Reading Log

Rising action:

The rising action of Oedipus the King happens when Creon returns from the oracle with the news that
when the murderer of Laius, the king before Oedipus, is discovered and forced out, the plague in Thebes
will end. As Creon requires that Oedipus return to Thebes and attempts to compel him to do so, the
rising activity of Oedipus at Colonus occurs

Falling Action:

The falling action is the effect of Oedipus's learning of his identity as the man who murdered his father
and slept with his mother in Oedipus the King. Jocasta is motivated to hang herself by this discovery,
Oedipus to poke his own eyes out, and Creon to banish Oedipus from Thebes. The falling action of
Oedipus at Colonus is the curse of Polynices by Oedipus,

Climax

When Oedipus discovers, somewhat contrary to his wishes, that he is the man responsible for the
plague that has struck Thebes, the climax of Oedipus the King happens. He is the man who killed his
father and slept with his mother. Oedipus's climax at Colonus happens when we learn of the death of
Oedipus.

Background

It follows the story of King Oedipus of Thebes as he discovers that he has unwittingly killed his
own father, Laius, and married his own mother, Jocasta. Over the centuries, it has come to be
regarded by many as the Greek tragedy par excellence and certainly as the summit of
Sophocles' achievements
Resolution
Creon commands the guards to remove Antigone and Ismene from Edipus, and informs Edipus
that his authority is over.