athens. Initially shunned by the locals upon learning his identity, Oedipus appeals to Athens' renowned hospitality and hints at the benefits his presence will bring. Creon of Thebes arrives, attempting to seize Oedipus and his daughters, but Theseus intervenes and rescues them. Theseus then brings Oedipus news of a visitor, who turns out to be Oedipus's estranged son, Polyneices. Polyneices begs his father for a blessing before leading an army against his brother Eteocles for the throne of Thebes, as an oracle stated victory would favor the side Oedipus supported. Oedipus, however, curses both his sons for their conflict and neglect. A divine sign indicates Oedipus's death is near. He leads Theseus to a secret place where he is to die, his passing marked by thunder. Theseus and his daughters bid him farewell, and Oedipus is taken by the gods. "Antigone" follows Antigone's defiance of King Creon's decree. After their brothers Eteocles and Polyneices kill each other in battle, Creon grants Eteocles a hero's burial but forbids Polyneices' burial, deeming him a traitor. Antigone, upholding divine law over human decree, resolves to bury Polyneices. Despite her sister Ismene's pleas for caution, Antigone proceeds, is caught, and brought before Creon. She proudly defends her actions, asserting the eternal laws of the gods above man's commands. Creon condemns her to be immured alive. Haemon, Creon's son and Antigone's betrothed, pleads for her life but is rejected. Warned by the prophet Teiresias, Creon regrets his decision and rushes to free Antigone, but finds she has hanged herself, and Haemon, in despair, has also taken his own life. Creon returns to his palace to find his wife Eurydice has also committed suicide upon hearing of their son's death. The play concludes with Creon, utterly broken, accepting responsibility for the tragic events.