Character List of Oedipus Group 1
Oedipus: the king of Thebes, married to Jocasta. He was raised in Corinth but left when an oracle
predicted doom for him. In his wanderings he came upon a monster called the Sphinx who was
laying waste to the city and killing any man who could not answer her riddle. Oedipus
successfully answered the riddle, rescuing Thebes from the Sphinx. Then he married Jocasta, the
wife of Laius, king of Thebes, who had recently been killed.
Jocasta: wife of Oedipus and queen of Thebes. Before Oedipus, she was married to Laius. Years
before this play, an oracle told that Laius would be murdered by a family member. Because
Laius was supposedly killed by robbers, she does not believe in the power of oracles to predict
the future.
Creon: Jocasta's brother, he shares one third of Thebes's riches with Oedipus and Jocasta. He is a
devout follower of the oracle of Apollo, and as the play opens, he is returning from the oracle
with the news that Laius's killer must be found. He is a loyal friend to Oedipus.
Character List of Oedipus Group 2
Teiresias: a blind prophet; Oedipus calls on him to find Laius's killer but becomes furious when
Teiresias gives him bad news. Oedipus does not listen, instead accusing Teiresias of conspiring
with Creon to overthrow him.
Messenger from Corinth: he arrives to tell Oedipus that his father Polybus is dead, and that the
people of Corinth would like Oedipus to be their king. He also reveals some disturbing news
about Oedipus’ past.
Shepherd: Witnessed Laius's death. He gave the messenger from Corinth something extremely
important, news of which will haunt Oedipus throughout the play.
Character List of Oedipus Group 3
Priest: his followers are making sacrifices to the gods at the beginning of the play, hoping that
the gods will lift the blight that has struck the city.
Attendant: a servant of Oedipus and Jocasta who reveals what happened in the palace after
Oedipus learns of the terrible truth.
Ismene and Antigone: Oedipus's young daughters who are both as loyal and headstrong as their
father.
Chorus: a group of men who serve to build the mood of the piece. They sing as one voice,
giving vital information about the play.
Structure of Greek Tragedy Group 4
Prologue: A monologue or dialogue preceding the entry of the chorus, which presents the
tragedy's topic.
Parode (Entrance Ode): The entry chant of the chorus. Generally, they remain on stage
throughout the remainder of the play. Although they wear masks, their dancing is expressive, as
conveyed by the hands, arms and body.
Typically the parode and other choral odes involve the following parts, repeated in order several
times:
1. Strophê (Turn): A stanza in which the chorus moves in one direction (toward the altar).
2. Antistrophê (Counter-Turn): The following stanza, in which it moves in the opposite
direction. The antistrophe is in the same meter as the strophe.
3. Epode (After-Song): The epode is in a different, but related, meter to the strophe and
antistrophe, and is chanted by the chorus standing still.
Structure of Greek Tragedy Group 5
Episode: There are several episodes (typically 3-5) in which one or two actors interact with the
chorus. They are, at least in part, sung or chanted. Each episode is terminated by a stasimon.
Stasimon (Stationary Song): A song in which the chorus may comment on or react to the
preceding episode.
Exode (Exit Ode): The exit song of the chorus after the last episode.
Places/Objects/Ideas in Oedipus Group 6
Thebes: The city in which all events take place. Thebes is deteriorating, with infertile soil, and
women who are giving birth only to stillborns. As a result, its ruler, Oedipus, wants to find out
what is wrong.
Sphinx's riddle: Thebes was cursed by this riddle, which Oedipus solved when he first came to
Thebes. As a result, he was considered the savior of the city, and people expect him to save
Thebes again from its current troubles.
Shrine: Every time someone has a problem, they go to the appropriate god's shrine to pray. The
common belief is that the gods will solve problems or show people the road to a solution.
Corinth: The city where Oedipus grew up. He left Corinth because he was scared of his fate—a
fate he tried to control.
Places/Objects/Ideas in Oedipus Group 7
Fate: the concept of one’s life and outcomes being predetermined. Fate is a powerful force, one
that drives people to desperate actions in this play.
Oracles: An entity, often female, who sees the future and offers the news to those brave enough
to seek it. Fate is predicted by the oracles, and the elders believe that it is a sin not to believe
them.
Isthmia: Corinth is a part of this land. The Corinthian comes to Thebes to tell Oedipus that his
father has died, and that the people of Isthmia want him to become their new ruler.
Mount Kithairon: This is the place Oedipus chooses for his new home when he is exiled from
Thebes.