Exile and Isolation: Transformation in Oedipus at Colonus
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Date
2025-12
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Independent University, Bangladesh
Abstract
In the second play of the trilogy, Oedipus the King, Oedipus, solves the riddle of the Sphinx, saves
Thebes and becomes its king. Proud and nonchalant, he openly criticized the person who is the
cause of pollution and the long aridity in Thebes. He also announces a harsh punishment by saying,
“Drive him out, each of you, from every home. He is the plague, the heart of our corruption” (275),
without the knowledge of him being the culprit. He also promises to bring justice to Laius’ murder,
saying, “So, I will fight for him as if he were my father” (301), being unaware that Laius is his
father. This highlights the tragic irony of his situation.
Description
This thesis is submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English Literature (EL), 2025.
Keywords
Greek Tragedy, Exile in Literature, Identity Transformation, Psychological Criticism, Edward Said’s Exile Theory