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144
Play • Fiction
Colonus, Greece • Antiquity
401
Adult
18+ years
Oedipus at Colonus by Sophocles depicts the end of Oedipus's life after his banishment, as he seeks refuge in Colonus with his daughter Antigone. He reveals Apollo's prophecy that he will die in a land sacred to the Furies and bring blessings to his final resting place. As various characters, including his other daughter Ismene and King Theseus of Athens, interact with him, Oedipus faces political manipulation, familial strife, and ultimately, his death in a divine manner. Themes include patricide, incest, and death.
Contemplative
Mysterious
Melancholic
Emotional
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A reader who enjoys Sophocles' Oedipus at Colonus is likely interested in Greek tragedy, moral dilemmas, and themes of fate and redemption. Fans of Homeric epics like The Iliad or Aeschylus' Oresteia will appreciate the dramatic narrative and profound philosophical questions raised.
15,131 ratings
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Mixed feelings
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Antigone
Oedipus’s devoted daughter and sister who accompanies him during his exile, participates in rituals, and displays strong familial loyalty.
Ismene
Antigone's sister, who also comes to Athens with news of a prophecy and assists in fulfilling her family and religious duties.
Theseus
The king of Athens who welcomes Oedipus, defends him from adversaries, and is entrusted with important knowledge by Oedipus.
Chorus and Chorus Leader
Made up of the elders of the precinct, they guide and advise Oedipus, reflecting communal and divine aspects of Greek society.
Creon
Jocasta’s brother who comes to Athens with the intention of returning Oedipus to Thebes using persuasive and forceful tactics.
Polyneices
Oedipus’s elder son, who seeks his father’s approval for a campaign against Thebes and faces familial conflict.
Attendant
A character who narrates the final moments of Oedipus, facilitating the portrayal of events that occur offstage.
144
Play • Fiction
Colonus, Greece • Antiquity
401
Adult
18+ years
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