Sophocles
The Tragedies of Sophocles
Published by Good Press, 2021
EAN 4064066463229
Table of Contents
The Tragedies of Sophocles, translated into English prose
The Tragedies of Sophocles, translated into English prose
Footnote
In writing this translation as an adjunct to a commentary on Sophocles, the author had no intention of publishing it separately; but he has seen reason to think that, by doing so, he may meet the convenience of some readers. The brief introduction here prefixed to each play supplies τὰ ἔξω τῆς τραγῳδίας,—the events which are supposed to have occurred before the moment at which the drama begins.
Cambridge,
August 1904.
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Oedipus the King
For other English-language translations of this work, see Oedipus Rex.
Layout 2
OEDIPUS THE KING.
PERSONS OF THE DRAMA.
Oedipus, King of Thebes.
Priest of Zeus.
Creon, brother of Iocasta.
Teiresias, the blind prophet.
Iocasta.
First Messenger, a shepherd from Corinth.
A Shepherd, formerly in the service of Laius.
Second Messenger, from the house.
Chorus of Theban Elders.
Mute Persons.
A train of Suppliants (old men, youths, and children).
The children Antigone and Ismene, daughters of
Oedipus and Iocasta.
Scene: Before the Royal Palace at Thebes.
Laius, son of Labdacus, King of Thebes, had been told at Delphi by the oracle that a son would be born to him who should slay him. When his wife Iocasta bore a son, the babe was given by its mother to a Theban shepherd, to expose on Mount Cithaeron. This man, in pity, gave it to a Corinthian shepherd whom he met in the hills, who took it to Corinth; and there the child was brought up as the son of King Polybus and his wife Merope.
Years went by. Once at a feast the young Oedipus was taunted with not being really the son of Polybus. He went to ask the oracle at Delphi; and was told that it was his destiny to slay his father and to wed his mother. He resolved never to go near Corinth again, and took the road leading eastwards into Boeotia. On his way he met Laius, King of Thebes, at the 'Branching Roads' in Phocis, without knowing who he was. A quarrel occurred: Oedipus slew Laius, and three of his four attendants. The fourth, who escaped, was the Theban shepherd who in old days had received the infant from Iocasta.
Oedipus continued his journey, and reached Thebes at the time when it was being plagued by the Sphinx. He guessed the monster's riddle, and the Sphinx hurled herself from a rock. Oedipus was made King of Thebes, and married Iocasta. Soon afterwards the shepherd sought an audience of the Queen, and earnestly prayed that he might be sent to tend flocks in certain distant pastures. She readily granted the boon; it was a small thing for an old and faithful servant to ask.
About sixteen years have passed since then, and Iocasta has borne two sons and two daughters to Oedipus.
But now a great calamity has visited Thebes: there is a blight on the fruits of the earth: a pestilence is desolating the city. While offerings are made at the altars, a band of suppliants, old and young, is led by the Priest of Zeus into the presence of the wise King. He, if any mortal, can help them.
OEDIPUS THE KING.
Oedipus.
My children, latest-born to Cadmus who was of old, why are ye set before me thus with wreathed branches of suppliants, while the city reeks with incense, rings with prayers for health and cries of woe? I deemed it unmeet, my children, to hear these things at the mouth of others, and have come hither myself, I, Oedipus renowned of all.
Tell me, then, thou venerable man—since it is thy natural part to speak for 10these—in what mood are ye placed here, with what dread or what desire? Be sure that I would gladly give all aid; hard of heart were I, did I not pity such suppliants as these.
Priest of Zeus.
Nay, Oedipus, ruler of my land, thou seest of what years we are who beset thy altars,—some, nestlings