Oedipus the King; Act 1 Finals Project
Storyboard Text
- My children, you who live in the heart of this city, living sons of ancient Cadmus, why have you come to these sacred alters? Why do you bring garlands and kneel in supplication to the gods? The city laced with the breath of incense. The air quivers with lamentation and with prayer. My children, I did not want to hear your desires from messengers. Therefore I have come in person to hear you speak-I, Oedipus your king.
- You there, since you are the eldest, speak on their behalf. Tell me what is troubling you. Do you come in fear? Do you seek a blessing from the gods ? Tell me. Never doubt that I will help you in every way I can. I am moved and touched to find you suppliant here.
- ...and at Apollo's temple where the god speaks in the glowing embers of his fire. Your eyes see the truth: Thebes is drowning in a deadly sea, is sinking beneath the waves of death. There is a blight that eats the budding fruits of the earth. Our cattle die. Women give birth to stillborn children. A deadly plague consumes our city, strikes likes bolts of lightning, burns our flesh, and ravages the house of Cadmus. My lord, we are plunged into darkness...
- Oedipus, great king of Thebes! You see before you clinging to the alter's steps men of all ages. Here are boys too young to be alone. Here are priests weighed down with time, priests of Zeus-as am I. Here are young men as yet unmarried. And thousands more, olive wreaths in their hair, throng the public squares. They huddle before the two shrines of Athena...
- ...Death alone grows fat upon our agony. We have come to you to offer our prayers. We know you are no god. But of all men you are the most wise in the ways of god. You saved us from the Sphinx, who sang her doom from the stone of her breast... When no men throng the streets, the city walls are nothing and our proud ships mere empty shells.
- ... I have sent Creon, son of Menoseceus, brother of the queen, to Deplhi. There at Apollo's oracle he will learn, if he can, what I must do or promise to do to save the city... But whenever he returns I will do what the god orders.
- Your promise is given in good time. They say that Creon is here
- Oh lord Apollo, may his news shine as bright as the hope on his face.
- Oh brother, Prince of Thebes, what answers do you bring us from Apollo?
- A powerful answer. Our deep agonies will be healed if they are treated right.
- What did the oracle say? Your words are ambiguous. I still hover between hope and fear.
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