Oedipus Rex and Antigone Overview

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary, themes, and character relationships from the plays Oedipus Rex and Antigone.

Oedipus Rex

A tragedy by Sophocles about the King of Thebes who unknowingly kills his father and marries his mother.

Thebes

The ancient city suffering from a plague in Oedipus Rex.

Oracle at Delphi

A priestess through whom the god Apollo speaks, providing prophecies.

Tiresias

The blind prophet who reveals to Oedipus that he is Laius's murderer.

Jocasta

Oedipus's wife and mother, who realizes the truth of their relationship.

Creon

Jocasta's brother and Oedipus's brother-in-law, later becomes king of Thebes.

Blindness vs. Sight

A theme in Oedipus Rex, contrasting physical blindness with insight into truth.

Fate vs. Free Will

A central theme in Oedipus Rex, where Oedipus tries to escape his fate.

Antigone

The daughter of Oedipus who defies Creon's order regarding her brother's burial.

Polyneices

Oedipus's son who is denied a proper burial by Creon.

Eteocles

Oedipus's son who is honored with a burial by Creon.

Civil War

The conflict between Oedipus's sons, Eteocles and Polyneices, over the throne of Thebes.

Creon's Decree

The order issued by Creon forbidding the burial of Polyneices.

Divine Law

A moral code that Antigone believes takes precedence over human law.

Antigone's Arrest

The event where Antigone is caught and confesses to burying her brother.

Haemon

Creon's son and Antigone's fiancé who pleads for her.

Tiresias’ Warning

A prophecy warning Creon of disaster if he does not free Antigone.

Antigone's Defiance

Antigone’s act of burying her brother against Creon’s orders.

Tragic Outcome

The resulting deaths of Antigone, Haemon, and Eurydice after the events in Antigone.

Oedipus's Downfall

The consequence of Oedipus’s search for truth leading to his blindness and exile.

Chorus of Theban Elders

Represents the citizens of Thebes reacting to the unfolding tragedy.

Prophecy

A prediction of the future; central to the fate of Oedipus and his family.

Hubris

Excessive pride or self-confidence which contributes to Oedipus's tragic downfall.

Exile

Forced removal from one’s home, as faced by Oedipus after his revelations.

Corinth

The city where Oedipus was raised, adopted by King Polybus and Queen Merope.

The Furies

Chthonic deities of vengeance in Greek mythology who protect the sanctity of burials.

Theseus

The noble king of Athens who offers protection to Oedipus.

Burial Rights

The rituals associated with disposing of the dead, which are central to Antigone's conflict.

Laius

The former king of Thebes and biological father of Oedipus, killed by him.

Merope

Oedipus's adoptive mother, queen of Corinth.

Ismene

Oedipus's daughter and sister to Antigone.

The Plague

A manifestation of the moral corruption in Thebes, prompting Oedipus's quest.

Self-Discovery

Oedipus’s journey leads him to uncover his true identity and tragic fate.

Prophetic Insight

The unique ability of Tiresias, despite his blindness, to perceive the truth.

Oedipus's Fate

The fulfillment of a tragic prophecy that he will kill his father and marry his mother.

Conflict

The internal struggles Oedipus faces between his desire for truth and his ignorance.

Antigone's Tragedy

A play that depicts the consequences of loyalty to familial and divine duty.

Eurydice

Creon’s wife who dies upon learning of her son Haemon's death.

Blindness

A metaphor for ignorance and lack of insight that affects Oedipus until it's too late.

Oedipus's Blindness

The literal and figurative blindness of Oedipus to the truth of his circumstances.

Suffering

The universal theme portrayed through Oedipus and his family’s tragic fate.

Redemption

The idea of seeking forgiveness, seen in Oedipus’s final request for exile.

Despair

The emotional state of characters like Haemon and Eurydice in the aftermath of tragedy.

Burden of Knowledge

The painful truth Oedipus learns about his identity and actions.

Dramatic Irony

The audience’s awareness of Oedipus’s true identity before he does.

Cursed Bloodline

The lineage of Oedipus, marked by tragic prophecies and disastrous outcomes.

Hubris and Tragedy

The relationship between the protagonist's excessive pride and their eventual downfall.

Civil Unrest

The state of discord in Thebes following the events of Oedipus Rex.

Legacy of Oedipus

The impact of Oedipus's actions on the future fate of his descendants.

Moral Dilemma

The ethical conflicts faced by characters in both Oedipus Rex and Antigone.

Themes of Antigone

The exploration of fate, family loyalty, and the conflict between man and divine law.

Death's Finality

The irreversible nature of death which carries significant consequences in the plays.

Theban Tragedy

The overarching narrative of tragedy that encompasses Oedipus's and Antigone's stories.

Seer

A person who claims to foretell events; Tiresias is an example.

Causality

The relationship between cause and effect, significant in Oedipus's downfall.

Desolate City

Describes the state of Thebes under the plague.

Oedipus’s Self-Inflicted Punishment

His blinding and exile as a means to cope with his horrific realizations.

Antigone's Honor

Her determination to honor the dead, challenging societal norms and laws.

Irrevocable Decrees

The absolute orders given by Creon that lead to tragic outcomes.

Redemptive Finality

The idea that Oedipus’s final acts bring closure to his tragic story.

Consequences of Knowledge

The theme that understanding the truth can lead to devastating outcomes.

Role of the Gods

Divine intervention depicted in both plays, highlighting fate's role in human affairs.