Oedipus Summary

The background information tells how Oedipus arrives in Thebes to learn that King Laius has just been murdered. He answers the riddle of the Sphinx, destroys the Sphinx and marries Jocasta, the widowed queen. Years later, Thebes is plagued by pestilence, and in trying to free the city of this plague, Oedipus learns about his past and his fate.

In the first act, the play begins with Oedipus worrying about the pestilence plaguing his city. More people have died than are left living. Oedipus mentions the reason that he leaves Corinth and flees to Thebes years previously. He hears a prophecy from one of Apollo's priests that he will kill his father and marry his mother. His worry about fulfilling the prophecy causes Oedipus to flee Corinth, King Polybus' kingdom. The plague in Thebes bothers Oedipus so much that he considers returning to...