Oedipus...Scene+4

=// **Fourth Scene** //=


 * Why is the Herdsman reluctant to answer the questions of Oedipus and the Messenger? **

He is also reluctant to answer because he is afraid that Oedipus does not know the truth of his background. The shepherd knows that the baby was from Laios and that the prophecy he would grow up to kill his father. However, by keeping this knowledge from Oedipus it could lead to the prophecy coming true or it could save him and the Shepherd is stuck between which path he will send Oedipus on.

-->(line 43) "Yet if I speak the truth I am worse than dead".

The above quote signifies how he is unaware of the fate that will come of him on behalf of Oedipus if he tells the truth; he is an innocent witness merely caught in the middle of this conflict.

I think that the herdsman is reluctant to answer questions and share his knowledge with Oedipus because he knows that the baby was from Laios and that he did in fact kill his father. He says in the play, on line 43 as said above the Shepherd says "Yet if i speak the truth I am worse than dead." Contrary to above i think that he knows exactly who Oedipus is and thinks that if Oedipus finds out what the Shepherd knows, he will want to banish him or kill him to keep the murder quiet.

The Herdsman is reluctant to answer the questions of Oedipus and the Messenger because he is afraid. The Herdsman tells Oedipus that he gave the boy to Laios. **What food does the Herdsman make?**

The revelation that the Herdsman makes is that Jocasta told Laius to destroy the baby because of the prophecy that the baby will kill his father to sleep with his mother.

-->(line 63-67) "I pitied the baby, my king, and thought that this man would take him far away to his own country. He saved him- but for what a fate! For if you are what this man says you are, no man living is more wretched than Oedipus".

Also, the idea that Jocasta told Laius to kill the baby because of the prophocies is shown on lines 60-63 "But in dread of prophocies... Tell me. It was said that the boy would kill his own father. Then why did you give him over to this old man? I pitied the baby, my king."

He dosen't want Oedipus to know the truth of Oedipus being the son of Laicus.

"They said it was Laios" child; but it is your wife who can tell you about that" (57-58). =// **Fourth (Chorus)** //=

**What general comment on human life does the Chorus towards Oedipus?** ___ The general comment that the chorus makes is that even Oedipus being this great man was brought low by destiny. Also that Death can bring peace.

The chorus says that Oedipus has been punished in both body and soul. They also say that death would have been better than blindness.

-->(line 18-22) "You overcame the stranger (aka the Sphinx), the virgin with her hooking lion claws, and though death sang, stood like a tower to make pale Thebes take heart. Fortress against our oun sorrow!"

The chorus is stating that his days are ending. **What horrible fact with regard to Oedipus’ marriage does the Chorus point out?** That Oedipus has married his mother.

The fact that Oedipus unknowingly murdered his father, King Laios, and that Jocasta is silent to the crime Oedipus has committed. Because Jocasta witnessed all the happenings that led to Oedipus' fate and had not spoken out was a horrible fact because their marriage was based on lies.

The chorus points out that Oedipus' daughters are also his sisters.

Not only did he marry his mother, he also had children with her.

Oedipus unknowingly murdered his real father, and then married his mother.

It says that Oedipus' marrage will fall apart.

In the begining Oedipus knows he has murdered someone but he had no knowledge that the man he killed was really his father. he also didnt know that the woman he married was his mother these are the facts thats the chorus point out

His marriage will fall apart.

-->(line 35-39) "As to the father, to the fathering son. All understood too late. How could that queen whom Laios won, the garden that he harrowed at hid height, be silent when that act was done?"

I think that the major aspect of the plot thus far that characters and readers have overlooked that the chorus is pointing out is that at this point, Jocasta is starting to piece together what has actually happened and may realize that Oedipus is her son, yet she has decided to remain silent on the issue and direct Oedipus away from trying to uncover the murderer.