Oedipus

A Short One Act Play

by

Keith Passmore

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 This script is provided for reading purposes only. Professionals and
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 Oedipus

The Characters

*Narrator

*King Laius

Jocasta

*The Oracle

*Guard 1

*Shepherd

*Shepherd’s Wife

Oedipus

*Manos

*Dragos

*Guard 2

*Guard 3

*The Sphinx

*Teresias
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* These parts could be shared among the cast. One person could play 2 or
more parts. Some male characters could be played by females
 Oedipus

Introduction:

This play is based on the Greek myth and could be performed in a

‘double billing’ with the author’s play, ‘Antigone’.

Scene 1-The Palace of Thebes

The stage is empty.

Laius enters R holding a goblet. He crosses L and drinks wine.

Laius: I cannot rest; all I do is seek solace in drinking more and

more wine.

Jocasta enters R carrying a new born child in her arms. She crosses
RC. Laius has his back to her.

Jocasta: Why do you not rejoice in the birth of your heir?

Lauis: My mind is in turmoil. I fear for the child and the future of
Thebes.

Jocasta: You should have nothing to fear. Thebes is strong under

your leadership. Why should it not be strong under the future reign
of your son?

Lauis: We must seek the advice of the Oracle.

Jocasta: But, why?

Lauis: (turning on her) Questions! Questions! Why do you ask so

many? I feel we must obtain the blessing of Apollo on the birth of
our child.

Jocasta: I’m sure the gods are rejoicing his birth. Why shouldn’t
they?

Lauis: (turning away from her) I’m not so sure. We shall go to

Delphi in the morning.
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Lights down
Scene Two –The Temple at Delphi

The stage is bare of furniture. The Oracle stands UC with his back
to the audience and with his hands held high making an offering to
Apollo.

Laius and Jocasta, carrying the baby in her arms, enter DR.

The Oracle turns to them.

Oracle: What brings you here King Laius?

Laius: I’m concerned about the birth of our child. I’ve had strange
dreams about him.

Jocasta: Huh! Your dreams have been fuelled by too much wine.

Laius: Jocasta!

Oracle: Are you not troubled by the prophecy?

Jocasta: Prophecy? What prophecy?

Laius: Be quiet woman! Please continue.

Oracle: Did you not know of the curse upon this boy child?

Laius: We know nothing about it. No one has mentioned a prophecy

or a curse, but I had a feeling all was not as it seemed.

Jocasta: A curse? How ridiculous.

Oracle: I assure you it is true. It is said that he will seek to kill his
father and marry his mother! You must, of course, appease the
Gods by taking steps to prevent this from happening.

Laius: (aghast and slowly crossing DL) I must seek appeasement.

Jocasta: How could the child, my child, marry me? (Turning to

Laius) And why would he kill you? It is you who has cursed my son!
Your wild dreams and speculations have angered the Gods!

Oracle: Remember where you are my queen. Do not incur Apollo’s

wrath!
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Laius: (Turning on Jocasta) Also remember whom you are

addressing! I’m the King of Thebes. Do not forget that Jocasta.
Jocasta: And I hold in my arms the future King of Thebes. Do not
forget that.

Laius: If you continue in this manner you’ll have nothing more to do

with the child!

Jocasta: You will never take my child from me!

Oracle: Please, please I must insist that you both behave in the
proper manner. I can do nothing more. You must hope and pray to
the Gods that the child shall not cause you any harm my lord.

Jocasta: How could you possibly fear this beautiful child?

Laius: Its beauty hides the curse! Come, we must return to

Thebes.

He crosses DR and exits followed by Jocasta

The Oracle turns to make another offering, as the lights go down

Scene 3

The Palace at Thebes

The stage is bare of furniture. Laius enters R and crosses to C. He

sighs deeply and strokes his brow and face.

Jocasta enters R

Jocasta: My son sleeps. (Sarcastically) I’m sure he will not seek to

harm you.

Laius: If you continue to bait me, harm will come your way!

Jocasta falls at his feet

Jocasta: Oh please, I love him so much; you cannot make my son

an orphan!

Laius: In order to protect the Theban dynasty, the child shall be

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banished from my kingdom!

Jocasta: (on her knees) No! I beg of you please do not do this.

Laius: Enough! The child is no longer mine or yours!

Jocasta: He shall always be mine!

Laius crosses DR and calls

Laius: Guard!

Guard 1 enters DR and bows

Laius: Bring the child to me.

The Guard bows and exits DR

Jocasta cries out and attempts to follow Guard 1, but Laius grabs
her and she hammers his chest with her fists.

Laius and Jocasta freeze as lights go down and a Spot comes up on

Narrator RC

Narrator: Laius has the infant’s ankles pinned together and gives
orders for it to be sent from Thebes. A servant leaves the child on a
ledge in the mountains. A shepherd attending his sheep hears the
baby’s cries and takes the child home to the shepherd’s poor
surroundings.

Lights down

Scene 4 - A Shepherd’s hut.

Lights up. There is a rustic chair at LC upon which the Shepherd’s

wife sits holding the child which is wrapped in a shawl. The
shepherd stands at C

Shepherd: Should we keep the child?

Wife: Much as I love the boy, we’ve no right to keep him.

Shepherd: But he’s obviously been abandoned and you’ve always

craved another child ever since our own son was taken from us.
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Wife: You forget our son died because we couldn’t afford to feed
him.
Shepherd: But that was long ago.

Wife: We are forever struggling to make ends meet. (She fondles

the shawl) This shawl is of fine quality. He’s obviously a nobleman’s
son. I don’t want the stress of bringing him up and the possibility of
handing him over to his rightful parents.

Shepherd: You talk about possibilities. As I’ve said he’s obviously

been abandoned by his parents. I’m thinking of your happiness as
well as my own. We deserve to have this child.

Wife: The child needs the care we can’t give him.

Shepherd: What about the love we could shower upon him?

She stands and hands her husband the child.

Wife: You are a fine man and I know you’ll make a wonderful father
but much as it hurts me, we must take the practical course; go to
Corinth and find a good family who’d be able to care for him
properly.

Shepherd: I’ve always craved a son.

Wife: I know my love and I’m deeply sorry. Please take him with
you and go quickly.

The Shepherd is at first reluctant to go, but he shakes his head and
exits DR with the child. The Wife buries her head in her hands and
weeps uncontrollably and exits quickly L.

The Narrator enters UR and crosses to DC

Narrator: The shepherd learns from a soothsayer named Teresias

that King Polibus and Queen Merope of Corinth would gladly adopt a
child. The shepherd takes the child to the royal couple. The
shepherd and his wife are rewarded and everyone appears to be
happy. The child is named Oedipus, which means swollen feet,
caused by the earlier act of pinning. As an adolescent, conflict
enters Oedipus’s life.

The Narrator exits DR as the Lights go down

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Scene 5 - The Palace at Corinth

The stage is bare of furniture.

Oedipus enters R. He has a slight limp. He crosses C as Manos

enters DR

Manos: You are an oddball, Oedipus. You do not look a bit like your
Mother or Father.

Oedipus: Manos, why do you continue to insult me?

Manos (laughing): Hobble home to your parents Oedipus!

Oedipus draws his sword.

Oedipus: I could have you hanged for your insults Manos, but I’d
prefer to deal with you myself.

Manos: I meant no offence to our King and Queen. (He draws his
sword), but as for you, you’re just a mongrel!

Oedipus: You’re the dog Manos and a mangy one at that!

Oedipus lunges at him and their swords clash.

Dragos the High Priest enters R

Dragos: Stop! Lower your weapons! Manos you forget that Oedipus
is a skilled fighter. Unless you wish your screams to ring through
the Palace, I would advise you to withdraw and leave.

Manos: I’m as skilled as he and I would beat him. Yes, I shall leave,
but I make no apology to you Oedipus.

Dragos: You’re becoming a bore. Just go without any passing

comment.

Manos is reluctant and is about to approach Oedipus.

Dragos: I said go!

Manus stops and quickly exits L

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Dragos: Manos is a fool and a hothead! Try not to be coaxed by

him. You’re a far better individual.
Oedipus: Manos remarks suggest that I’m not the king and queen’s
son?

Dragos: Ignore him. He’s a jealous oaf and he envies your skills.
Don’t lose your dignity; you must never forget that the king and
queen adore you. Forget this incident, my prince.

Oedipus: But the dreams I’ve had concern me and have placed
doubt in my mind concerning my parentage.

Dragos: You must learn to dispense with such nonsense and dwell
in the light of day. Such preoccupation will cause you great anxiety.

Oedipus: I appreciate your concern, Dragos.

Oedipus exits L. Dragos watches him and smiles before he exits R

Lights down and up on Oedipus who enters from UL in dim light. He

crosses slowly to DC. He shakes and scratches his head.

Dragos enters DR

Oedipus: I’m so restless and my dreams haunt me? Am I losing my

mind? Do I belong here in Corinth?

Dragos: Sleep my prince; do not concern yourself with prophetic

dreams and nightmares. You must accept who you are. Corinth is
your home.

Oedipus ignores him and exits UL. Dragos watches him, shakes his
head and exits R

The Narrator enters

Narrator: Oedipus ventures outside the walls of Corinth in the hope

his mind clears. He travels far in search of…well, something he does
not understand. He stops at a crossroads.

Lights down and up into the next scene

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Scene 7: The Crossroads

The stage is bare of furniture

Enter Oedipus DR. As he speaks Guard 1, enters R and listens from

a distance.

Oedipus: My head is bursting! The voices I hear are a cacophony of

noise. I cannot return to Corinth in my present state of mind. What
is to become of me?

Laius and Guards 2 and 3 enter R

Laius: Who are you?

Oedipus: My name is Oedipus.

Laius: Oedipus? You are not from Thebes. Where are you from?

Oedipus: Thebes? Why, no.

Guard 1: I heard him talking to himself my lord. I’d say he’s either
drunk or of unsound mind.

Oedipus: My mind is troubled, but I am neither drunk nor unsound.

Laius: Talking to oneself is a matter of concern young man. Perhaps

you prefer your own answers to your questions, since I’m certain
none other would be bothered.

He and the other Guards laugh

Oedipus: I do not seek to be the brunt of your humour sir!

Laius: A challenging response young man. Next you will be

threatening me.

Laius chuckles and he and the Guards unsheathe their swords.

Oedipus draws his.

Guard 2: The odds are in our favour young fool! One against four is
somewhat unhealthy don’t you think?

Guard 3: We’ll have your eyes for the crows!

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Laius: And I want you skewered and slowly cut into pieces for the
jackals!
Oedipus: I wonder whether you have the skills to succeed.

Laius: Oh, I think we have. Fight!

They do so and after a period of fighting Oedipus kills Guards 1 and

2.

Laius: Your swordsmanship is impressive, but not so skilful to slay

me.

After another bout Oedipus slays Laius by driving his sword into his
chest. Laius drops to his knees surprised, reaches up at Oedipus
and attempts to talk, but chokes and falls face down. Oedipus
grapples with Guard 3 and manages to force him to the ground and
holds him by the throat

Oedipus: What’s it to be, your eyes for the crows?

Guard 3: Not my eyes. Kill me, but don’t take my eyes. I must have
my eyes for the next life.

Oedipus: Get up! You must go now!

Guard 3: You’re setting me free?

Oedipus: Yes. Free from this world! Go with good sight!

He slays the Guard who cries out and falls to the ground

Lights down and up on the Narrator at DL

Narrator: Oedipus decides to take the road to Thebes. At the gates

of the city he is barred from entry by a Sphinx who challenges him.

Scene 8: The Gates of Thebes

The stage is bare of furniture

Lights up on the Sphinx at LC, a beautiful woman in a clinging long

gold dress with a low bust line. She has raven coloured hair and her
eyes, lids and lashes compliment her dark features. She moves
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provocatively and stands before him. She carries a spear.

Oedipus: I have no quarrel with Thebes, Let me through!

Sphinx: You are not like the others who have confronted me. You’re
young and strong, rather fetching.

She laughs briefly

Sphinx: Who are you?

Oedipus: (proudly) I’m Oedipus of Corinth, the son of King Polibus

and Queen Merope.

Sphinx: Oedipus? I’ve never heard of you. What is your business in

Thebes?

Oedipus: I hve none. I’m travelling to clear my mind.

The Sphinx laughs

Sphinx: What a strange man you are, but be warned Oedipus, I’ve
slaughtered and devoured many travellers. None have entered
Thebes.

Oedipus: Are we to fight?

Sphinx: Fight? If we did I would succeed, since I have the utmost

power to kill you.

Oedipus smiles

Oedipus: Oh really?

Sphinx: Don’t mock me young man, but I shall offer you a chance.
You shall answer a riddle. Only if you answer it correctly will you be
able to enter Thebes, which will soon be under my power!

Oedipus: Is this some childish game?

Sphinx: If you continue to mock me I shall have cause to strike you

down and feed upon your miserable body! Feast your eyes on the
bones of others, stranger.

Oedipus: (He looks about him) I’m tired of conflict. What is your
riddle?
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Sphinx: Good! A pre-dinner exercise!

Her loud raucous laugh causes Oedipus to clasp his ears. The
Sphinx approaches and taunts him by stroking his face and lightly
runs the point of her spear from his neck to the pit of his stomach.
Oedipus freezes. She moves away and turns, pointing the spear at
him.

Sphinx: Who, in the morning, walks on four legs, at midday on two

and in the evening on three? The riddle is probably wasted on you
as it was on the others before you. if you do not answer it correctly
I look forward to picking your bones.

Her laughter rings out again and Oedipus winces. His reply cuts
short her laughter.

Oedipus: (boldly) Man!

Sphinx: What did you say?

Oedipus: Man is my answer to your riddle!

Sphinx: (manically) Man?

Oedipus: In the morning of his life, as a baby, he walks or rather

crawls on four. At midday, as a fit and strong adult, he walks and
runs on two legs.

The Sphinx is shocked and wails

And in the autumn of his years or in the evening, he walks with the
aid of a stick, which becomes his third leg.

The Sphinx screams in horror.

Sphinx: You’ve tricked me, damn you!

Oedipus: No. I simply out- riddled you!

Sphinx: I shall not allow you to enter the city!

She lunges at him with the spear, but Oedipus avoids it and draws
his sword. The Sphinx laughs, but despite the loudness of it
Oedipus challenges her. Screaming, the Sphinx rushes at him but
Oedipus skilfully side steps her attempt to kill him and drives his
sword into her neck. She screams, which soon becomes a horrifying
gurgle as she attempts to curse him. She drops her spear, slumps
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to her knees clasping her neck, then raises a hand to seize him, but
rolls over onto her back.
The actors freeze as the lights go down and come up on the
Narrator at DL in a Spot

Narrator: The citizens of Thebes celebrated the slaying of the

Sphinx. Later the news of Laius’s death arrives and after a brief
period of mourning Oedipus accepts the offer of Kingship of Thebes.
Jocasta who has retained her beauty and youthful disposition
becomes his queen. Oedipus adores her.

Lights down and up on Oedipus RC in a Spot.

Oedipus: My mind is no longer troubled. I must surely be the most

fortunate man on earth. My wife is beautiful and she stimulates and
comforts me.

Spot off Oedipus and on Jocasta at LC.

Jocasta: I’ve never been so happy since my early days with my

deceased husband. My present lord is kind, passionate and I feel
youthful!

Spot off Jocasta and on Narrator at DL

Narrator: However, a tragedy unfolds. Teresias, the prophet, enters

the city. He’s been called upon to assist Oedipus concerning a
plague which threatens Thebes.

Spot off

Lights down

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Scene 9: The Palace at Thebes

The only item of furniture is a chair at LC

Enter Teresias DR

He crosses to C

Teresias: I have a strange feeling about this city. Yes, even about
this room, as if something fateful is about to unfold.

Oedipus enters L. Teresias is startled.

Oedipus: Greetings Teresias. I’m grateful you accepted my

invitation. What can be done about this plague?

Teresias: (Shocked) Are you the king, Oedipus?

Oedipus: Yes. Why do you question me?

Teresias: My lord. Have we met before, in Corinth perhaps?

Oedipus: I don’t think so, unless it was in a past existence.

Teresias: Please excuse my demeanour.

Oedipus: I hope it’s not the plague.

Teresias: May I sit down?

Oedipus: Of course.

Teresias crosses to the chair and stops. He turns, clutches his

stomach in great pain and slumps into the chair.

Oedipus: You’re ill. I’ll call for assistance.

Teresias: No, no it shall soon pass.

He coughs and takes a deep breath.

Oedipus: I’m concerned for you.

Teresias waves a hand at him in attempt to appease him.

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Teresias: My lord you called me here to discuss a prophecy about

the future of Thebes (he coughs) Your concern about the plague!
Oedipus: Yes, it’s causing me some concern.

Teresias: I cannot direct my intention to that problem since a

greater one has now consumed me!

They freeze

The Narrator enters L and addresses the audience

Narrator: Teresias explains about the baby found in the mountains.

He also mentions the prophecy concerning the killing of his father.

The Narrator exits DR

Oedipus: Are you suggesting that the baby was me?

Teresias: Indeed my lord.

Oedipus: But how can you recognise me? I was a child, a baby in
arms!

Teresias: It is what I’ve been informed by the spiritual world.

Oedipus: Then who was my father?

Teresias: Your true father was King Laius.

Oedipus laughs incredulously

Teresias: King Laius knew of the prophecy that you would kill him.

Oedipus: But I haven’t killed a King!

Teresias: Who did you meet at the crossroads? You do remember

the incident?

Oedipus: Of course, an old man and his henchmen. They were of no

importance.

Teresias: That elderly man was Laius! Your father!

Oedipus: You’re mad. I expected to meet a prophet not a deranged

fool! I think you should leave my palace forthwith!
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Teresias: I am not a fool my lord. The plague is as a result of the
will of the Gods. They were angry at your slaying of King Laius and
your appointment as King of Thebes in his stead.

Oedipus: That’s ludicrous!

Teresias: And there is something else which angers the Gods.

Oedipus: What is it?

Teresias: (quietly) It concerns your wife

Oedipus: My wife?

Teresias: The other part of the prophecy suggested that you would
marry your mother.

Oedipus laughs incredulously

Oedipus: Jocasta is my mother?

Teresias nods and silently rises from the chair

Oedipus: (fiercely) Come on say it!

Oedipus grabs him by the neck of his cloak.

Oedipus: You are demented and I shall ensure you never return to
Thebes

Teresias: It’s the truth my lord!

Oedipus: Truth? The truth is you’re mad!

Teresias: Please believe me my lord!

Oedipus forces him off DR

Oedipus crosses to C deep in thought. He yells at the top of his

voice.

Oedipus: JOCASTA!!

Lights down and up on Oedipus who is pacing the empty stage.

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Enter Jocasta
Jocasta: Dear husband aren’t you well?

Oedipus: The soothsayer, prophet...whatever he is………

Jocasta: Teresias?

Oedipus: He told me I killed Lauis! Before I came here I was at the

crossroads and I killed my attackers! That is where Lauis was found.

Jocasta: Who is to know? What does it mean? Simply, by accident

you killed my husband in self-defence.

Oedipus: What became of the child you had?

Jocasta: What?

Oedipus: Tell me!

Jocasta: We got rid of it! We had too. The Oracle warned that our
son would kill its father and…..

Oedipus: (interjecting) What? Don’t you see? It’s true!

Jocasta: I don’t understand….

Oedipus: I am your son!

The actors freeze as the lights go down.

Spot on Narrator at LC

Narrator: Thebes remained in turmoil. Oedipus and Jocasta had

committed the ultimate sin. There was only one solution. A tragic
one……

Spot off Narrator

Spot on Jocasta at C, who is spread-eagled on the floor, a goblet in

her outstretched hand.

Spot off and Lights up

Oedipus enters R, falls beside her, takes the goblet, peers into it
and sniffs. He cries out and drops the goblet.
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Oedipus: Oh Jocasta! What have you done my love! Oh, how I
adore you! We could have faced the world together and overcome
this difficulty. How can I face my children and subjects on my own?

Oedipus cradles Jocasta in his arms and weeps uncontrollably. He

picks her up and stumbles off with her DR.

Lights down and up on The Narrator at LC

Narrator: Oedipus was unable to face his children and subjects and
in repentance for his sins, tore out his eyes.

The Narrator exits L as a blood curdling scream is heard and

Oedipus enters DR, stumbles to DC and turns to the audience.
Blood flows from his eye sockets. He falls to his knees and wails.

Lights down slowly

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