The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-01-10

NouNEr-su1LY IN "GD1PUs THE KING"
always know everything that Is going on and
why It is going on. and everything goes on
with measure and sobriety Of means and with
the utmost intensity OF effect.
What opening scene can be more impressive
than that where the company OF old men and
OF children. led by the high priest Of Zeus. are
revealed kneeling in front Of the palace and
holding olive branches in their hands2 A plague
is ravaging Thebes-a plague that emanates
from the wrath OF the gods. The people ask
Edipus to.deliver them from this evil-Edipus.
who In the past delivered them from the
scourge of the Sphinx. Then Gdipus appears
on the steps Of his palace. like god coming
down from his temple. holding in noble attitude
the staff OF royalty. He questions the high
priest and replies to him with magnsnimous
compassion. His every word betrays the lofti-
ness OF his sentiments and the consciousness
of perfect eQuanimity and OF faultless vigil
lance. He has done all within his power in
sending Creon to consult the oracle at the
Temple Of Delphi. The suppliants. speaking
by the voice Of the priest. have only words Of
praise and of prayer for Edipus. 20 best Of
men. lift up this downcast city and take care
Of thy gloryl To-day be equal to thyself: for
It is thee whom the city calls its savior. re-
membering thy past actions"
Then. before plunging him into an abyss Of
disaster. Sophocles shows us Edipus in his
glory and his wisdom. the good genius Of
Thebes and the benefactor OF the people whose
liberator he has been. Then comes the scene
OF the return Of Creon and the message OF the
oracle: the plague will rage at Thebes so long
as the city keeps within its walls the murderer
of Laios. who has remained unknown and un-
punished. Hero begins the tragic interest, In
oho md nj {rop 10 tpt
which contains tho germ Of o most black and
terrific storm. Gdipus summons the assem-
bled people to seek out and denounce the
assassin. and In anticipation OF his discovery
he proscribeS him. banishes him from
tho temples and affairs. devotes him to
the isolation OF those who have been guilty
OF sccrilege. Edpus curses himself in case
he should open his house to the unknown
murderer. declaring himself responsible
for tho vengeance OF LaHos whose throne he
occupies and whose widow he has married.
will avenge LaIos as II he had been my own
father" repeats Edipus. rs II prompted by the
tragic irony OF fate What thrilling scene is
this, as Mounet-Sully renders it with his rich
voice and splendid dction! What q scene OF
terror! and how much moro terrible 1t must
have seemed to the Greeks. with their strong
faith In Imprecations! Saint-Victor compared
this self Standardization OF Gdipus to
Pore Ia the middle ages communicating
hlmseR unawares In formidable bull. the
termsof which turned against himself
Impatient to ascertain the truth. Edipus
sends for Tireslas. the fabulous old man than
whom Greek antiquity counted none more
venerable: Tresas. the blind seer who knew
the secrets OF Adam and the enlgmas o. Eve:
the pontiff and prophet OF Thebes. the only
shade to whom Persephone granted thought
and Intelligence. Pressed by Tdipus. and
finally insulted and menaced by him. Tlresias
tells him. Thou nrt the man" Then. scene
by scene, the crime is revealed and tho crimi-
nal confounded. though at eac., step tho certi-
tude Is incomplete until the shepherd appears.
and. confronted with the messenger from
Cprinth. reveals the fact that Hdipus was a
child abandoned by order OF Lalos. This rev.
slatton Is tho first flash OF lightning which
will soon iilumine and devour every
thing. but for tho moment it enlghtens only
Jocasta. The Queen. admirably played hy tho
beautiful Mile. Nalck. sees herself in all the
horror OF her situation. draws her tunic over
hor polluted head. and rushes into tho palace.
crying. "Alasl Wretched man! Alas! This
IL all / can say to thee. and say 1t to thee for
tho last time"
This sudden flight OF Jocasta moves US more
deeply than would any development OF de-
spsir. II is scenic invention ofincomparable
puissance.
The Interpretation Of tho oracle is now clear
EdIpus has killed. his father. Jocasta is his
mother. Qidpus. covering his face with his
garment, utters u heart-rending cry and dis
appears within tho palace. The expiation Is
related by u messenger. Jocasta has hanged
herself. Gdipus has torn out his own eyes
with ono OF tho gold buckles OF Jocasta's robe.
Then tho wretchnd d:lipus appears. his facc
dripping with hIack blood. his eyes mere red