Acting Greek Tragedy

Recording 9 - Oedipus and Jocasta, in a dialogue from Sophocles’ Oedipus the King – Joe McDonnell and Penny Simons.

This remarkable scene is played in public, outside in the presence of the chorus, but to our modern eyes it seems more like a domestic and interior drama. Oedipus is troubled by the memory of his murderous violence at a crossroad, many years ago on his journey from Delphi to Thebes, an event which he begins to connect with what he is hearing about the death of Laius, the former king of Thebes. But Jocasta is determined to downplay what oracles say, and to reassure and comfort her husband.
This scene is an addition to those discussed in the book.

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