Character Analysis
Similar to the Stranger, the Messenger serves a very specific purpose in Oedipus at Colonus. After Oedipus shuffles off to die, the audience doesn’t see what happens to him, so they need someone to tell them. The Messenger is like a town crier; he runs back to the Chorus to tell them (and the audience) just how Oedipus died. Spoiler alert: it involves a divine sinkhole.