How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #4
CHORUS. Alas!
Were you begotten with
Unseeing eyes? Miserable and
Long has your life been, as I would guess. (149-52)
The Chorus recognizes that Oedipus is blind, and they guess that if he were born blind he must have had a miserable life. They also slip a little indirect observation in, too; his life must have been “long.” It’s not just wrinkles and salt-and-pepper hair that gives Oedipus his elderly look; it’s also the suffering on his face that adds to his aged appearance.
Quote #5
ANTIGONE. Let step fit step,
Lean your old body forward,
Onto my loving hand. (199-201)
Antigone dedicates her life to supporting her father; literally. Her youthful body has to stand in for his, showing him where to step, holding up his weight. This is the picture of love, because old age is, for Oedipus at least, nothing but trouble.
Quote #6
OEDIPUS. [. . .] My body would not have the strength
To shuffle along, desolate, without someone to guide me.
Oedipus recognizes that Antigone is sort of his life force in his old age. He can’t really walk all that well, so he uses her strength, like an energy vampire, in order to get around. But is it really his physical strength that is lacking in the twilight years? Or is it more like his hope is running out and he needs her young attitude to protect him?