How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #4
And the younger one, inferior in age,
Deprives the one before, Polyneices, of the throne
And has driven him from the land of his fathers. (374-76)
Ismene repeats her brothers’ birth order excessively, which probably means it's important. Eteocles is not only younger, but also inferior in age (read: immature). Polyneices is “the one before,” meaning older. She’s probably emphasizing this birth order because the younger one is on the throne, which is not the usual chain of command.
Quote #5
OEDIPUS. Did some one of my sons hear these things?
ISMENE. Both, equally, and they know it well.
OEDIPUS. And once they heard these things, did they—the most evil of men!
--Place the tyranny before longing for me?
ISMENE. It pains me to hear these things, but nevertheless I must bear them. (416-20)
Oedipus wants to know whether or not his sons have heard about his misfortune, and unfortunately they do know and just don’t seem to care. When he asks whether they “place the tyranny before longing for me” he is referring to the throne. Tyranny is power, and the boys have valued power over their love for their father.
Quote #6
OEDIPUS. Then may the gods never quench
The fated strife! May the end
Of this battle between the two—which they
Grasp with raised spears—lie with me! (421-24)
Oedipus is so hurt by his sons’ neglect that he decides to curse them (keep that in mind next time you ignore your parents). Their battle over power will be their undoing; Oedipus has decided that since they’re so obsessed with power that it should consume them completely, causing their deaths.