Brucellosis is a highly contagious zoonosis caused by ingestion of unsterilized milk or meat from infected cows or close contact with their secretions. Therefore, although the first part of the play is rife with references to the plague and its consequences, in the second part there are only sporadic referrals to the epidemic. Please use the form below to submit correspondence to the authors or contact them at the following address: Antonis A. Kousoulis, History of Medicine Department, School of Medicine, University of Athens, 131 Lambrou Katsoni Str., Athens, 18344 Greece. If you are present, being an active listener, and taking part in class discussions, you will be able to complete all of this in class. Greek audiences would have known the Oedipus story, and so in this scene Oedipus would seem to be describing his own fate, or even bringing this fate upon himself. Section 6: Oedipus the King, lines 338-706, Section 8: Oedipus the King, lines 1008-1310, Section 9: Oedipus the King, lines 1311-1684, Section 10: Oedipus at Colonus, lines 1-576, Section 11: Oedipus at Colonus, lines 577-1192, Section 12: Oedipus at Colonus, lines 1193-1645, Section 13: Oedipus at Colonus, lines 1646-2001. The story would have been a familiar one to Sophocles's audience. For the next 7 days, you'll have access to awesome PLUS stuff like AP English test prep, No Fear Shakespeare translations and audio, a note-taking tool, personalized dashboard, & much more! Ironically, Oedipus thought that by leaving Corinth he was beating the prophecy that he would murder his father and marry his mother. He asks why Tiresias did nothing when Thebes suffered under a plague once before. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! Skip to document. In lines 167215 the Chorus stays on stage to summarize the situation and beg for salvation (2,3). In a moving speech, a priest tells Oedipus the city's woes: the crops are ruined, cattle are sick, women die in labor and children are stillborn, and people are perishing from the plague. In Oedipus Rex, how does Oedipus's tragic flaw lead to his downfall? He asks if anyone knows who killed Laius, promising that the informant will be rewarded and the murderer will receive no harsher punishment than exile. Sometimes it can end up there. Through the character of the priest, Sophocles makes the audience/reader aware of the sacred and secular state of Thebes. The plague is an infestation of disease-carrying insects that spread rapidly through the population, killing many. A plague followed and the stage was set for the action of Sophocles' Oedipus Rex. The king has already taken some action to deal with this harm by sending his brother-in-law, Creon, to the oracle at Delphi to ask for a salvation plan (lines 6872). Jocasta rejoices, convinced that Polybus's death from natural causes has disproved the prophecy that Oedipus . The oracle has predicted that the burial place of Oedipus will bring good fortune to the city in which it is located, and both sons, as well as Creon, know of this prophecy. March 3, 2023, SNPLUSROCKS20 An oracle warned Laius, the king of Thebes prior to Oedipus, that his son would murder him. He now feels much more inclined to agree with the queen in deeming prophecies worthless and viewing chance as the principle governing the world. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. We adopted a critical approach to Oedipus Rex in analyzing the literary description of the disease, unraveling its clinical features, and defining a possible underlying cause. Surely it suggests exactly the opposite. Creon returns, bearing good news: once the killer of the previous king, Laius, is found, Thebes will be cured of the plague (Laius was Jocasta's husband before she married Oedipus). Oedipus doesn't believe him since he did not know who Laius was when he killed him and sends him away. The story of Oedipus is the subject of Sophocles' tragedy Oedipus . The citizens carry branches wrapped in wool, which they offer to the gods as gifts. B. Creon wanted to become king, so he never cared enough to investigate. Skip to document. Kousoulis AA, Economopoulos KP, Poulakou-Rebelakou E, et al. The messenger tells Creon that he has another reason to grieve: Eurydice has stabbed herself, and, as she died, she called down curses on her husband for the misery his pride had caused. Blind and frail, he walks with the help of his daughter, Antigone. Epidemics, stillbirths, and miscarriages caused by B. abortus have been reported since the time of Hippocrates, which is when this disease was initially described. Antigone embraces Polynices, saying that he is condemning himself to death, but he resolutely says that his life remains in the hands of the gods. Sophocles and The Oedipus Plays Background. A plague besets the city, and Oedipus enters to find a priest and crowd of children praying to the gods to free them from the curse. Summary of Oedipus the King (Oedipus Rex) - Literary English The Story of Oedipus: The Most Tragic of All Greek - GreekReporter.com Oedipus also discovers that he married his mother. Instant downloads of all 1699 LitChart PDFs He asks that they provide him with a proper burial should he die in battle. The story of Oedipus is perhaps the most tragic story of ancient Greece.The mythological character was the king of Thebes and lived under the shadow of a curse that could not be avoided to the end of his days. Troy, Mycenae, and the otologic demise of Herr Heinrich Schliemann. Why is Thebes experiencing trouble at the start of Oedipus? Given the potential medical interest of Oedipus Rex, we decided to adopt a critical perspective by analyzing the literary descriptions of the plague, unraveling its clinical features, defining the underlying cause, and discussing possible therapeutic options. Just as the messenger finishes his story, Antigone and Ismene come onstage, chanting a dirge. King Theseus arrives and says that he pities Oedipus for the fate that has befallen him, and he asks how he can help Oedipus. What three terrible effects is the plague causing in Thebes? The Plague of Thebes, a Historical Epidemic in Sophocles Oedipus Rex. Outside the palace, a messenger approaches Jocasta and tells her that he has come from Corinth to inform Oedipus that his father, Polybus, is dead, and that Corinth has asked Oedipus to come and rule there in his place. New Plague in Thebes 560 BCE % complete There is a new plague in Thebes. These cookies may also be used for advertising purposes by these third parties. (one code per order). $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% Sophocles, one of the most noted playwrights of the ancient world, wrote the tragedy Oedipus Rex in the first half of the decade 430-420 bc. The plague of Thebes, a historical epidemic in Sophocles' Oedipus Rex The plague of Athens: epidemiology and paleopathology. . Oedipus' wife and mother hanged themselves when the truth of their relationship was known, although Oedipus continued to rule Thabs until his death. The epidemic, in fact, is mostly a matter that serves the theatrical economy by forming a background for the evolution of the plot. Among the diseases caused by these pathogens that can affect humans are the following: 1) tularemia, which is a disease mainly transmitted through rabbits; 2) smallpox, which is not a cattle zoonosis; 3) leishmaniasis, which is not a highly contagious disease; and 4) leptospirosis, which has been associated with epidemics after rainfall and flooding in relation to rodent infestation. The play opens in front of Oedipus' palace at Thebes. Oedipus steps out of the royal palace of Thebes and is greeted by a procession of priests, who are in turn surrounded by the impoverished and sorrowful citizens of Thebes. Creon decides to pardon Ismene, but vows to kill Antigone by walling her up alive in a tomb. He has already sent Creon to ask the Delphic Oracle's advice. from Oxford University Ph.D. from St. Andrews University. Oedipus the King opens with a plague strangling the life out of Thebes. Oedipus asks Theseus to drive Polynices away, but Antigone convinces her father to listen to his son. Oedipus sends Creon to Delphi to consult the oracle, or priestess, there, about the cause of the plague in Thebes. This hypothesis regarding the source of the disease seems the most reasonable in medical terms, contrary to the philological approach, which declares that the epidemic derived from the gods. Oedipus also learns that Laius is his father and that Jocasta, his wife, is his mother. At the moment that Tiresias reveals to Oedipus that the king himself is the cause of the plague (lines 350353), the epidemic becomes a secondary issue, and, as a result, there are only occasional references to the plague during the remainder of the play (lines 665666, 685686, 13801383, 14241428) (2,3). Now "a black sea of terror" has overwhelmed him because he was all too successful in solving this latest riddle of the pestilence upon Thebes. for a group? Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. The characteristics of pathogens that might be responsible for the plague on the basis of Sophocles descriptions in Oedipus Rex are summarized in the Technical Appendix. (Spoiler alert: It's his own bad leadership.) The chorus, which represents the elders of Thebes, appeals to the gods as the agents of fate and rulers of the world to save the city. A lethal plague is described in this drama. Oedipus responds by sending his brother-in-law, Creon, to the oracle of Apollo to discover how to save Thebes. Oedipus and the Plague: The Will to Endure A messenger enters to narrate the mysterious death of Oedipus: his death seemed a disappearance of sorts, the lightless depths of Earth bursting open in kindness to receive him (18861887). . Tiresias defends his skills as a prophet, noting that Oedipuss parents found him trustworthy. The Tragic Dynasties Thebes: The House of Cadmus - CliffsNotes In Oedipus's new kingdom of Thebes, there was a plague that was hurting the kingdom, so Oedipus searched for answers. Despite his anger and harshness, Oedipus is a noble figure because he really does feel the grief of his people and is utterly single-minded in tracking down the source of their distress. Creon goes on to tell the story of Laiuss murder. Several sections, primarily in the first third of the play, refer to the aforementioned plague; the epidemic, however, is not the primary topic of the tragedy. Realizing who he is and who his parents are, Oedipus screams that he sees the truth and flees back into the palace. The devastating plague that dominates Thebes is presented to the audience through the dialogue between Oedipus and the Priest (lines 167) (2,3). Greek & Roman Mythology - Greek Tragedy - University Of Pennsylvania Purchasing The messenger, a shepherd by profession, knows firsthand that Oedipus came to Corinth as an orphan. He must be driven out in order for the plague to end. The writing of the tragedy Oedipus the King (original Greek title , most commonly known as Oedipus Rex) is placed in the first half of the decade 430420 bc. They want King Oedipus to save the city. Struggling with distance learning? Consequently, a solution for the situation is requested from the oracle at Delphi (lines 6872), while the Chorus plead for Athena, Zeus, Artemis, and Apollo to save the town from the disaster (lines 160165) (2,3). Oedipus questions Creon about the murder of Laius, who was killed by thieves on his way to consult an oracle. Classical Literature Quiz: Oedipus Rex By Sophocles Antigone wails that they will cry for Oedipus for as long as they live. You can view our. When Oedipus discovers the truth of his actions, he is wrought with horror and self-loathing. You'll also receive an email with the link. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. At this early moment, we see Oedipuss dangerous pride, which explains his willful blindness and, to a certain extent, justifies his downfall. 216-275: Oedipus asks the Thebans to help him find and expel Laius' murderer. Oedipus Rex Summary. . Instant PDF downloads. As proof, she notes that the Delphic oracle once told Laius he would be murdered by his son, when in fact his son was cast out of Thebes as a baby, and Laius was murdered by a band of thieves. According to the World Health Organization, an epidemic is defined as a disease outbreak and, therefore, the occurrence of cases of disease in excess of what would normally be expected in a defined community, geographic area, or season (15). Moreover, we could not overlook that Sophocles is the most realist of the Greek tragedians (1), and ancient tragedies were often placed into a historical frame strongly influenced by major contemporary events (13). Theseus says that he believes Oedipus and asks what to do. Creon appears in order to abduct Oedipus, but, proving unsuccessful, he kidnaps Antigone and Ismene instead. Historical certainty can be added by studying the alliances and the warfare involving Thebes during the era of Sophocles (e.g., Boeotian prefecture, Athenian dynasty, Spartan alliance, Persian wars) (14). he mortality rate for untreated brucellosis is difficult to determine from the literature of the preantibiotic era (6); nevertheless, an 80% rate has been reported in situations of comorbidity with endocarditis (7). Oedipus castigates the citizens of Thebes for letting the murderer go unknown so long. As Eteocles' turn came first, Polyneices withdrew to . Hence, the citizens of Thebes were often called children of Cadmus or Cadmeians. A critical reading of Oedipus Rex and a comparison with Thucydides history, as well as a systematic review of historical data, strongly suggests that this epidemic was an actual event, possibly caused by Brucella abortus. Oedipus Rex or Oedipus the King, is the first play in this trilogy of Athenian Tragedies . Renews March 10, 2023 Oedipus was perhaps doomed from birth, for many prophecies were told about Oedipus before and after his birth. In the historical case (Athens) and the dramatic case (Thebes), the populace turned to the temples looking for a divine solution to the disaster. for a group? Accessed 4 Mar. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. PROLOGUE / THE SCENE. Table of Contents Volume 18, Number 1January 2012. Latest answer posted December 09, 2017 at 3:30:49 PM. At the start of the play, the city of Thebes is suffering terribly. It was then, on the journey that would take him to Thebes, that Oedipus was confronted and harassed by a group of travelers, whom he killed in self-defense. Oedipus fears mass destruction of the city of Thebes (with the god's good help success is sure; 'tis ruin if we fail, line 146), while the words weltering surge of blood (line 24), fiery plague (line 166), the land is sore distressed (line 685), and wailing on the altar stair, wives and grandams rend the air, long-drawn moans and piercing cries blent with prayers and litanies (lines 184186) (2,3) all illustrate vividly the severity of the situation.