Oedipus the King

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Recommended: Summary of antigone by sophocles

Oedipus Setting: Before the palace of Oedipus, the most grand building in the center of town. All white with 4 marble columns, large steps lean down from the palace to the main road. Two large main doors lead into the palace. A large oak altar of masterful craftsmanship completes the ominous outside of the building. The main road leading directly away from the palace into town, have less impressive shops and homes on either side. About 100 citizens wait in the front of the palace on the road. A priest walks up to the doors and knocks. Oedipus opens the doors and stares bewilderedly at he crowed before him. The people look sick and gloomy. Their bodies sagging with despair and exhaustion. Rustling, Oedipus beacons his people to settle down. After a moment of silence, he asks why the people have massed before him. The priest steps forward and explains how death and pestilence have been running rampant through the city. Oedipus turns from the priest and announces to the town in an authoritative yet sympathetic tone, acknowledging the problem at hand. He explains that he is not ignorant to his surroundings and that he has sent his brother in-law Creon to Apollo’s oracle in Delphi to find an answer to their problem. Setting: A cramp corridor all gray with torches every several feet, lead into a majestic circular hall. The illumination flickering with the motion that the surro5unding torches emit. The statues of gods surround the walls of the room with a round stone altar in the center. A blue flame rises from a depression in the middle of the altar. Creon makes his way down the corridor, ducking his head so as not to hit it on the ceiling. Entering the room, Creon stands and glances... ... middle of paper ... ...center of the longest wall. Majestic oak dressers cover the remaining wall. A large throw down carpet that covers the entire room completes the décor. Hanging by a rope from a ceiling light is Jocasta. Dead. Oedipus bursts in and is horrified at the sight of Jocasta’s lifeless body hanging. In pure rage, Oedipus roars. He grabs a broach off Jocasta’s bosom, drops to his knees, and rapidity pierces his eyes. Falling to the ground he begins to cry blood. Creon rushes in. After a moment of assessing the situation he kneels beside Oedipus. Oedipus beckons Creon to take him away from the city and banish him. The two talk for a moment about what had just transgressed before Oedipus asks again to be exiled like the way he was originally supposed to die. (The two get smaller as the camera pans out overhead in a slow counterclockwise motion before fading out.)

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