Monologue

Oedipus Monologue from Oedipus at Colonus

From Oedipus at Colonus by Sophocles

male · anguished · 1:08 min

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Teiresias, seer who comprehendest all, Lore of the wise and hidden mysteries, High things of heaven and low things of the earth, Thou knowest, though thy blinded eyes see naught, What plague infects our city; and we turn To thee, O seer, our one defense and shield. The purport of the answer that the God Returned to us who sought his oracle, The messengers have doubtless told thee—how One course alone could rid us of the pest, To find the murderers of Laius, And slay them or expel them from the land. Therefore begrudging neither augury Nor other divination that is thine, O save thyself, thy country, and thy king, Save all from this defilement of blood shed. On thee we rest. This is man’s highest end, To others’ service all his powers to lend.

About this piece

Oedipus, in a moment of desperation, seeks the wisdom of Teiresias to uncover the truth behind the plague afflicting his city, reflecting on the weight of his past actions and the need for redemption.

50s · despair · fate · redemption · power · death

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