Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus; Exile

It's the weekend again and I'm here typing diligently... or at least I'm slowly getting it done. It's been a rather uneventful week, just the normal day to day stuff and work. We were going to go on a bush walk today but the weather has been awful.

The Story
Oedipus at Colonus continues where Oedipus the King left off. Oedipus has been exiled from Thebes and is now a bedraggled beggar being led by the hand by his daughter, Antigone. A local tells them on his way past that they are on the sacred ground of the furies. Oedipus upon hearing this, calls the locals to go and get the King of Athens nearby, as Oedipus believes this is where he is prophesied to die. Before the King arrives, Oedipus' other daughter Ismene arrives with a message from his son's asking him to return and bless them, as they are at war with each other over the throne. Oedipus sides with neither of his sons, instead contrasting them with his faithful daughters. Oedipus throws himself on the mercy of the men of Colonus, the town beside which the grove to the furies lies.  The King of Athens arrives and pledges Oedipus his support and grants him citizenship in Athens so that he can be buried as a Athenian. Creon arrives and tries to convince Oedipus to come home to Thebes but  Oedipus does not trust the crafty man and refuses. Then Oedipus' son Polynices arrives and tries to reconcile with his father, knowing that there is a prophecy that the fight will go to whatever brother has his fathers blessing. Knowing this Oedipus refuses to be reconciled and prophesies that the brothers will kill each other in the upcoming fight. Oedipus hears great clashes of thunder and states that his death is at hand and retreats into the grove with the King of Athens, witnessing his final breath.

Reflections
This really is an sequel, there isn't really much of a stand alone plot. You really need to have seen (or read) what goes before it to have an idea of who the players are. Oedipus, acting almost as judge over his son at first, seems a bit hypocritical,considering Oedipus' history but once he starts contrasting them to his daughters you see that his standard is consistent. The King of Athens' part in all this is interesting as he is the one player acting towards the good of Oedipus: first with sheltering him and finally with witnessing his death and, we assume, burial rights.

Comparisons
This is, technically, a tragedy, with Oedipus dying at the end but his death is a lot more contemplative than we see in other tragedies. Even if we take Oedipus the King for example, it ends with dramatic suicides and scratching your eyes out level of grief, or Antigone that ends with a series of deaths and suicides.

Have you read Oedipus at Colonus? If so what did you think of it?

Want to read Oedipus at Colonus but haven't? Hopefully this inspires you to take the time to do so.
Get a copy of Oedipus at Colonus.