Listen to the chorus in Sophocles' Oedipus the King decrying human disregard of the gods
In this excerpt from Sophocles' tragedy Oedipus the King, learn about the...
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Transcript
CHORUS: The man who goes his overbearing way in word and action, who fears no justice, honors no temples of the gods.
CHORUS [in unison]: May an evil destiny seize him and punish his ill-starred pride.
CHORUS: The man who makes profit by injustice, who acts without reverence and lay his hands on the untouchable and madness.
CHORUS [in unison]: May an evil destiny seize him and punish his ill-starred pride.
CHORUS: How shall such a man defend himself against god's perils if such thieves as these are honored and rewarded?
CHORUS: Why should we join the sacred dance and worship?
CHORUS: I shall go no more in reverence to Delphi, the holy center of the earth, nor to any temple in the world.
CHORUS [in unison]: Unless these prophesies come true, for all men to point at them in wonder.
CHORUS: Oh Zeus, king of heaven--if you deserve this name--ruler of all, do not let your everlasting power be deceived.
CHORUS [in unison]: Do not forget the old prophecies about Laius are dying. Men reject them now. Apollo is stripped of honor everywhere. The gods are defeated.
CHORUS [in unison]: May an evil destiny seize him and punish his ill-starred pride.
CHORUS: The man who makes profit by injustice, who acts without reverence and lay his hands on the untouchable and madness.
CHORUS [in unison]: May an evil destiny seize him and punish his ill-starred pride.
CHORUS: How shall such a man defend himself against god's perils if such thieves as these are honored and rewarded?
CHORUS: Why should we join the sacred dance and worship?
CHORUS: I shall go no more in reverence to Delphi, the holy center of the earth, nor to any temple in the world.
CHORUS [in unison]: Unless these prophesies come true, for all men to point at them in wonder.
CHORUS: Oh Zeus, king of heaven--if you deserve this name--ruler of all, do not let your everlasting power be deceived.
CHORUS [in unison]: Do not forget the old prophecies about Laius are dying. Men reject them now. Apollo is stripped of honor everywhere. The gods are defeated.