What are the three stories told by the Chorus in Ode 4 in Antigone?

Answer 1

Sophocles wrote Antigone in 441BC - the same year in which he was elected general - and probably wrote Oedipus the King in about 425 BC (the plague at the beginning would have reminded the Athenians of the terrible plague which they had endured in 431BC - and which had killed their leader Pericles, Sophocles' friend).


Thus, although Antigone tells some of the story of "what happened next" it was not actually intended to be a sequel. You'll see, for example, that Creon in Antigone is a very different character from Creon in Oedipus.



What happened after the story in Oedipus the King?
First, Oedipus was thrown out of Thebes - but his daughter Antigone went with him to help and guide him. (This is the subject of Sophocles' third play - Oedipus at Colonus - which he wrote at the end of his life when he was over 90 in 401BC). Oedipus was forced to keep on travelling, because nowhere wanted to be polluted by having his body buried in their soil. There is another oracle - Oedipus believes he must die at a place called Colonus - in Athenian territory. The locals want to get rid of him, but he refuses to budge, and appeals to the king of Athens, Theseus. Theseus promises to help him and allow his body to be buried at Colonus - where his spirit will protect Athens.


At this point Oedipus' other daughter - Ismene - arrives with terrible news. Oedipus' two sons, Eteocles and Polynices have quarrelled over who is to rule Thebes, and Polynices has left home - to find help and support for his claim to the throne. He soon arrives, and wants Oedipus' blessing - but Oedipus is appalled at their behaviour and curses them both - a curse that they should kill each other. There is a mighty thunderstorm, and Oedipus' death follows quickly.


Oedipus' daughters returned to Thebes, where Eteocles now ruled alone. Polynices eventually reached Argos, where he was taken pity on by the king, Adrastus. Adrastus not only gave him his daughter in marriage, but also promised to restore him to the throne of Thebes. Seven armies led by seven heroes (including Adrastus and Polynices) attacked the seven gates of Thebes. Thebes under Eteocles and his uncle Creon resist - there is stalemate. To settle the quarrel, it is decided that seven Argive champions should face seven Theban champions in single combat at each of the seven gates. The Thebans are successful - but tragedy spoils the victory. Only one Theban champion died - and that was Eteocles who had faced his brother Polynices. Each had killed the other in fulfilment of their father's curse.


Creon is now undisputed king of Thebes ... and this is where the play Antigone begins.