How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #4
ISMENE. Should your tomb suffer misfortune, it will bring a heavy burden for them.
[. . .]
For this reason they wish to place you near
Their land, but not so that you would hold sway over even yourself. (402-05)
Rules and more rules in ancient Greece, amirite? Ismene explains that Creon wants Oedipus to come back home to die because he’s afraid that if Oedipus’ tomb is disturbed, it’ll be on him for kicking him out in the first place. So to avoid any consequences for breaking the rules, he wants to get Oedipus buried right where he can see him.
Quote #5
OEDIPUS. This is how it is for me: I was driven away from my land
By my own seed. It is not possible for me
Ever to return again, since I am a patricide. (599-601)
Oedipus recognizes that, even though his crime was unintentional, he did indeed kill his father (that’s what a patricide is; someone who kills their father). Whether intentional or not, it’s definitely against the rules, so he must never go back home or he could cause the gods to destroy his home.
Quote #6
OEDIPUS. Do you have my daughter?
CREON. Yes, and I will have this one here in no long time!
OEDIPUS. Oh strangers, what will you do? Will you betray me
And not drive out the impious one from this land? (821-24)
Oedipus calls Creon “impious” which basically means that he doesn’t respect the gods. Creon has kidnapped Ismene and is in the process of kidnapping Antigone, going against the king of Athens…which is kind of like going against the gods. Law is all tied up with religious rules in this society.