-
Chapter 5. The Place of Death: 'Oedipus at Colonus'
- Fordham University Press
- Chapter
- Additional Information
5 The Place of Death: ‘Oedipus at Colonus’ A s i s well known, Sophocles’ Theban Plays were composed neither as a trilogy nor in narrative sequence: Antigone was written first, probably around 442–441 ..; Oedipus Tyrannos some twenty years later; and Oedipus at Colonus shortly before Sophocles’ death in 406. Yet despite the divergence of biographical chronology from mythical-narrative coherence, the relations between the three plays are more significant than the epithet Theban might suggest. Although there is no unity of time and place in the composition of the three plays, the place-name of the city, Thebes, stands for a commonality of concerns that is more than just thematic. At the same time, there is a finality to the last-written play that belies or, rather, complicates its intermediary position in the chronological progression of the story of the decline and fall of the house of the Labdacus, founders of Thebes. Oedipus has come to Colonus—Sophocles’ birthplace—to die. And yet, before dying, he will present his death as a ‘‘gift’’ (l. 577) to his hosts. How does death come to be a gift? Here, at least, by being staged in a very singular manner, namely, as a secret. Only Theseus, ruler of Athens (which includes Colonus, its ‘‘brazen threshold,’’ l. 57), who has welcomed and protected Oedipus, is to ‘‘know’’ the secret, but in a way that will enable it to survive and protect its guardian , Athens, from the perils of time and the destruction of war. By keeping the secret—keeping it secret—and by transmitting it to his ‘‘chosen heir,’’ Theseus will enable Athens to thrive. Oedipus comes to Colonus, then, not just to die there but to bestow upon the city the gift of his death. In order for this death to be a gift, however—which is to say, to have the power of being transmitted through its effects—it must be kept secret. Not the fact that it has taken place, but rather the particular place it takes. This place must remain unseen, invisible, unknown to all save one: Theseus alone, as PAGE 141 141 ................. 11043$ $CH5 11-04-04 08:11:39 PS O e d i p u s a t C o l o n u s King of Athens and Colonus, is permitted by Oedipus to witness his passing, and thus his final resting place. Only so, Oedipus claims, can the gift of his death protect Athens, not just against the ravages of time, but specifically against the ‘‘Dragon’s brood’’—which is to say, those who, like Oedipus himself, are said to have sprung from the dragon’s teeth sown by Cadmus, founder of Thebes. This secret brings with it a no less enigmatic question: How or why should the secret of Oedipus’ final resting-place—which is to say, the place of his death—have the power to protect a city, Athens, better than any military or political alliance ever could? What, in other words, allows Oedipus to make the following promise: O son of Aegeus, I will unfold that which shall be a treasure for this thy city, such as age can never mar. Anon, unaided, and with no hand to guide me, I will show the way to the place [khōron] where I must die. But that place reveal thou never unto mortal man—tell not where it is hidden, nor in what region it lies; that so it may ever make for thee a defence, better than many shields, better than the succouring spear of neighbors. But, for mysteries which speech may not profane, thou shalt mark them for thyself, when thou comest to that place alone; since neither to any of this people can I utter them, nor to mine own children, dear though they are. No, guard them thou alone; and when thou art coming to the end of life, disclose them to thy heir alone; let him teach his heir; and so henceforth. And thus shalt thou hold this city unscathed from the side of the Dragon’s brood. (ll. 1518–32)1 What is it about keeping the place of his death secret that can lead Oedipus to make such claims? What is it about this secret that can continue to exercise a power of fascination when the particular historical circumstances, which may or may not have motivated Sophocles to write these lines, have long since lost their relevance? If there is an affirmative answer to...