Analysis Of Sophocles 'Oedipus The King'

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Oedipus Rex

MLA- Sophocles. Oedipus the King. New York: Pocket Books, 2005

1. Oedipus, page 5-
"The city is filled with the smoke of burning incense, with hymns to the healing god, with laments for the dead."
Commentary-
Oedipus wants to know why the citizens of Thebes are praying to the gods for health and healing. This connects to setting because it explains how Thebes looks at the moment. It also connects to mood because it shows how the citizens are feeling towards the sickness.

2. Oedipus, page 16-
"But now I am in command. I hold the office [Laius] once held the wife who was once his is now mine, the mother of my children."
Commentary-
Oedipus is explaining that he is now the king of Thebes and how he overtook Laius, the previous king. This connects to character because it shows Oedipus's occupation and his current wife. It also connects to theme because it shows that Oedipus is a king of an ancient city and that his wife used to be the wife of Laius. …show more content…

Chorus Leader, page 17-
"I did not kill Laius and I am not in a position to say who did. This search to find the murderer should have been undertaken by Apollo who sent the message which began it."
Commentary-
The chorus leader is stating his opinion of how he thinks Apollo should search for the murderer of Laius. This connects to plot because it explains the mission to find the murderer of Laius. This also connects to tone because it shows how some of the citizens feel about the search to find out more about Laius's death.

4. Oedipus, page 18-
"Tiresias, you who understand all things- those which can be taught and those which may not be mentioned, things in the heavens and things which walk the

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