Death In Oedipus And Antigone

Death affects the story and evolves through all three Theban plays as its own distinctive entity. Both as a concept and a deity recognized by the characters, death plays a role in the direction of the narrative by influencing motivations, fears, and desires. In turn, each play gives death a different form just as it does with Oedipus or Creon by exploring the characterization of death and the implications of what kind of entity “Lord Death” is.

In Antigone, the first Theban play written by Sophocles, death is a looming presence that marks a hard ending. Death is a destination for Antigone and it represents the end of her family, of her suffering, and of every mortal man. It is said that "only Death, from Death alone [man] will find no rescue"

When Oedipus and Antigone arrive at Colonus at the beginning of the play, they have both been wandering the Mediterranean for years. A blind, elderly, grief-ridden Oedipus has been estranged by his sons only to be called upon to prevent a curse on Thebes. The first glimpse given of death immediately sets it into the role of salvation. To keep Thebes safe, Oedipus must be buried with the proper rites near the city. For Oedipus himself, salvation comes in the form of going to death after a long life of suffering. In this case, death also takes on an empowering role. The Chorus pleads Oedipus’ case stating that he has experienced grievous misery and, referring to the hand of death, ask that “some power, some justice, grant him glory” (Oedipus at Colonus, 1775-78). In the final years of Oedipus’ life he is granted some faculty in the larger scheme of fate due to the effects his burial place will have on the city nearest to his body. Death gives the blind king the chance to take initiative and decide the fate of his sons, Thebes, and Athens. The Death portrayed in Oedipus at Colonus is a sweet promise of release from a long, brutal