Lines 1447 - 1499

The major part of this section of Episode IV is devoted to a "kommos" featuring the chorus, Oedipus, and Antigone. It contains two strophes and their corresponding anti-strophes. The first strophe starts at line 1447 and ends at 1456, while the first anti- strophe runs from 1462-71. The second strophe begins at line 1477 and runs on to line 1485; the anti-strophe follows at line 1491 and ends at 1499. The intervening lines (1457-61, 1472-76, and 1486- 90) are spoken by Oedipus and Antigone who also participate in this "kommos".

In the first strophe, the chorus bewails the latest ills that trouble Oedipus and portends a heavy doom. Time overthrows those in good fortune and lifts others from disgrace to honor. Now the ominous sound of thunder is heard, and the chorus prays for Zeus' protection. Oedipus then asks his children to fetch the peerless Theseus as he (Oedipus) knows that "this thunder, winged by Jove/Zeus" will soon lead him to death and to Hades.

The chorus expresses their fear of these loud thunderbolts hurled to earth by Zeus/Jove. They confess it makes their hair stand on end and their soul is sorely disturbed by these ear-splitting rounds and the flashes of lightning. They dread these portents from the sky which seem to herald some grave issue that is about to occur. Oedipus is convinced his death is near and he can no longer avert it. When Antigone asks him how he knows this, he merely answers. "I feel it." He once more asks for Theseus.

The chorus then calls on Theseus to come at once even if he is amid the process of offering a sacrifice to honor their patron-god, Poseidon. They summon him to come in haste as Oedipus wishes to offer their city, its people, and king a just reward for the benefits he has enjoyed at Colonus.

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