WEBVTT 00:00:02.585 --> 00:00:16.870 [♪ trumpets] 00:00:31.696 --> 00:00:33.231 Actor: Behind those doors a company is 00:00:33.231 --> 00:00:34.700 getting ready to act the tragedy of 00:00:34.700 --> 00:00:36.518 King Oedipus. 00:00:36.518 --> 00:00:39.081 It was written more than 2,000 years ago. 00:00:39.081 --> 00:00:40.551 Sophocles, an Athenian poet 00:00:40.551 --> 00:00:42.241 wrote it for the great spring festival 00:00:42.241 --> 00:00:44.743 in honor of the god of spring. 00:00:44.743 --> 00:00:46.306 The events that you will see 00:00:46.306 --> 00:00:47.872 are not really taking place. 00:00:47.872 --> 00:00:50.843 They are just the reenactments of a sacrifice, 00:00:50.843 --> 00:00:52.407 a human sacrifice. 00:00:53.177 --> 00:00:54.794 In the Christian ritual, 00:00:54.794 --> 00:00:56.670 a priest by the breaking of bread 00:00:56.670 --> 00:00:58.099 and the pouring of wine 00:00:58.099 --> 00:01:00.005 symbolically reenacts the breaking of 00:01:00.005 --> 00:01:02.447 Christ's body and the shedding of His blood. 00:01:02.447 --> 00:01:04.022 In narrative and mind, 00:01:04.022 --> 00:01:06.348 he commemorates the sacrifice of one man 00:01:06.348 --> 00:01:08.349 who died for the people. 00:01:08.349 --> 00:01:11.120 We too, shall commemorate such a sacrifice, 00:01:11.120 --> 00:01:14.512 the destruction of one man that his people might live. 00:01:14.872 --> 00:01:16.765 As priests put on vestments and 00:01:16.765 --> 00:01:18.891 move in a preordained ritual, 00:01:18.891 --> 00:01:19.652 we... 00:01:21.512 --> 00:01:24.022 put on these characters and 00:01:24.022 --> 00:01:26.073 reenact this tragedy. 00:01:26.843 --> 00:01:28.683 The god of whom we shall speak and 00:01:28.683 --> 00:01:32.467 to whom we shall pray is called Apollo. 00:01:32.467 --> 00:01:34.869 He represents one aspect of omnipotence. 00:01:34.869 --> 00:01:36.908 He is the sun god, giver of light 00:01:36.908 --> 00:01:39.632 and giver of spiritual light. 00:01:39.632 --> 00:01:41.488 Our tragedy is largely concerned with the 00:01:41.488 --> 00:01:43.738 contrast of darkness and light. 00:01:43.738 --> 00:01:45.125 The darkness of blindness 00:01:45.125 --> 00:01:45.970 and the light of the eyes. 00:01:45.970 --> 00:01:46.972 The darkness of ignorance 00:01:46.972 --> 00:01:48.190 and the lightness of knowledge. 00:01:48.190 --> 00:01:49.255 The darkness of matter 00:01:49.255 --> 00:01:50.661 and the lightness of spirit. 00:01:50.661 --> 00:01:51.627 Imagination. 00:01:52.244 --> 00:01:55.208 In fact, this place is a stage. 00:01:55.208 --> 00:01:57.951 Around us are cameras, great lamps, 00:01:57.951 --> 00:01:59.579 the machinery of making films, 00:01:59.579 --> 00:02:01.955 but now, imagine. 00:02:03.424 --> 00:02:06.353 These great lamps are the sun. 00:02:07.190 --> 00:02:10.439 The cameras are watching eyes. 00:02:11.580 --> 00:02:15.801 The stage is part of the ancient city of Thebes. 00:02:15.801 --> 00:02:20.117 Here, on this rock stands the palace of the king. 00:02:20.557 --> 00:02:21.994 Chorus: King Oedipus. 00:02:21.994 --> 00:02:24.561 Actor: Around us and below is the city. 00:02:24.881 --> 00:02:26.785 Plague rages. 00:02:27.125 --> 00:02:28.608 The citizens approach. 00:02:28.608 --> 00:02:30.453 They carry branches hung with wool, 00:02:30.453 --> 00:02:32.686 traditional symbols of prayer. 00:03:05.836 --> 00:03:08.699 First Chorus Member: We are waiting for Oepdius. 00:03:09.200 --> 00:03:11.514 Chorus: Oedipus, King of Thebes. 00:03:11.919 --> 00:03:14.423 His queen is Jocasta. 00:03:14.423 --> 00:03:16.372 First Chorus Member: But Jocasta was once 00:03:16.372 --> 00:03:18.885 the wife of another king. 00:03:18.885 --> 00:03:22.659 Chorus: Another king of Thebes. 00:03:22.659 --> 00:03:26.418 Single: His name...Laius. 00:03:26.418 --> 00:03:28.771 Chorus: Laius. 00:03:28.771 --> 00:03:32.150 Second Chorus Member: Where is Laius? 00:03:32.150 --> 00:03:36.091 First: Disappeared. Went on a long journey. 00:03:36.091 --> 00:03:37.487 Never returned. 00:03:37.487 --> 00:03:41.179 Chorus: Laius. Never returned. 00:03:41.179 --> 00:03:43.599 Third Chorus Member: That was long ago. 00:03:43.599 --> 00:03:44.986 Fourth Chorus Member: Then came the Sphinx. 00:03:44.986 --> 00:03:45.498 Chorus: Sphinx! 00:03:45.498 --> 00:03:46.852 Chorus Member: What was the Sphinx? 00:03:46.852 --> 00:03:47.602 -Amongst us! 00:03:47.602 --> 00:03:48.521 -Half woman, half bear! 00:03:48.521 --> 00:03:51.772 -She ravished the city, devoured our children! 00:03:51.772 --> 00:03:54.192 -Thebes was in despair. 00:03:54.192 --> 00:03:56.068 Chorus: Despair. 00:03:56.068 --> 00:03:57.415 First: Then came a stranger... 00:03:57.415 --> 00:03:59.165 Chorus Member: A young man from far away. 00:03:59.165 --> 00:04:00.364 -Conquered the Sphinx! 00:04:00.364 --> 00:04:00.990 -Delivered us! 00:04:00.990 --> 00:04:01.617 -City! 00:04:01.617 --> 00:04:04.024 -In despair the Sphinx herself down from the rock. 00:04:04.024 --> 00:04:06.089 Chorus: Cast us down from the rock! 00:04:06.089 --> 00:04:08.124 Oedipus was our savior! 00:04:08.124 --> 00:04:10.708 [indiscernible] our king! 00:04:10.708 --> 00:04:13.040 First: Jocasta, wife to dead Laius became his queen. 00:04:13.040 --> 00:04:15.193 Chorus: Jocasta, queen of Thebes! 00:04:15.193 --> 00:04:18.486 Chorus: Oedipus conquer! Oedipus savior! 00:04:18.486 --> 00:04:20.021 Chorus Member: Oedipus! 00:04:20.021 --> 00:04:22.383 Chorus: Oedipus king! 00:04:23.295 --> 00:04:24.711 Oedipus: Children... 00:04:26.027 --> 00:04:27.529 descendents of Old Cadmus, 00:04:27.529 --> 00:04:29.634 why do you come before me? 00:04:30.374 --> 00:04:33.659 Why do you carry the branches of suppliant? 00:04:39.209 --> 00:04:40.821 I would not learn from any mouth 00:04:40.821 --> 00:04:42.084 but yours, old man. 00:04:42.084 --> 00:04:43.742 Therefore I question you myself. 00:04:44.742 --> 00:04:46.432 Do you know of anything that I can do 00:04:46.432 --> 00:04:47.506 and have not done? 00:04:47.506 --> 00:04:49.392 How can I being the man I am, 00:04:49.392 --> 00:04:51.833 do other than all I know? 00:04:52.687 --> 00:04:54.315 I would indeed heart of hearts, 00:04:54.315 --> 00:04:57.838 did I not pity such suppliants? 00:04:57.838 --> 00:05:01.760 Old Man: Plague ravages this city. 00:05:01.760 --> 00:05:04.641 A blight has fallen upon the fruitful blossoms 00:05:04.641 --> 00:05:06.317 of the land. 00:05:06.317 --> 00:05:10.102 A blight upon flock and field. 00:05:10.102 --> 00:05:13.760 A blight upon the marriage bed. 00:05:13.760 --> 00:05:16.139 Chorus Member: Oedipus king, 00:05:16.139 --> 00:05:19.780 not god, but foremost of living men. 00:05:20.960 --> 00:05:22.781 Old Man: We beseech you. 00:05:22.781 --> 00:05:26.597 All we suppliants do find some help. 00:05:28.037 --> 00:05:29.829 Uplift our states. 00:05:30.809 --> 00:05:32.546 Think upon your fame. 00:05:32.546 --> 00:05:35.199 Your coming brought us luck. 00:05:35.199 --> 00:05:38.181 Be lucky to us too. 00:05:38.630 --> 00:05:41.018 Remember that it is better to rule over men 00:05:41.018 --> 00:05:44.083 than over a waste place. 00:05:44.083 --> 00:05:48.653 Since neither wall down nor ship is anything, 00:05:48.653 --> 00:05:52.923 if it be empty and no man within it. 00:06:00.683 --> 00:06:03.228 Oedipus: My unhappy children, 00:06:04.427 --> 00:06:05.522 suffer as though you be, 00:06:05.522 --> 00:06:07.281 there is not a single one whose 00:06:07.281 --> 00:06:09.306 suffering is as mine. 00:06:10.213 --> 00:06:11.559 Each mourns himself, 00:06:11.559 --> 00:06:16.251 but my soul mourns the city, myself and you. 00:06:16.251 --> 00:06:18.190 Be certain that I have wept many tears 00:06:18.190 --> 00:06:19.764 and have searched hither and thither 00:06:19.764 --> 00:06:21.016 for some remedy. 00:06:22.116 --> 00:06:23.602 Indeed I have done the only thing that 00:06:23.602 --> 00:06:26.479 came into my head for all my search. 00:06:27.279 --> 00:06:29.813 I have sent the son of Menoeceus, 00:06:29.813 --> 00:06:33.184 Creon, my queen Jocasta's brother 00:06:33.184 --> 00:06:36.029 to the article of Apollo at Delphi 00:06:36.029 --> 00:06:37.971 to hear a word or deed of mine 00:06:37.971 --> 00:06:40.267 may yet deliver this town. 00:06:42.366 --> 00:06:43.955 I am troubled 00:06:45.517 --> 00:06:49.014 for he is a long time away. 00:06:49.014 --> 00:06:51.072 A longer time than should be. 00:06:52.332 --> 00:06:54.052 But when he comes I shall not be 00:06:54.052 --> 00:06:56.239 an honest man unless I do 00:06:56.239 --> 00:06:58.469 whatever the god commands. 00:06:58.469 --> 00:06:59.889 Chorus member: You hath spoken at the right time. 00:06:59.889 --> 00:07:03.013 They have just signaled that Creon has arrived. 00:07:03.013 --> 00:07:05.214 Oedipus: Oh, King Apollo may he bring 00:07:05.214 --> 00:07:08.281 bright upon fortune for his face is shining! 00:07:08.281 --> 00:07:09.625 Chorus member: He brings good news 00:07:09.625 --> 00:07:11.691 for he is crowned with fame! 00:07:11.691 --> 00:07:13.377 Oedipus: We should soon know. 00:07:14.856 --> 00:07:16.006 Brother in-law! 00:07:17.469 --> 00:07:19.679 Menoeceus's son 00:07:20.700 --> 00:07:23.770 What news from the god? 00:07:24.122 --> 00:07:25.542 Good news 00:07:27.154 --> 00:07:29.084 Our pain turns to pleasure 00:07:29.843 --> 00:07:31.063 When we have set 00:07:31.225 --> 00:07:32.515 the crooked straight 00:07:34.507 --> 00:07:35.357 But what is the oracle? 00:07:35.398 --> 00:07:37.538 So far the news is neither good nor bad 00:07:38.228 --> 00:07:38.898 If you would hear it 00:07:38.908 --> 00:07:40.138 with all these about you 00:07:40.150 --> 00:07:41.280 I am ready to speak 00:07:41.637 --> 00:07:42.677 Or do we go within? 00:07:42.906 --> 00:07:43.856 Speak before all 00:07:44.077 --> 00:07:44.857 The sorrow I endured 00:07:44.857 --> 00:07:45.917 is less for my own life 00:07:46.469 --> 00:07:47.259 than these 00:07:48.206 --> 00:07:49.646 Then, with your leave, 00:07:50.314 --> 00:07:51.024 I speak 00:07:52.553 --> 00:07:54.963 Our lord Apollo 00:07:55.115 --> 00:07:56.265 Bids us drive out 00:07:56.265 --> 00:07:57.545 the drive out the defiling thing 00:07:57.587 --> 00:07:59.047 that has been cherished in these lands 00:07:59.579 --> 00:08:00.829 What defiling thing? 00:08:02.248 --> 00:08:03.648 King Laius was our king 00:08:03.649 --> 00:08:05.079 before you came to pilot us 00:08:05.137 --> 00:08:06.787 I know, but not from my own knowledge 00:08:06.787 --> 00:08:07.817 for I never saw him 00:08:07.848 --> 00:08:08.778 He was killed 00:08:09.129 --> 00:08:10.429 And the gods now bids us 00:08:10.549 --> 00:08:11.809 revenge on the murders 00:08:11.907 --> 00:08:12.737 whoever they be 00:08:13.936 --> 00:08:15.626 How shall we come upon their track 00:08:15.626 --> 00:08:16.866 after all these years? 00:08:18.983 --> 00:08:21.193 Did he meet his death in house or field?