Book 12 - Oedipus at Colonus

Oedipus at Colonus by Sophocles takes place chronologically between his Oedipus the King and Antigone. The play opens with an old and weary Oedipus led by his faithful daughter Antigone seeking a place to rest from his weary exile. He finds himself at a sacred grove near Colonus and the city of Athens. Knowing the reverence of the Athenian people for the ways of the gods, Oedipus pleads to them for compassion. A message is promptly sent to King Theseus that the infamous Oedipus is nearby. Theseus grants Oedipus' request and promises his protection to both Oedipus and his two daughters. In return Oedipus offers the king the only gift that the gods have given him to bestow. A promise that the place of his death will be a protection for Athens, the city who showed him compassion, when at a future time they are under attack from Thebes. At the same time Oedipus finds himself wanted by multiple parties. His sons are warring over the throne of Thebes and have learned that the side supported by Oedipus will be the winner. Oedipus scorns the entreaties of Creon, who then tries to kidnap Oedipus' daughters to force him back to Thebes, but Theseus intervenes and returns the girls safely to their father. Then his older son appears also pleading for his aid; but again Oedipus reminds him of his lack of mercy and compassion and his abandonment of his father in time of need. He warns him that attacking Thebes will result not only in his death but also the death of his brother. The play ends with Oedipus and Theseus going off to the place of his death alone, the grief of his daughters, and their fateful decision to return to Thebes to try to stop the coming bloodshed.



This was actually my first time reading this particular play, and I found it interesting. It is in some ways an ancient Greek version of "Do to others as you would have them do to you". Misfortune can come to anyone at any time, so it is best to show mercy to the less fortunate. Those who have compassion on Oedipus in his misfortune, his daughters and the city of Athens, receive the blessing of his love and his protection respectively. Those who heaped more troubles on him received his scorn and a promise of coming vengeance from the gods for their lack of mercy. I would recommend it for ages 14 and up.