1 Sophocles' Oedipus Tyrannus Introduced and Translated by ...

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MESSENGER Even a small gust blows an old body to its resting place. OEDIPUS So he died from sickness, the poor man. MESSENGER And the many years he’d put in. OEDIPUS Why should one look to Delphi, and those screeching birds that predicted I was going to kill my father He’s dead and buried. I’m here, and I touched no weapon, unless he died from missing me. 970 But Polybus sleeps in Hades, and with him went the worthless oracles. JOCASTA Haven’t I been telling you so for a long time now Yes. But I was afraid. Don’t worry any longer. OEDIPUS JOCASTA OEDIPUS But shouldn’t I be afraid of sleeping with my mother JOCASTA Why should any man fear what may happen when he can do nothing about it There’s no certain way to predict the future, so it’s best to take life easy. And don’t be afraid of marrying your mother! 980 Many a man has lain with his mother in his dreams. He lives best who regards all prophecies and dreams as nonsense. 46
OEDIPUS That would all be fine, if my mother weren’t living. But, even though what you said is correct, as long as she lives, I’ll be afraid. You must be relieved at least to hear your father died a natural death. Yes. But I’m afraid while she is still alive. Of whom are you afraid MESSENGER OEDIPUS MESSENGER OEDIPUS Merope, old man, who lived with Polybus. 990 Why are you afraid of her MESSENGER OEDIPUS There was a terrible prophecy. MESSENGER Can you tell me, or is that forbidden OEDIPUS No. Apollo said that I would have intercourse with my mother and shed my father’s blood with my own hands. That is why I lived far away from Corinth. Things worked out well for me, but it is sweetest of all to look into the eyes of our parents. MESSENGER Was that the fear that drove you out of our city 1000 47
Page 1 and 2: Sophocles’ Oedipus Tyrannus Intro
Page 3 and 4: Sophocles was born at Colonus near
Page 5 and 6: his own destruction. There is the s
Page 7 and 8: First Performance: 6 th at Penn The
Page 9 and 10: A crowd led by Zeus’ PRIEST gathe
Page 11 and 12: PRIEST The news must be good; other
Page 13 and 14: CREON All those with the king died,
Page 15 and 16: And protect me from all harm. Just
Page 17 and 18: I forbid any citizen of this land o
Page 19 and 20: A man who’s not afraid to commit
Page 21 and 22: OEDIPUS But shouldn’t you tell me
Page 23 and 24: OEDIPUS You live in perpetual night
Page 25 and 26: TIRESIAS Nonsense Your parents thou
Page 27 and 28: I have nothing to say, Either to ag
Page 29 and 30: OEDIPUS It’s not wise to think yo
Page 31 and 32: OEDIPUS I don’t deny it. CREON Yo
Page 33 and 34: OEDIPUS All the same, I have to rul
Page 35 and 36: Anger hurts the angry man most of a
Page 37 and 38: death at his son’s hands. So much
Page 39 and 40: OEDIPUS Is he here now In the palac
Page 41 and 42: and killing my father Polybus, who
Page 43 and 44: Or touches what must not be touched
Page 45: JOCASTA What are you saying Oedipus
Page 49 and 50: Yes. That’s what frightens me. ME
Page 51 and 52: That’s how you got your name, Oed
Page 53 and 54: Please. Listen to me. I beg you. Do
Page 55 and 56: CHORUS Yes. I recognize the man. Al
Page 57 and 58: OEDIPUS Don’t hit him! He doesn
Page 59 and 60: OEDIPUS And I, to hear it. But it m
Page 61 and 62: Time, the all-seeing, Has found you
Page 63 and 64: Terrible horror for both husband an
Page 65 and 66: OEDIPUS What is left for me to see,
Page 67 and 68: yes, you engendered the most shamef
Page 69 and 70: from sickness or anything else: I w
Page 71 and 72: CREON Tell me. I’ll listen. OEDIP
Page 73 and 74: GLOSSARY Abae (A, as in add, -bee),

1 Sophocles' Oedipus Tyrannus Introduced and Translated by ...

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