Some twelve years before the actual story begins, Oedipus has been made King of Thebes in gratitude for his freeing the people from the pestilence brought on them by the presence of the riddling Sphinx. Since Laius, the former king, had shortly before been killed, Oedipus has been further honored by the hand of Queen Jocasta. Now another deadly pestilence is raging and the people have come to ask Oedipus to rescue them as before. …showed first 75 words of 401 total…

…showed last 75 words of 401 total…of Polybus and Merope, but a foundling form the house of Laius deserted in the mountains. This statement is confirmed by the old shepherd whom Jocasta had charged with the task of exposing her baby. Thus the ancient prophecy has been fulfilled in each dreadful detail. Jocasta, in her horror, hangs herself and Oedipus stabs her eyes. Then he imposes on himself the penalty of exile, which he had promised for the murderer of Laius.