Watch the exchange between self-blinded Oedipus and Creon in Sophocles' Greek tragedy Oedipus Rex
In Sophocles' Greek tragedy Oedipus the King, the blind Oedipus asks Creon to banish him from Thebes.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
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Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Oedipus, demonstrating an excess of presumption (or hubris) in his confidence that he has escaped the prophecy of Apollo's oracle, sees that he has been mistaken and that—just as foretold—he has married his mother and killed his father. He therefore blinds himself. In this excerpt from a 1959 production by Encyclopædia Britannica Educational Corporation of Sophocles' play Oedipus Rex, the blind Oedipus is conferring with the leader of the chorus.
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Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.In this excerpt from Sophocles' tragedy Oedipus the King, learn about the function of the chorus, which, commenting here on actions and characters from the standpoint of traditional wisdom, decries human disregard of the gods, particularly of the oracles of Apollo concerning Oedipus. This video is an excerpt from a 1969 film produced by Encyclopædia Britannica Educational Corporation.
Transcript
CREON: I have not come to mock you, Oedipus, nor to reproach you for the wrongs you have done. If you have no respect for the feelings of these people, at least show reverence for the sunlight which nurtures its own men. Get him into the palace; only his family should see this family shame. This public spectacle is indecent.
OEDIPUS: In god's name, since you have exceeded my hopes in coming so generous a spirit to one so low, do something for me. I ask it in your own interest, not mine.
CREON: What is it that you are anxious to have me do?
OEDIPUS: Banish me from this country to a place where no man can see or speak to me.
CREON: You can be sure I would have already done so. But, first, I wanted to ask the god Apollo what should be done.
OEDIPUS: His command was clear, every word of it. Death for the unholy man, the killer of his father.
CREON: That is what the oracle said. But in our situation, it is better to inquire what should be done.
OEDIPUS: Will you consult Apollo about anyone as miserable as I am?
CREON: Yes. And this time I take it you would believe what the god says.
OEDIPUS: Yes. I command you. I beg you: the woman in the palace, see to her burial. She is your sister. You are the man to do this. As for me, do not condemn this city of my fathers to shelter me within its walls. Let me live on Mount Cithaeron, forever linked with my name, the mountain which my mother and father chose as my burial place. Let me die there, where they tried to kill me. Yet, I know this--no disease, nothing will ever destroy me. I was saved for some strange and dreadful end. Let my destiny go where it will. As for the children, do not concern yourself about the boys, Creon. They are men and will always find a way to live wherever they may be. But the girls, my two helpless girls, take care of them for me.
CREON: Now go inside the house.
OEDIPUS: I must obey but on one condition.
CREON: Yes, I am listening.
OEDIPUS: You must send me into exile, away from Thebes.
CREON: What you ask is a gift that only Apollo can grant. Don't try to be master in everything. What you once won and held, did not stay with you all your life.
OEDIPUS: In god's name, since you have exceeded my hopes in coming so generous a spirit to one so low, do something for me. I ask it in your own interest, not mine.
CREON: What is it that you are anxious to have me do?
OEDIPUS: Banish me from this country to a place where no man can see or speak to me.
CREON: You can be sure I would have already done so. But, first, I wanted to ask the god Apollo what should be done.
OEDIPUS: His command was clear, every word of it. Death for the unholy man, the killer of his father.
CREON: That is what the oracle said. But in our situation, it is better to inquire what should be done.
OEDIPUS: Will you consult Apollo about anyone as miserable as I am?
CREON: Yes. And this time I take it you would believe what the god says.
OEDIPUS: Yes. I command you. I beg you: the woman in the palace, see to her burial. She is your sister. You are the man to do this. As for me, do not condemn this city of my fathers to shelter me within its walls. Let me live on Mount Cithaeron, forever linked with my name, the mountain which my mother and father chose as my burial place. Let me die there, where they tried to kill me. Yet, I know this--no disease, nothing will ever destroy me. I was saved for some strange and dreadful end. Let my destiny go where it will. As for the children, do not concern yourself about the boys, Creon. They are men and will always find a way to live wherever they may be. But the girls, my two helpless girls, take care of them for me.
CREON: Now go inside the house.
OEDIPUS: I must obey but on one condition.
CREON: Yes, I am listening.
OEDIPUS: You must send me into exile, away from Thebes.
CREON: What you ask is a gift that only Apollo can grant. Don't try to be master in everything. What you once won and held, did not stay with you all your life.