Oedipus at Colonus

Oedipus and Antigone converse in a sacred grove in Colonus. Oedipus opens the dialogue, wondering where they are and if he will be welcomed. Antigone asserts that they are near Athens and, from the landscape, surmises that they are in a sacred space.

A stranger arrives, warning them that they are trespassing on “holy ground where no one dwells” (Line 39), the space dedicated to the “daughters of Earth and Darkness” (Line 40). Oedipus asks how to address these daughters in his prayers to them. The stranger replies that locals refer to them as the Eumenides, though he acknowledges that “other names are used” (Line 43).

The stranger reveals that they are in Colonus, founded by the equestrian Colonus, ruled by Theseus, son of Aegeus. Oedipus asks the stranger to send word to the king of the “profit” he offers him. After instructing Oedipus to remain where he is until he can confer with the locals, the Stranger departs.

Oedipus prays to the Eumenides, repeating an oracle from Apollo that he would find “this resting place” (Line 88), be welcomed, and that “it would mark [his] journey’s end” (Line 89).