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MonkeyNotes-Oedipus at Colonus by Sophocles
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In the wordy duel between Theseus and Creon, there are several
hints made about the possibility of an outbreak of violence
between Thebes and Athens. This proves that Oedipus' earlier
words about an outbreak of a war between Thebes and its
neighbors may soon come true. In legends of later events in
Thebes, Theseus espoused the cause of the seven Argive warriors
who fought and fell at the gates of Thebes in their attempt to
restore Polyneices' right to rule. When Creon refused burial to the
seven dead warriors, who had unsuccessfully attacked Thebes,
Theseus joined Adrastus (Polyneices' father-in-law) and marched
against Creon, defeated him, and gave the rites of burial to
Polyneices and the slain heroes.
This scene, therefore, presents a sophisticated debate that explores
the relative rights and wrongs of the case for Oedipus' return to
Thebes. This was a device that Euripides, Sophocles'
contemporary, often used in his plays, and which Sophocles
borrowed. The two dimensions apparent in this debate are the
political angle and the moral issue of Oedipus' guilt or innocence.
This latter part of Episode II, with its weighty arguments, contrasts
sharply with the hectic action presented in the first half of the same
episode.
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MonkeyNotes-Oedipus at Colonus by Sophocles
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