Oedipus and Polynices

Abstract

This paper is concerned with a problem that has long been one of the most controversial in the Oedipus Coloneus, namely Sophocles' precise intention in juxtaposing Oedipus' terrible cursing of Polynices and his mysterious and solemn passing. I cannot claim to offer a new interpretation of these scenes, but I believe that there is at least a little that is new to be learned from a close study of Sophocles' use of language, an approach which has not often been allowed to play an important part in critical work on the Oedipus Coloneus, despite the very rieh poetic texture of the play. Oedipus is twice importuned by the outside world, first by Creon, who is portrayed as so repellent a hypoerite that we are in no doubt that we are right to sympathize with Oedipus when he contemptuously rejeets him. But Sophocles predisposes us to be much more sympathetic towards the next visitor, Polynices. When Oedipus refuses to see him he is opposed by two characters whom the action of the play so far has led us to admire wholeheartedly, Theseus and Antigone. Theseus (vv. 1179-80) reminds Oedipus that he has a religious duty to grant the suppliant's prayer for an interview widi him, and Antigone at once follows with a long and strongly worded appeal based on the argument that a parent, however cruelly wronged, is not entitled to repay his child with the same ill-treatment (vv. 1181-1203). We a r e t n u s encouraged to look sympathetically at Polynices in his role of repentant son asking his father's forgiveness, but Oedipus does not merely fail to forgive; he sends his son away with appalling