Oedipus the King Chapter Summary & Analysis - Scene 2 Summary

Scene 2 Summary

Oedipus enters and tells the people that while praying is good, they should seek to avenge the death of Laius as the oracle directed in order to alleviate their suffering. Oedipus knows nothing of the murder or how to find the murderer, since he was not a citizen of Thebes until after Laius's death.

He appeals to the citizens, asking that if anyone knows who killed Laius, they should come forward and tell Oedipus what they know. If someone is afraid to come forward, Oedipus says that whoever comes forward and confesses will not be punished by death, but will be banished from the kingdom with no harm to them. If a foreigner is known as the murderer, Oedipus offers a reward to anyone who turns him in. He warns people not to shield or protect the killer, since it is against both the gods and the murdered king. He...
(read more)