# Oedipus — Oedipus at Colonus character guide

> Oedipus in Oedipus at Colonus by Sophocles.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Theseus Oedipus, Oedipus Hath Phoebus

**First appearance:** 0002-oedipus-at-colonus

## Snapshot

Blind, banished king who plants himself on sacred ground at Colonus and refuses to move until Athens decides his fate.

## Who they are

Oedipus arrives at Colonus as a beggar led by his daughter, but he is also a man carrying an oracle: this grove is where he must die, and his burial will bless whoever shelters him. He is at once pitiable and terrifying — broken by suffering yet iron-willed, courteous to strangers yet capable of terrible curses. His refusal to leave the sacred ground forces the Elders, and then King Theseus, to reckon with him, and his presence turns a quiet Athenian deme into the stage for his final, strange triumph.

## Relationships

### [Antigone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se/characters/antigone)

_family_

Antigone is Oedipus's devoted daughter and guide, caring for him in his blindness and exile with unwavering loyalty.

### [Theseus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se/characters/theseus)

_friendship_

Theseus becomes Oedipus's trusted ally and protector, offering him sanctuary and respect in Athens.

### [Creon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se/characters/creon)

_rivalry_

Creon is Oedipus's manipulative brother-in-law who tries to coerce him into returning to Thebes for political gain.

### [Stranger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se/characters/stranger)

_social_

Oedipus encounters the Stranger as a local inhabitant who informs him about the sacred ground of Colonus.

### [Ismene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se/characters/ismene)

_family_

Ismene is Oedipus's daughter who brings him news from Thebes and supports him despite his curse.

### [Messenger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se/characters/messenger)

_professional_

The Messenger reports to Oedipus about the events surrounding his death and the fulfillment of his prophecy.

### [Polyneices](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se/characters/polyneices)

_family_

Oedipus curses his son Polyneices for abandoning him, refusing his plea for help in a bitter familial conflict.

### [Poseidon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se/characters/poseidon)

_psychological_

Oedipus invokes Poseidon in his prayers and curses, treating the god as a witness to his suffering and a source of divine justice.

### [Aegeus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se/characters/aegeus)

_friendship_

Aegeus, father of Theseus, is referenced as a former ally who offered Oedipus hospitality and protection.

### [Apollo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se/characters/apollo)

_psychological_

Oedipus is haunted by Apollo's prophecy that foretold his tragic fate, viewing the god as both punisher and revealer of truth.

### [Antigone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se/characters/antigone)

_family_

Antigone is Oedipus's devoted daughter and guide, caring for him in his blindness and exile with unwavering loyalty.

### [Ismene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se/characters/ismene)

_family_

Ismene is Oedipus's daughter who brings him news from Thebes and supports him despite his curse.

## In the story

### [Dramatis Personae](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se/chapters/dramatis-personae)

Banished King of Thebes, central figure of the play.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se/chapters/endnotes)

Oedipus is the subject of the oracle concerning his grave and the future battle.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se/characters/oedipus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se/characters