How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #1
OEDIPUS. Child of a blind old man, Antigone, to what
Lands have we come, or to the city of which men?
Who will today receive with scanty gifts
The wanderer Oedipus? (1-4)
In this epic introductory speech, Oedipus uses a bunch of nicknames to get everyone up to speed with what’s going on. He calls himself the “wanderer Oedipus” because he’s exiled from his home city of Thebes. He’s not allowed to go home, so his lot in life is to wander from town to town. Who says you can't go home? Lots of people (and Gods), in Oedipus' case.
Quote #2
STRANGER. Stay here, just where you appeared, until I
Go to tell these things to commoners of this place,
Not of the town. For these will judge
Whether you ought to remain or go away again. (77-80)
Here we go. Poor Oedipus barely arrives to the new city when the stranger figures out who he is and tells him there’s a good chance that he will be run out of town very soon. This is because Oedipus has committed a big no-no and his curse will affect anyone who’s near him. At least that’s the fear.
Quote #3
CHORUS. A wanderer,
Some wanderer, is the elder,
Not a native of this land. For otherwise he would never
Go to the inviolable grove
Of the indomitable Maidens [. . .]. (123-27)
The Chorus is the voice of Athens; they recognize immediately that Oedipus must not be from around here because of the way he acts. He has entered a sacred grove, where no one is allowed to trespass, so they assume he’s an out-of-towner. Anyone who's anyone from Athens wouldn't be caught dead—or alive—in the grove.