Oedipus at Colonus
Work Cited
"The LitCharts Study Guide to Oedipus at Colonus." LitCharts. Web. 27 Apr. 2015.
The Chorus: Advancing the Plot
Roche, Paul. The Oedipus Plays of Sophocles; Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus, Antigone. New York: New American Library, 1958. Print.
Prologue
Prologue Significance
Theme of Redemption
- Sets the scene for most of the play.
- Shows the importance of the rock
- Countryman informs them that “It may not be touched, and none may live upon it.”
- Oedipus intends to stay but requests that the countryman talk to King Theseus on his behalf.
- Redemption of his entire life
- Oedipus growing as a person
- Transition from beggar to hero
- Life is a learning process
- Ending with Oedipus being at inner peace with himself
1. Represent the elders of Athens
- What the chorus literally represents
ex: page 75
Theme of Redemption
Functions of the Chorus
"Swan Song"
1. Represents the elders of Athens
2. Helps the play to flow out of breaks
3. Helps to connect to the common man
2. Helps the play to flow out of breaks
- The final gesture.
- Sophocles' example
- Oedipus' example
- Forgiveness by Oedipus
- When characters leave
- Prevents awkward breaks
- flows into the next "scene"
ex: Theseus and Creon leaving
3. Helps to connect to the common man
- Elders(older respected members of the community)
- Act as any other citizen would(knowing the story of Oedipus
- Reacting to Oedipus being blind
Image by goodtextures: http://fav.me/d2he3r8