Britannica AI Icon

Oedipus at Colonus

play by Sophocles

Quick Summary

Oedipus at Colonus is a play by Sophocles, produced posthumously in 401 BCE. It follows the blind, aged Oedipus years after the events of Oedipus Rex. Having wandered in exile, Oedipus arrives at a sacred grove near Athens. There, he is granted protection by King Theseus. The play explores Oedipus's final days as he confronts pleas from his son, Polyneices, and ultimately departs to a mysterious death, becoming a benevolent protector of the land that sheltered him. The play is noted for its melancholic beauty and its profound characterization of Oedipus.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
2 Britannica Sources
  1. Oedipus Rex
  2. Sophocles

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.