OEDIPEX REX SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION TO THE PLAY:
It is considered as one of the three greatest playwrights of classical Greek theatre; Sophocles
is the author of this great tragic play. He wrote more than 100 but, only seven of his complete
plays have survived to reach the modern era, and he won first prize in 24 contests. Best known
are his three Theban plays, Antigone, Oedipus Rex, and Oedipus at Colonus. Sophocles’ other
complete surviving works are Electra, Philoctetes, and Trachiniae Women. He is credited with
changing Greek drama by adding a third actor, reducing the role of the chorus, and paying
greater attention to character development.
INTRODUCTION TO CHARACTERS:
THEBES CORINTH
Laius (King) Jocasta (Queen) Polybus Merope
Oedipus (Son) Creon (Brother of
Jocasta)
Corinth and Merope have no children but unexpectedly they got
Oedipus and they brought up him as their son.
Oedipus Jocasta
Eteocles Polynices Ismene Antigone
Haemon (Fiancé)
Tiresias (Blind Prophet or sooth sayer)
INTRODUCTION TO THE PLAY:
It is considered as one of the three greatest playwrights of classical Greek theatre; Sophocles
is the author of this great tragic play. He wrote more than 100 but, only seven of his complete
plays have survived to reach the modern era, and he won first prize in 24 contests. Best known
are his three Theban plays, Antigone, Oedipus Rex, and Oedipus at Colonus. Sophocles’ other
complete surviving works are Electra, Philoctetes, and Trachiniae Women. He is credited with
changing Greek drama by adding a third actor, reducing the role of the chorus, and paying
greater attention to character development.
INTRODUCTION TO CHARACTERS:
THEBES CORINTH
Laius (King) Jocasta (Queen) Polybus Merope
Oedipus (Son) Creon (Brother of
Jocasta)
Corinth and Merope have no children but unexpectedly they got
Oedipus and they brought up him as their son.
Oedipus Jocasta
Eteocles Polynices Ismene Antigone
Haemon (Fiancé)
Tiresias (Blind Prophet or sooth sayer)
