Wednesday Journal

I found the information on greed theatre helpful as I read through the play.

The choruswas one instance that I found slightly confusing at first. After the priest and supplicants leave Oedipus in the beginning of the play, the chorus explains the situation of the plague in a drawn out speech.

Wasted thus by death on death
All our city perisheth.
Corpses spread infection round;
None to tend or mourn is found.
Wailin on the altar stair
Wives and grandmas rend the air--
Long-drawn moans and peircing cries
Blent with prayers and litanies
Golden child of Zeus, O hear,
Let thine angel face appear.

Here the chorus offers some background to the audience about the ongoing plague. This in turn is eventually explained by Laius's murder.

In addition, the information on a tragedy as the fall of the important and powerful is supported by the play. Oedipus is powerful, benevolent, and wise, and he eventually kills his father and marries his mother. This makes the play tragic, as opposed to just sad.