Oedipus Rex · Character

Messenger

A traveler from Corinth who arrives with news of a king's death, only to unearth the buried facts of Oedipus's origins and the terrible road that led him to Thebes.

supporting

Also known as Messenger One, Second Messenger, Messenger Friend

First appearance: oedipus rex

As a supporting figure in Oedipus Rex, Messenger is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Listed as a character in the dramatis personae, along with a Second Messenger.

In the storyDramatis PersonaeOpen this moment free

See Messenger in Dramatis Personae Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

He comes as a stranger bearing what sounds like simple tidings: Polybus, king of Corinth, is dead, and the Corinthians want Oedipus to rule them. But he carries a second, older story — that he himself once received an infant on a mountainside and passed it to another shepherd. That memory turns an ordinary embassy into the hinge on which Oedipus's whole identity swings, and it is his patient, almost cheerful testimony that forces the king to keep asking the questions no one wants answered.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Messenger sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Messenger in oedipus rex

Character Web

7 connections

A slice of how Messenger sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Professional
Other

Character groups

Truth Revealers and Seekers
Protagonist
Background and Catalysts

+2 more in the full Character Web

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Relationships

Herdsman
professional · ambivalent
The Herdsman and Messenger are former colleagues who share critical information about… How this plays out →
Oedipus
professional · ambivalent
Polybus
professional · ambivalent
Herdsman
professional · ambivalent
The Herdsman and Messenger are former colleagues who share critical information about… How this plays out →
Oedipus
professional · ambivalent

Herdsman
The Herdsman and Messenger are former colleagues who share critical information about Oedipus's past, leading to the revelation of his true identity.
Oedipus
The Messenger brings news of Polybus's death and inadvertently reveals the truth about Oedipus's adoption, acting as a catalyst for the tragedy.
Polybus
The Messenger was a servant of Polybus, and he delivers news of Polybus's death and the secret of Oedipus's adoption.
Herdsman
The Herdsman and Messenger are former colleagues who share critical information about Oedipus's past, leading to the revelation of his true identity.
Oedipus
The Messenger brings news of Polybus's death and inadvertently reveals the truth about Oedipus's adoption, acting as a catalyst for the tragedy.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Messenger in oedipus rex

In the story

Messenger appears across 1 companion beat. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Dramatis Personae

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Messenger unlock in the free preview.

See Messenger in oedipus rex

See Messenger in Dramatis Personae