ソポクレス『コロノスのオイディプス』465-492

Abstract

In Sophocles' Oedipus Coloneus, the Chorus tells Oedipus to make peace with Eumenides at Colonus by performing the rite of purification. (465-92) This part has been interpreted only within the first epeisodion, but it affects the whole play. Being hieros not only as a supplicant, but also as a receiver of Apollon's oracle, Oedipus essentially belongs to a sanctuary. Though he does not want to pollute the place, he actually does pollute it and follows the warning of the chorus in retreating from there. We must note that when he enters the sanctuary, he is unaware that this is a sanctuary and that he himself is a supplicant. The play begins with "To what region have we come?" It is not until he hears that this is the sanctuary belonging to Eumenides that he realizes he is a supplicant.(44) Though he qualifies himself as a supplicant, the goddesses do not recognize him as one, because the disposition of the supplicant is most important in supplication. He must first purify the pollution he has brought to the sanctuary, so that he can be acknowledged as a supplicant and pray. Since the purification is concerned with Oedipus, he ought to perform the rite himself. However, it is performed by Is mene instead of Oedipus. She can be his proxy because she has 'good will' (EUVOUS 499) from the goddesses. Then, out attention turns from the form of the rite to the heart of the prayer. Despite the change in prayers, which was greatest change in the rite, food will maintains the validity of the purification because the outer dimension must correspond to the inner dimension in purification and prayer. The importance of good will foreshadows the supplications of Creon and Polyneices to Oedipus. In both cases, their supplications are in vain because of the lack of good will. We may see the play as constructed in the contrast between a supplication which is to be granted and that which is not. The prayer to accept Oedipus at Coronus is repeatedly expressed in combination with his heroization. Heroes do not equal the gods, since they are bound fast to where their graves are. Their efficacy does not reach beyond the limits of their home. Oedipus must be accepted unclear in order to become a Hero and put an effective curse on Creon and Polyneices. It is the purification and prayer that meets this requisite for heroization. We may regard the kinship between Oedipus and Eumenides as one of the motives of the play. It results from their common character. Their influence is limited to a single locality. The goddesses give blessing as Eumenides lays a curse as Erinyes; Oedipus provides benefits for his host and ruins those who drive him away. It is necessary for Oedipus to restore his relationship with Eumenides in order to make their connection substantial. The rite of purification establishes the ground for that motif.