Oedipus and the Justification of the Plague
             "The plague spreads everywhere, a stain seeping through our streets, our fields, our houses...it can't be put out, it can't be stopped (745.)" Oedipus the King is looked upon as the savior by the loyal Thebans during the distressful time of a roaring plague. Oedipus feels the pain of his people and declares, "My whole being wails and breaks for this city, for myself, for all of you (746.)" His hopes lie in his brother's return from Delphi, where he went to question the Oracle for answers on the plagues derivation. Kreon returns with news for the king, "A man must be banished. Banished or killed...the plague is blood, blood breaking over Thebes (747.)" Oedipus seems confused and demands to know who the man is and what basis his capture and banishment stand upon. Kreon quickly explains an old crime to the former King Laios went unsolved and his murderer(s) is the only remedy for this "deadly black stain spreading everywhere, poisoning the earth (747.)"
             Ironically, King Laios was on his way to Delphi on his last days at the throne. With no witnesses but one to the deadly crime, Oedipus must solve a jigsaw puzzle with many missing pieces to save his people from the plague. Oedipus, like the reader, is swayed to perceive the killer may have acted with company and for no reason would Oedipus be in the line up of possible slayers. The chorus seems to detail the realization of the coming prophecy when it entails, "is it the sudden doom of grief or the old curse the darkness looming in the turning season (749.)" Frightened, frustrated, and possibly feeling very ineffective Oedipus turns his feelings to rage. He curses the killer and father of the plague with harsh words, "Nothing. My word for him is nothing ...no prayers with him...let him have no home, nothing...drive him out, let him die...he is our disease (752.
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