In the following essay, David H. Porter examines the parallelism of the play, believing that the main movement of the play "finds imitation at virtually every level."

There are many unresolved questions about Aeschylus' Seven Against Thebes. Does the play fall into two imperfectly linked sections, the first dealing with the conflict between Thebes and the Argive invaders, the second with the effects of Oedipus' curse on his sons? Does Eteocles act with freedom of choice, or is he merely the unwitting agent of the curse? Does he make his selection of defenders as the play actually unfolds, or has he already made this selection before he appears for the great central scene? What is the precise nature of the curse which Oedipus has cast upon his sons? Is Eteocles' death to be seen as a sacrifice willingly undertaken in order to save the city? Are we...