Oedipus and Polynices

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 rich poetic texture of the play. Oedipus is twice importuned by the outside world, first by Creon, who is portrayed as so repellent a hypocrite that we are in no doubt that we are right to sympathize with Oedipus when he contemptuously rejects him. But Sophocles predisposes us to be much more sympathetic towards the next visitor, Polynices.