OEDIPUS REX walks on two feet as an adult, and then uses a

Scene 1 walking stick in old age.

In the land of ancient times, a man named Sphinx: How did you know?! This can’t be!
Oedipus who lived in Corinth decided to run AGHHHHHH!!!!
away from the land because of the prophecy that Bested at last, the Sphinx then threw herself
he would kill his father King Polybus and marry from her high rock and died. The people who hid
his mother. While on his journey, he met a man at the back of the gate suddenly came out to see
with five servants in a crossroad. the hero that saved their city. Creon, who
Servant: Behold! The king is about to pass learned what happened rushed to Oedipus.
anyone who blocks the way shall be executed! Creon: Great hero! It is in our land’s deepest
Oedipus: Who are you to threaten me? Do you gratitude that you saved us from that beast that
own this land where travelers pass? brought terror to Thebes! What is your name?
The tension between the group and Oedipus Oedipus: My name is Oedipus, prince of Corinth.
went further. Reaching out for their swords, they Creon: Well then, you shall receive the reward
fought vigorously but Oedipus strength and for your bravery and intelligence. This land will
agility is no match for the king’s servants. All but be yours as well as the hand of my sister Jocasta!
one servant died in Oedipus’ hands including the Long live, King Oedipus!
king. Citizens: Long live, King Oedipus!
Scene 2 Scene 3
After wandering for a few more days, Oedipus Oedipus, King of Thebes, reigned as a benevolent
reached the gate of an unfamiliar land where a ruler while he had two sons and two daughters
beast with a head of a human, a body of a lion, with his wife Jocasta. After many years of being
and a pair of wings on its back called Sphinx is king a devastating plague suddenly broke out of
guarding the gate. the city for some time that the people of Thebes
suffered. Due to his sense of responsibility,
Sphinx: Decipher me or I’ll devour you. “What is Oedipus sends his brother-in-law, Creon, to seek
the creature that walks on four legs in the answers to their problem.
morning, two legs at noon and three in the
evening?” Oedipus: What a pity to see these people to
Oedipus: Hear me, O beast. The answer to that suffer. I once saved you from the claws of the
is man—who crawls on all fours as a baby, then Sphinx and so now I would like to know what
causes this famine. Go therefore to Delphi, Oedipus: Tiresias! Step out at once and tell me
brother, and seek the oracle’s advice. who the murderer is!
Creon: As you wish, my king. Tiresias: Spare me, O, King. Let me go home!
Scene 4 Oedipus: Spill out the words, if you know
And so, his brother-in-law went on his way to something!
inquire about the plague. Tiresias: It is good to shut my mouth than to
Scene 5 bring more trouble for you, my king!
Creon: Lord Apollo! I seek answers to the plague Oedipus: So you do know something! Spill it out
that causes Thebes to suffer! I beg you to speak! or else!
Oracle: Listen! The gods are angry because of the Tiresias: You’re threatening me? If you want
pollution that remains in your land! King Laius’ answers then I must say that you are the
killer must answer to his sins. Drove him out of pollution that causes this famine!
your land and your kingdom will be at peace Oedipus: How dare you! You speak nothing but
once more. foolishness! Is this a scheme between you and
Scene 6 my brother-in-law? To steal my crown?! Take
Creon told King Oedipus about the solution this man out of this land at once!
immediately when he returned. He also told Tiresias: I’m warning you! You will cause your
about the king’s death on his journey out of the own downfall.
kingdom. Oedipus then vows to find the Scene 7
murderer to free his citizens from suffering. The frustrated king went back to his throne and
thought about the murderer. Upon hearing the
Oedipus: Hear me, citizens of Thebes. The rumors that he schemes to steal the crown,
murderer of the former king resides on this land. Creon run to the king to clear his name.
Whoever among you knows the identity of the
murderer must tell everything and you’ll not be Creon: What are these rumors that I heard? You
punished. The murderer shall be only banished know that I am the one that put you on your
to save our land. However, if you remain silent, throne. Isn’t that enough to prove that I am not
beware of the consequences. a traitor?
Citizens: Tiresias! Oedipus: Then why is Tiresias pointing me as the
Citizen 1: Tiresias! Since the blind man can see murder?!
what Apollo sees, why not seek answers to him? (Queen Jocasta intervenes upon hearing the
argument)
Creon: Jocasta! Messenger: Sir, the kingdom of Corinth wants
Jocasta: Both of you! Aren’t you ashamed that you to be their king.
you two argue while the land suffers? Oedipus: Why? Did my father, Polybus, stepped
Creon: You know that I’m innocent and I have down on his throne?
nothing to do with this plague. Messenger: Oedipus. It is in my deepest sorrow
(Creon has left the chat.) to tell you that King Polybus already passed away.
Jocasta: Tell me, dear, what made you angry Oedipus: How did this happened?
towards Creon? Messenger: In his old age, his body is weak and
Oedipus: Your brother points me as the can no longer live.
murderer. He sent Tiresias to tell me about the Oedipus: Aha! Now I see that prophesies are
murder and the blind man points that it is I who nothing but fallacies. It was foretold that my
killed the King. father will die in my own hands but my father,
Jocasta: Tiresias is a madman. No man is truly Polybus, died while my hands are clean.
gifted in prophecy. You see, and oracle once Messenger: But sir, I believe that King Polybus is
prophesied that Laius will be killed by his own no kin to you. A wandering herdsman gave you
son. However, as you can see, he was killed by to me, a servant of Laius.
robbers on his journey. Jocasta: Dear! Don’t listen to this fool, he only
Oedipus: When did this happen? spew nonsense!
Jocasta: Before you rule Thebes, at the roads Oedipus: It matters to me to know where I came
which splits Delphi and Daulia. He was with five from. I must know if this is true. Bring this
servants but when the robbers ambushed them herdsman to my presence this instance!
only one was left alive and went on hiding. Scene 9
Oedipus: I wish to see this man to learn answers Oedipus’ servants sought out the herdsman and
at last. brought him to the king as soon as they found
Scene 8 him.
The following day, the king together with his wife Messenger: He is the one your highness. The
were strolling on his garden when a messenger man who gave you to me when you are still a
arrived to bring news. child.
Oedipus: Very well. Herdsman, do you know this
Messenger: lord Oedipus! man (points to the messenger)
Oedipus: Messenger, what news do you have for Herdsman: I’m afraid I don’t, my king.
us?
Messenger: Old man, don’t you remember when Oedipus went to see his wife breaking the locked
you give this man to me (points Oedipus) door. Upon seeing the hanged body, he cut the
Herdsman: Please! Hold your tongue, you fool! ropes and lamented over her dead wife.
Oedipus: Silence! Don’t find fault in him. If you
don’t say anything my punishers can make you Oedipus: Jocasta! Jocasta! What have you done?!
talk. (Cries) It is a shame for the sins that I committed!
Herdsman: Sire, I gave him the child but please I cannot bare to see you and my father even at
don’t ask further! the underworld!
Oedipus: Speak! Or I’ll cut your head off right Oedipus reached out for the long gold pins that
away! held his wife’s dress and plunged them at in his
Herdsman: Your wife should know! In fact, she eyes. (Oedipus shouts in pain).
knows the best because she gave you to me. After realizing what he had become he decided
Oedipus: S-She gave me to you? to be exiled as soon as possible.
Herdsman: I was about to kill the child because Scene 11
the prophecy told that the baby would kill his Oedipus: I cannot bare to stay here. I must go
father so Queen Jocasta handed you to me as a away from this land as soon as possible. Creon, I
child and ordered me to left you on a road to die treated you badly and ask for your forgiveness. I
on the hands of wild beasts. only ask for my children to stay here and don’t
Oedipus: It was me? It was me who killed King let them suffer
Laius, my real father?! And you (pointing at Creon: I shall see that it would happen. Come
Jocasta) you are my real mother?! How can this now and be on your way.
happen?! Curse this life! Oedipus: I changed my mind. I can’t leave my
Scene 10 two daughters. I shall bring them with me.
The whole palace was in shock and everyone Creon: No! You don’t have authority anymore.
went on their way. Jocasta who was in deep You should leave alone without them
shock and grief went on her room and locked Scene 12
herself. Oedipus was brought to the gates of Thebes
Jocasta: What a shame! - - - Dear, Laius! I ask for alone and in deep remorse for what happened.
your forgiveness! - - - I cannot bear to live Oedipus was now in exile on a long journey not
anymore! I shall join you in the underworld! knowing what’s ahead of him.
(Hangs herself)
The End.