Character List

Oedipus the King

Oedipus King of Thebes. As a young man, he saved the city of
Thebes by solving the riddle of the Sphinx and destroying the
monster. He now sets about finding the murderer of the former
king Laius to save Thebes from plague.
Creon The second-in-command in Thebes, brother-in-law of
Oedipus. He is Oedipus' trusted advisor, selected to go to the
oracle at Delphi to seek the Apollo's advice in saving the city from
plague.
Tiresias A blind prophet who has guided the kings of Thebes with
his advice and counsel.
Jocasta Queen of Thebes, wife of Oedipus. She was the widow
of Thebes' former king, Laius, and married Oedipus when he
saved the city from the Sphinx.
A Messenger from Corinth A man bringing news of the royal
family to Oedipus.
A Shepherd A herder from the nearby mountains, who once
served in the house of Laius.
A Messenger A man who comes from the palace to announce
the death of the queen and the blinding of Oedipus.

Antigone and Ismene Oedipus' young daughters.

Chorus A group of Theban elders, and their Leader, who
comment on the events of the drama and react to its tragic
progression.
Oedipus at Colonus
Antigone Daughter of Oedipus. She leads her blind father on his
travels and serves his needs.
A Citizen of Colonus A passer-by who notices Oedipus and
Antigone trespassing on sacred ground.
Ismene Daughter of Oedipus, sister of Antigone. She lives in
Thebes and brings her father and sister news while they stay in
Colonus.
Theseus King of Athens. He acts as Oedipus' ally by protecting
him in Colonus and witnesses his death.
Creon King of Thebes, brother-in-law of Oedipus. Responsible for
Oedipus' exile, Creon is now interested in returning the former
king to Thebes to avoid a curse.
Polynices Son of Oedipus, brother of Antigone and Ismene.
Driven out of Thebes after a power struggle with his brother
Eteocles and Creon, he is an exile like his father, and plans to
take Thebes by force.

A Messenger A man who tells the elders of the city of Oedipus'

death.
Chorus A group of elders of Colonus who confront Oedipus and
comment on the unfolding events in the play.
Antigone
Antigone Daughter of Oedipus. She defies a civil law forbidding
the burial of Polynices, her brother, in order to uphold the divine
law requiring that the dead be put to rest with proper rituals.
Ismene Sister of Antigone, daughter of Oedipus. She timidly
refuses to join her sister in disobeying the civil law, but later wants
to join her in death.
Creon King of Thebes, brother-in-law of Oedipus, uncle of
Polynices, Antigone, and Ismene. His strict order to leave
Polynices' body unburied and his refusal to admit the possibility
that he is wrong bring about the events of the tragedy.
Haemon Son of Creon, promised in marriage to Antigone. He
argues calmly for Antigone's release, but meets with angry
rejection.
A Sentry Who brings news of the attempted burial of Polynices.
Tiresias The blind prophet who advised Laius and Oedipus,
before Creon. His auguries show that the gods are angered by
Creon's decision to leave Polynices unbturied.

Eurydice Queen of Thebes, wife of Creon. On hearing of the

death of her son, she kills herself.
A Messenger A man who tells of the deaths of Antigone,
Haemon, and Eurydice.
Chorus The elders of Thebes and their Leader. They listen loyally
to Creon and rebuke Antigone, but advise the king to change his
mind when Tiresias warns of the gods' punishment.

Themes:

FATE AND FREE WILL

WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE
In Oedipus the King, Oedipus is a seeker of knowledge and truth. He struggles to uncover
Laiuss murder and his own identity, despite numerous warnings that he should leave the truth
alone. His pursuit of knowledge and truth, however, results in ruin as Oedipus uncovers his
destiny, which he was better off not knowing. This suggests that knowledge is futile and limited
in its ability to bring happiness to those who seek it.

POWER
Power both corrupts and metaphorically blinds characters in the Oedipus the King. As a ruler,
Oedipus is arrogant, unperceptive, and downright mean to people around him... even though
he's acting for the always-nebulous "good of the people." Assuming other characters are trying
to steal his power, Oedipus doesn't listen to their wisdom.

MEMORY AND THE PAST

Memories of the past have a complex impact on the characters in Oedipus the King. One
message in this play is that delving too far into the pastas Oedipus does against the warnings
of nearly everyone around himis dangerous and self-injuring.