Oedipus at Colonus

Acts

• Prologue

  The blind Oedipus, guided by Antigone, arrives at Colonus near Athens. He recognises the sacred grove where he was fated to die.

  117 lines
• Parodos

  The chorus discovers the stranger and recoils when they learn he is Oedipus the parricide. They demand he leave.

  138 lines
• First Episode

  Oedipus defends himself: his crimes were committed in ignorance. He offers Athens a blessing — his grave will protect the city.

  265 lines
• First Stasimon

  The chorus sings of the sanctity of Colonus — its groves, its nightingales, the gifts of the gods to this place.

  51 lines
• Second Episode

  Ismene arrives with news: Thebes wants Oedipus back because oracles say the land where he is buried will be invincible.

  124 lines
• Second Stasimon

  The famous Ode to Colonus: the olive trees of Athena, the horses of Poseidon, the narcissus groves. The most beautiful choral ode in Greek poetry.

  46 lines
• Theseus

  Theseus arrives and immediately grants Oedipus asylum. He recognises a fellow sufferer and acts from principle.

  343 lines
• Third Stasimon

  The chorus anticipates the coming confrontation with Thebes and prays for divine protection.

  49 lines
• Creon

  Creon arrives and seizes Ismene and Antigone as hostages, attempting to take Oedipus by force.

  119 lines
• Theseus Confronts Creon

  Theseus returns with soldiers and rescues the daughters. He denounces Creon for violating sanctuary.

  30 lines
• Fourth Stasimon

  The chorus imagines the cavalry rescue of Antigone and Ismene. Athena and Poseidon ride with the Athenian horsemen.

  203 lines
• Polyneices

  Polyneices begs his father's blessing for his attack on Thebes. Oedipus refuses and curses both sons: they will kill each other.

  40 lines
• Fifth Stasimon

  The chorus meditates on old age: not to be born is best, and the second-best is to die young.

  56 lines
• Sixth Episode

  Thunder sounds. Oedipus recognises the signal of his death. He summons Theseus.

  22 lines
• Sixth Stasimon

  The chorus prays that Oedipus's passage to the underworld be gentle.

  92 lines
• The Messenger

  A messenger describes Oedipus's last moments: he walked unaided into the grove, washed, said farewell, and then — Theseus alone witnessed the end.

  86 lines
• Exodos

  Antigone and Ismene weep. Theseus honours his promise to keep the secret. The burial site will protect Athens forever.

  28 lines