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The Pre-Oedipus Story

The Pre-Oedipus Story. All the knowledge that a student needs to know BEFORE reading “Oedipus ”. Once Upon a Time . . . It all began in Greece, in a city-state by the name of Thebes. King Laius and Queen Jocasta were expecting their first child when they received a disturbing prophesy :.

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The Pre-Oedipus Story

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  1. The Pre-Oedipus Story All the knowledge that a student needs to know BEFORE reading “Oedipus”

  2. Once Upon a Time . . . • It all began in Greece, in a city-state by the name of Thebes. • King Laius and Queen Jocasta were expecting their first child when they received a disturbing prophesy:

  3. Their son would kill his father and marry his mother !!!

  4. What to do? • Faced with a bad situation, Laius and Jocasta decide to KILL their new little baby. • They pierce their son’s ankles and give him to a shepherd to kill.

  5. What to do? • The shepherd doesn’t like this situation at all!!! He can’t kill the baby either! • He gives the baby to another Shepherded

  6. Corinth • Shepherd #2 gives the baby to King Polybus and Queen Merope of Corinth, who haven’t been able to have their own children. • They raise Oedipus as their child, never telling him that he is, in fact, adopted.

  7. The TRUTH • At a wedding, a guest who has indulged a bit too much, tells Oedipus that Polybus and Merope are not his parents.

  8. Oedipus confronts Polybus and Merope, who promptly deny it. • He decides to go to the Oracle at Delphi to ask it about his parents (hoping for a straight answer).

  9. The Oracle at Delphi • Of course, the Oracle isn’t really good at straight answers. • Oedipus asks the Oracle if Polybus and Merope are his real parents. • The Oracle answers him by giving him a prophesy:

  10. “You will kill your father and beget (have) children by your mother.”

  11. Go west young man! • Oedipus decides that he can’t go back home (Corinth), otherwise he may kill his father (Polybus) and marry his mom (Merope).

  12. But, as readers, we know . . . • Polybus and Merope are not his real parents. • Therefore, he could go back to Corinth if he wanted to. • The worst way that he could head is towards Thebes. • Therefore, he heads towards Thebes

  13. Meanwhile, back in Thebes . . . • A curse has beset the people of Thebes in the form of the Sphinx. • The Sphinx asks a riddle, and if you can’t answer it, well, you will die. • To help his people, King Laius decides to travel to the Oracle at Delphi to seek a solution.

  14. At the crossroads • Guess who meets at the crossroads of three roads? • Oedipus and King Laius • Oedipus running from the Oracle and Laius to it.

  15. Father and Son Meet • Only, neither knows that they are father and son!! They argue over who has the right of way. • Laius strikes Oedipus, and Oedipus gets angry. • They fight and Oedipus kills King Laius.

  16. First part fulfilled • the first part of the Oracle’s prophesy has now been fulfilled.

  17. Thebes • Oedipus continues on to Thebes and meets the Sphinx, which is still terrorizing the people. • The Sphinx asks Oedipus its riddle:

  18. “What goes on four legs in the morning, two legs at noon, and three legs in the evening?”

  19. His Reward • After correctly answering the riddle and ridding Thebes of the Sphinx, the people wish to reward Oedipus by making him their king (who has mysteriously disappeared). • The easiest way to accomplish this, is for him to marry the queen, Jocasta (his mom).

  20. Second part of prophesy fulfilled!

  21. Happily ever after???? • Oedipus and Jocasta marry and have four children. • About 18-20 years pass. • The play begins.

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