Oedipus Structure

Ancient Philosophy

Parts• Prologue• Parodos• First Episode• First Choral Ode• Second Episode• Second Choral Ode• Third Episode• Third Choral Ode• Fourth Episode• Fourth Choral Ode• Fifth Episode• Fifth Choral Ode• Exodos

Prologue

• The effect of the plague on Thebes

• Oedipus and priest

• Oedipus and Creon

• Oedipus as savior

Parodos

• Entry of the chorus of Thebans.

• Prayers to various gods to aid Thebes

Episode 1

• the response of Oedipus: "let me answer...."

• the curse of Oedipus

• Oedipus and Tiresias: "the murderer is here"

Choral Ode 1

• the oracle of Apollo.

• Description of murderer as animal.

• Man's ignorance.

Episode 2

• The beginnings of the truth

• Oedipus & Creon– conspiracy charge

• Oedipus & Jocasta– doubts about oracles

Choral Ode 2

• tyrant's pride

• Effect of religious scepticism and impiety.– "why should I honour the gods?"

Episode 3

• The truth revealed

• prayer of Jocasta

• Oedipus, Jocasta, the messenger– Oedipus is not the son of Polybus

• Oedipus believes he is a "son of Chance"

Choral Ode 3

• Speculation about the parentage of Oedipus.

• Is he the son of a god?

Episode 4

• The truth confirmed

• Oedipus, messenger, herdsman

Choral Ode 4

• "the generations of men"

• Oedipus as man of misery

Episode 5

• Death of Jocasta & the blinding of Oedipus

• Messenger speech

• Oedipus & chorus

• Oedipus & Creon– Oedipus’ requests denied

• Oedipus as polluted criminal

Exodus

• Count no man happy before he is dead