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Greek authors routinely drew their basic material from a cycle of four epic poems, known as the Theban Cycle, that was already ancient in the fifth century B.C.E. According to the oracle, the killer lives in Thebes. Tiresias comes, but refuses to tell Oedipus what he has seen in his prophetic visions. As the play opens, Oedipus, the king of Thebes, asks from a group of people that why they are gathered there. Puzzled at first, then angry, Oedipus insists that Tiresias tell Thebes what he knows. Creon tells Oedipus and the assembled priests the words of the god Apollo, according to the oracle. At last, the furious Oedipus orders Tiresias away. The story of Oedipus and the tragedies that befell his family were nothing new to Sophocles's audience. Oedipus begs him to reveal who Laius’s murderer is, but Tiresias answers only that he knows the truth but wishes he did not. Before Oedipus became king, the previous king, Laius, was murdered, and his murderer was never discovered. “Oedipus the King” (Gr: “Oidipous Tyrannos”; Lat: “Oedipus Rex”) is a tragedy by the ancient Greek playwright Sophocles, first performed in about 429 BCE. Analysis. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The chorus glorifies the gods and destiny, rejecting human pride. The keynote of Oedipus' character lies in his will to know — and, thereby, to control reality. All the people were led by an old priest having garlands and flowers. Oedipus' brilliance and determination serve him well in solving mysteries — like the riddle of the Sphinx — but lead ultimately to his tragic downfall. Tiresias grows angry and says that Oedipus is the cause of … Summary Oedipus the King, lines 338–706 Summary Oedipus the King, lines 338–706. Summary. In this article, students will come across a detailed summary of Oedipus the King (Oedipus Rex); a Greek tragedy written by Sophocles. Start studying Sophocles' Oedipus the King Study Guide. Oedipus sends for Tiresias, the blind prophet, to help with the investigation. Analysis. Oedipus Rex Summary. Describing himself as "a stranger to the story" (248) of the king's murder, Oedipus nevertheless declares that he will fight for Laius "as if … He must be … A boy leads in the blind prophet Tiresias. Oedipus' address to the people of Thebes offers yet another opportunity for dramatic irony. It was the second of Sophocles‘ three Theban plays to be produced, but it comes first in the internal chronology (followed by “Oedipus at Colonus” and then “Antigone”). In the ode, the chorus reflects Oedipus' emerging belief that the prophecies may … O edipus Rex is a Greek tragedy that tells the story of King Oedipus of Thebes, who is fated to kill his father and marry his mother.. 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