The Oedipus Plays (AmazonClassics Edition) characters

Appears from the start

The king of Thebes, celebrated for once saving the city through intelligence and now determined to end a plague by finding the murderer of the former king, Laius. Oedipus is direct, energetic, and confident that persistent investigation will expose the truth.

Appears from the start

The queen of Thebes, widow of Laius and wife of Oedipus. She tries to steady Oedipus as his inquiry becomes personal and treats prophecies with skepticism because she believes an old oracle concerning Laius was never fulfilled.

Appears from the start

Jocasta's brother and a trusted Theban noble. He returns from Apollo's oracle with instructions for lifting the plague and becomes a target of Oedipus's suspicion when the investigation turns against the king.

Appears from the start

A blind prophet of Apollo summoned to identify Laius's killer. He initially refuses to speak, convinced that the knowledge will only bring pain, but Oedipus's accusations provoke him into declaring that the king himself is the source of Thebes's pollution.

Appears from the start

A Corinthian who arrives with news concerning King Polybus. His attempt to reassure Oedipus about his parentage instead supplies a crucial piece of the history that Oedipus is trying to uncover.

Appears from the start

An elderly former servant of Laius who survived the king's fatal journey. He has long avoided Thebes and is brought back because his testimony can settle what happened to Laius and what became of a child entrusted to him years earlier.

First appears in chapter 2

Oedipus's devoted daughter, who has accompanied her blind, exiled father through years of wandering. At Colonus she serves as his guide and advocate while also worrying about the renewed conflict between her brothers in Thebes.

First appears in chapter 2

Oedipus's other daughter, who has remained informed about events in Thebes. She seeks out her father at Colonus to warn him that an oracle has made control of his person and burial place politically important.

First appears in chapter 2

The king of Athens, respected for justice and hospitality. He listens to Oedipus without contempt for the old man's history and promises protection when Theban interests threaten to remove the exile from Colonus by force.

First appears in chapter 2

The elder son of Oedipus, driven from Thebes by his brother Eteocles and preparing an allied army to recover the city. He comes to Colonus seeking his father's blessing, regarding the oracle about Oedipus as a possible advantage in the coming war.

First appears in chapter 3

Creon's son and Antigone's intended husband. He approaches his father respectfully after Antigone is condemned, but argues that a ruler should heed the judgment of the city and remain capable of changing course.

First appears in chapter 3

Creon's wife and Haemon's mother. She enters late in the crisis to hear a messenger's account of what has happened to her son.

First appears in chapter 3

A nervous soldier assigned to watch the unburied body of Polynices. He reports that someone has performed burial rites despite Creon's decree and later returns with the person caught repeating the act.