The LitCharts ThemeTracker is a mini-version of the entire LitChart. The ThemeTracker provides a quick timeline-style rundown of all the important plot points and allows you to track the themes throughout the work at a glance.
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- After learning that he has unknowingly killed his father and married his mother, Oedipus blinds himself and asks to be banished from his kingdom, Thebes.
- For years he wanders in poverty, accompanied by his daughter, Antigone.
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1-576
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- Oedipus, blind and hobbled, dressed in rags, arrives at the grove of the Furies with his daughter Antigone.
- A citizen of Colonus tells them they need to move. Oedipus asks the citizen to bring Theseus, the king of Athens. Oedipus says that this place was prophesied as the location of his life’s final chapter.
- Ismene, Oedipus’s other daughter, arrives on horseback with news that Oedipus’s two sons are fighting for control of Thebes. Polynices has been banished by Eteocles, but has raised an army to attack Thebes.
- Ismene says the leaders of Thebes want him to return, because the oracles say his presence would protect the city.
- Oedipus curses his sons, and asks the chorus to help defend him against Thebans who will try to take him away.
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577-1192
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- Oedipus reluctantly tells the chorus about his terrible deeds (killing his father and marrying his mother) but defends himself as having acted unwittingly.
- Theseus, king of Athens, arrives. Oedipus says if Theseus agrees to let him be buried at Colonus, and protects Oedipus against anyone who tries to take him away, then Oedipus’s presence will be a great service to Athens after he is dead.
- Theseus welcomes Oedipus to stay and guarantees that no one will take him away against his will.
- Creon, Oedipus’s brother-in-law, arrives. He says he has suffered thinking of Oedipus’s misfortune and now he’s come to persuade Oedipus to come home. Oedipus is furious. He knows he’s being used as part of the power struggle in Thebes. He tells Creon to leave.
- Creon’s guards kidnap Antigone and Ismene and take them away. Creon tries to take Oedipus by force, but the chorus cries out for help, and Theseus comes to the rescue.
- Theseus sends his army to retrieve Antigone and Ismene. Creon is defiant, but Theseus forces Creon to take him to where the girls are being held.
- Theseus promises to return the girls safely. Oedipus blesses him for this promise.
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1193-1645
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- The chorus imagines a battle taking place and prays for Athenian victory.
- Antigone and Ismene return safely, escorted by Theseus.
- Theseus says a man claiming to be related to Oedipus is waiting nearby to see him.
- Oedipus knows its his son Polynices but doesn’t want to see him. Theseus and Antigone convince Oedipus to see his son.
- Polynices asks for forgiveness for neglecting his father for so long. He asks for Oedipus’s support in defeating Thebes and overthrowing his brother, Eteocles.
- Oedipus curses Polynices and sends him away with the prophecy that Polynices will fail and will die while killing Eteocles.
- Before he leaves, Polynices asks his sisters to give him a proper burial. She promises to do just that.
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1646-2001
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- Thunder and lightning frighten the chorus and convince Oedipus that he is going to die soon. He sends for Theseus.
- When Theseus arrives, Oedipus says he will lead Theseus to his (Oedipus’s) final resting place. Theseus must never reveal the location of the place to anyone. If Theseus does this, Oedipus’s resting place near the city will bless and defend Athens in the future.
- At his time of death, Oedipus vanishes miraculously and supernaturally.
- Antigone and Ismene return, wailing and grieving. Theseus enters and tells the daughters not to cry. Antigone asks if she and her sister can be sent back to Thebes. Theseus promises to grant their wish.
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