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There's no indication of age in 'Oedipus Rex' other than the description of Teiresias the blind prophet as elderly and of Theban King Laius as having silver streaked hair. But guesstimates may be offered. For example,Teiresias may have been in his 60s or 70s. Theban Queen Jocasta is from a different generation than her first husband, Theban King Laius. She therefore may be as young as 12-15 years old when she has her first child. Her son and second husband, Theban King Oedipus, may be as young as 18 when he runs away from Corinth, kills his father, defeats the Sphinx, and marries his own mother. Creon may be about the same age as his brother-in-law and nephew, Oedipus.

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Q: How old are the main characters in 'Oedipus Rex'?
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Who is Oedipus' real mother in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Jocasta is Oedipus' real mother in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Queen Jocasta is King Oedipus' real biological mother. But she last sees him when he is three days old. She thinks that he is dead, and Oedipus believes his mother to be someone else.


How and why does Oedipus kill the old man in 'Oedipus Rex'?

It is in self-defense with his staff that Oedipus kills the old man in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Oedipus has the right-of-way at the Delphi-Daulis crossroads in the land of Phocis. But that right is not respected by a stranger who is accompanied by a five-member escort party. The stranger's herald pushes Oedipus, and the stranger then hits Oedipus on top of the head with a double whip, which really hurts.


What happens to Jocasta and Oedipus in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Suicide and death from old age are what happened respectively to Theban Queen Jocasta and Theban King Oedipus in "Oedipus Rex."Specifically, Jocasta hangs herself once it is crystal clear to her that she is married to her own son. Oedipus blinds himself when he figures the distressing situation out. He loses his job, home, and friends when he is forced into exile. But ultimately, he dies from old age according to the play "Oedipus at Colonus."


How old is Oedipus when he is banished in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Somewhere in his forties (40s) may be Oedipus' age when he is banished in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Oedipus is old enough to marry and become king when he moves to Thebes. By the time of the action of the play, he has two sons just about ready to succeed him. So Oedipus is probably in his twenties when he gets married and his sons are probably heading towards or in their twenties when Oedipus loses his wife, his sight, his reputation, his job and his home.


When the chorus tell Oedipus of old rumours that suggest Laius was not killed by robbers what effect does this have in terms of the plot of Oedipus Rex?

It gives Oedipus information that will later cause him to suspect that he is Laius's murder

Related questions

Who is Oedipus' real mother in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Jocasta is Oedipus' real mother in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Queen Jocasta is King Oedipus' real biological mother. But she last sees him when he is three days old. She thinks that he is dead, and Oedipus believes his mother to be someone else.


How and why does Oedipus kill the old man in 'Oedipus Rex'?

It is in self-defense with his staff that Oedipus kills the old man in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Oedipus has the right-of-way at the Delphi-Daulis crossroads in the land of Phocis. But that right is not respected by a stranger who is accompanied by a five-member escort party. The stranger's herald pushes Oedipus, and the stranger then hits Oedipus on top of the head with a double whip, which really hurts.


What happens to Jocasta and Oedipus in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Suicide and death from old age are what happened respectively to Theban Queen Jocasta and Theban King Oedipus in "Oedipus Rex."Specifically, Jocasta hangs herself once it is crystal clear to her that she is married to her own son. Oedipus blinds himself when he figures the distressing situation out. He loses his job, home, and friends when he is forced into exile. But ultimately, he dies from old age according to the play "Oedipus at Colonus."


What are ten similarities between the plays 'Antigone' and 'Oedipus Rex'?

Following is a list of ten (10) similarities between the plays "Antigone" and "Oedipus Rex" by ancient Greek playwright Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.):1. The area just outside the main entrance to the royal palace of Thebes is the main setting.2. The chorus indicates that Theban King Oedipus and his daughter/half-sister Theban Princess Antigone may be victimsof a divine curse on the House of Theban King Labadacus, from whom they descend.3. The critical deeds of Oedipus and then of Antigone are motivated by passion and defended without recognition or respect for an opposing viewpoint.4. The entire environment of Thebes is polluted by disrespect to the dead - the death of Theban King Laius in "Oedipus Rex" and the non-burial of Theban Prince Polyneices - as crimes against the gods and by omission of cleansing rituals.5. The explanation for and the resolution to the environmental pollution are given by the blind prophet Teiresias.6. The fates of Oedipus as the victor over the Sphinx and of Antigone as the respecter of the old ways and the burier of her dishonored brother are consolidated by the doing of the above-mentioned great, heroic deeds: No good deed goes unpunished.7. The motives of Theban King Creon are questioned by Oedipus as his brother-in-law and co-ruler and by Antigone as his niece and intended daughter-in-law;8. The Queen of Thebes, Jocasta, is the mother of Oedipus, who becomes her second husband, and of Antigone, who thereby ends up as Oedipus' daughter and half-sister.9. The seer Teiresias is insulted and threatened - with unenviable consequences - by the reigning sovereign, with the king being Oedipus in "Oedipus Rex" and Creon in "Antigone."10. The tragedies end with the suicide of Jocasta and Antigone as the respectively main female characters in "Oedipus Rex" and "Antigone" and with the personal and professional shaming of Oedipus and Creon as the respectively main male characters in "Oedipus Rex" and "Antigone."


How old is Oedipus when he is banished in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Somewhere in his forties (40s) may be Oedipus' age when he is banished in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Oedipus is old enough to marry and become king when he moves to Thebes. By the time of the action of the play, he has two sons just about ready to succeed him. So Oedipus is probably in his twenties when he gets married and his sons are probably heading towards or in their twenties when Oedipus loses his wife, his sight, his reputation, his job and his home.


When the chorus tell Oedipus of old rumours that suggest Laius was not killed by robbers what effect does this have in terms of the plot of Oedipus Rex?

It gives Oedipus information that will later cause him to suspect that he is Laius's murder


What old injury helps to establish Oedipus' true identity in 'Oedipus Rex'?

The maiming, scarring and swelling of his feet is the old injury that helps to establish Oedipus' true identity in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, a rod is run through the ankles of both feet of the three-day-old infant Oedipus. It is removed by a Theban shepherd before Oedipus is given to a Corinthian shepherd who tends his flocks outside Thebes. But the damage is done in terms of the permanent effects on Oedipus' gait and the scarred, swollen appearance of his feet.


Why does Oedipus kill an old man at the crossroads in 'Oedipus Rex'?

It is in self-defense that Oedipus kills an old man in the crossroads in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Oedipus is coming from Delphi. An older version of himself is accompanied by a five-member escort party that is heading towards Delphi. Oedipus has the right-of-way, which nevertheless is disrespected by the elderly man. The elderly man's servant pushes Oedipus, the old man hits him on the head with a double whip, and it really hurts. Oedipus responds in self-defense, which quickly escalates to deadly force against the old man and four of his five companions.


How old are Oedipus' daughters in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Elementary school aged is the age of Oedipus' daughters in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, disgraced Theban King Oedipus is worried about what will happen to his young daughters, the sister Princesses Antigone and Ismene. His daughters make no onstage comments. Oedipus needs to explain things, which he does in the way of speaking to children of elementary school age.


What is Oedipus' first impression of Laius in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Tall and old are Oedipus' first impressions of Laius in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Oedipus asks his wife, Queen Jocasta, about her first husband Laius' height and age. Jocasta characterizes Laius as of the same shape and size as Oedipus. She also describes him as having whitening hair.


How old is Oedipus in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Somewhere in his forties (40s) is most likely Oedipus' age in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Oedipus has four children. His twin sons, Eteocles and Polyneices, inherit the throne. Oedipus is married and reigning long enough to have a reputation for personal happiness and professional success. That puts him in the early to middle forties.


How does the shepherd identify Oedipus as the baby he rescues in 'Oedipus Rex'?

It is by Oedipus' scarred ankles that the shepherd identifies Oedipus as the baby he rescues in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the three-day-old infant Oedipus has a rod run through both ankles. The rod is removed when the Theban shepherd prevents Oedipus' death by exposure on the mountains outside Thebes. But the piercing leaves Oedipus with scarred and swollen ankles as well as with a shuffling gait.