Character Maps

Oedipus thinks that Creon is attempting to take his thrown, but the chorus leader believes that he should not accuse Creon of something that he does not know is true.

says

places

Thebes

Oedipus says many things throughout the play but some of the most shocking are the ironic sayings

They relate because they both traveled to Corinth and Thebes

places

Thinks

"That i became a citizen of Thebes" (258)

"I have heard that, but I never saw the man." (124)

Thebes and Corinth

The Chorus leader thinks of Teiresias as a very truthful man, a man who is not like other men but "god-like."

Does

thinks

"I’ve come from Corinth."(1118)

The chorus leader attempts to mediate the conflict between Teiresias and Oedipus.

He thinks Oedipus is the infant he rescued

"But at last Teiresias is being guided here,

our god-like prophet, in whom the truth resides

more so than in all other men. (354-356)"

"If you must know, he received you many years ago as a gift. I gave you to him." (1217)

"To us it sounds as if Teiresias

has spoken in anger, and, Oedipus,

you have done so, too. That’s not what we need.

Instead we should be looking into this:

How can we best carry out the god’s decree (485-489)?"

thinks

feels

Oedipus

he thinks Creon is trying to steal his throne

Chorus Leader

anger, and sadness

feels

Says

Sees

Says

saddness-"O light, let me look at you one final time, a man who stands revealed as cursed by birth," (1420)

He feel both happy and sad for Oedipus what he must tell him the news of his fathers death

"I caught him committing treason, conspiring against my royal authority." (780)

He tells Oedipus that he is not Polybus' son

messenger

The Chorus leader sees the result of Oedipus after his eyes are gouged out.

anger-"you insult the city!" (340)

The Chorus leader says that Oedipus should not be so quick to judge because of a story that has not been proven true.

"you will, no doubt, be glad, although perhaps you will be sad, as well." (1110)

"I do not believe

what you did to yourself is for the best. Better to be dead than alive and blind (1613-1615)."

"But Polybus was not your father, no more than I am" (1215)

"You should not accuse a friend of yours

and thus dishonour him with a mere story

which may not be true, when he’s sworn an oath

and therefore could be subject to a curse. (794-797)."

These relate because Oedipus think that Creon is trying to steal his throne

Reacts To

Feels

reacts to

does

Reacts to

The chorus leader reacts to Oedipus accusing him of requesting Oedipus to exile himself from Thebes or kill himself.

does

He reacts to finding his curse was true

The chorus leader feels that Creon must be innocent of the crimes Oedipus charged him with.

He gouges his eyes out

He tells Oedipus that his father is dead and the people have chosen him to be their king

"No, no, by sacred Helios, the god

who stands pre-eminent before the rest,

may I die the most miserable of deaths,

abandoned by the gods and by my friends,

if I have ever harboured such a thought (801-805)"

He reacts to realizing that Oedipus was the young child he saved

"For a man concerned about being killed,

my lord, he has spoken eloquently.

Those who are unreliable give rash advice. (745-747)"

"which stabbed out my eyes was mine alone."(1585)

"why should I have eyes when nothing I could see would bring me joy" (1586)

"The people who live there, in the lands beside the Isthmus, will make him their king. They have announced it." (1114)

"If you must know, he received you many years ago as a gift. I gave you to him." (1218)

The Messenger tells them Polybus is dead and she is commenting by saying its good he's dead

Both Tieresies and the messanger go to thebes

Oedipus is angry because Tiresias is not telling him about his birth and the prophecy.

Thinks

They both harm themselves when they find out the truth

Teiresias thinks that Oedipus is ignorant and believes Oedipus is not ready for the truth

"You are all ignorant. I will not reveal the troubling things inside me, which I can call your grief as well." (391-393)

Feels

She cares about Oedipus'

Reacts to

Says

Thinks

"I care about your own well being" (Line 1279)

Says

These relate because the news the messenger gives causes him to realize his fate has come true

Teiresias reacts to Oedipus claiming he did nothing to save the people of Thebes from the Sphinx

"You may be king, but I have the right to answer you—and I control that right, for I am not your slave."(490-493)

The prophecy is not real

She says it is good that Polybus is dead

"I see your words are also out of place.I do not speak for fear of doing the same" (386-387)

Teiresias does not speak the truth of Lauis because of Oedipus' disposition

Thinks

"So far as these oracular sayings go, I would not look for confirmation anywhere" (Line 1025)

"your father's death is a great comfort to us" (Line 1174)

Creon believes Oedipus is unbalanced

"I can see that you've become unbalanced" (759)

Does

Reacts To

"Don’t try to be in charge of everything.Your life has lost the power you once had." (1803-1804)

Creon sends out Oedipus after he blinds himself

"You are obstinate—obviously unhappy to concede,

and when you lose your temper, you go too far." (813-816)

Creon reacts to Oedipus' temper

Teiresias

Jocasta

Creon

Goes

Feels

Creon goes to Apollo's shrine to find a way to save Thebes.

"So I have sent away my brother-in-law, son of Menoeceus,Creon, to Pythian Apollo’s shrine, to learn from him what I might do or say to save our city." (81-85)

"In my view, to throw away a noble friend is like a man who parts with his own life, the thing most dear to him" (739-741)

Creon feels that a noble friend like your own life which you keep close to you and throwing hat friend away is like killing yourself.

Both the Messenger and the Servant were shepherds in Cithaeron.

Says

Places She Goes

Does

"But men like that find it most difficult to tolerate themselves. In that there’s justice." (818-819)

Creon showcases that he is a wise and sensible individual

Goes

Feels

She hangs herself because Oedipus is trying to learn of his birth

She goes to the shrine of Apollo and prays that he will end the city's corruption.

"Alas, alas! How dreadful it can be to have wisdom when it brings no benefit to the man possessing it." (373-376)

Teiresias feels that his knowledge benefits all but him

But at last Teiresias is being guided here, our god-like prophet, in whom the truth resides more so than in all other men." (354-356)

Teiresias is summond by Oedipus to speak the truth about Lauis

"Visit our Gods sacred shrine" (line 1080)

"Prayers for you to find some way of cleansing what corrupts us" (Line 1091)

"She was hanging there, swaying, with twisted cords roped round her neck" (Line 1507)

Reacts to

She is reacting to Oedipus wanting to know more about his birth

Does

Teiresias is done speaking with Oedipus for he think Oedipus is being unreasonable.

"I will say nothing more. Fume on about it, if you wish, as fiercely as you can." (409-410)

"If you have some concern for your own life, then stop!" (Line 1060)

Goes

Corinth and Thebes

"Stranger from Corinth" (1340)

Does

Thinks

He gave the Messenger baby Oedipus

He thinks he will die if he tells Oedipus the truth

"There's an even greater chance that I'll be killed" (Line 1388)

"I did give him the child" (Line 1391)

Servant

Feels

Says

He confirms Oedipus' prophecy

He is afraid because Oedipus is threatening him

"The story went that he would kill his father" (Line 1409)

"You know your birth carried an awful fate" (Line 1417)

"Once we start to hurt you, you will talk.

By all the gods, don't torture an old man." (Line 1380)

Reacts to

He reacts angrily towards the Messenger for telling Oedipus about his birth

"Damn you! Can't you keep quiet about it" (Line 1372)