***
JOCASTA
A preface to Sophocles' OEDIPUS REX
an original script for
A FILM
or
THREE PART TELEVISION SERIES
by
Jan Haag
Copyright © 2009 through 2015 Jan Haag
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Registered WGA
janhaag.com
jjhaag@gmail.com
EPIGRAPH
Ismene, the Scribe.
Having found no written history of Queen Jocasta, I have reconstructed it from remembrances, family tales, and her notes.
Ismene the Virgin Scribe,
descendant of
JOCASTA, the Queen.
INTRODUCTORY NOTES
CAST
(ca. 800 B.C.)
THIS IS NOT AN HISTORIC FILM. IT IS A MYTH, A DREAM, ANCIENT AND MODERN.
IT BEARS A QUALITY OF STARK REALITY AS WELL AS A DREAM STRANGENESS. THE
SETTINGS AND COSTUMES SUGGEST ANTIQUITY, BUT MUST NOT BE BOUND BY IT.
ANACHRONISMS ARE FREELY EMPLOYED. JOCASTA TAKES PLACE IN
THE THEBES OF ANCIENT GREECE, BUT COULD JUST AS WELL TAKE PLACE IN THE
THEBES OF ANCIENT EGYPT, IN SOPHOCLES TIME, IN FREUDS TIME --
OR IN OUR OWN.
THE PALACE OF THEBES FACES
JUST SOUTH OF WEST WITH THE MAIN CONCENTRATION OF THE CITY BEFORE IT. IT IS
BUILT OF ROUGHHEWN STONE: HUGE, CRUDE, BARBARIC. IT GIVES THE IMPRESSION OF
AN ENORMOUS STONE CAGE, BUT IS NEITHER SQUARE NOR SYMMETRICAL. IT APPEARS
TO HAVE WEATHERED CENTURIES -- PARTS OF IT ARE RUINED AND HAVE NEVER BEEN
RESTORED. A CONTINUOUS BALCONY ENCIRCLES IT AT THE LEVEL OF THE SECOND
FLOOR. ALL THE WALLS, FLOORS, STAIRWAYS ARE OF STONE. THE CENTRAL HALL, THE
FULL HEIGHT OF THE BUILDING, AND THE HALL TO THE THRONE ROOM ARE WIDE, ALL
OTHERS ARE NARROW AND DARK. EXCEPT IN A FEW ROOMS, THE ATMOSPHERE, EVEN AT
MIDDAY, IS SHADOWED, DARK, COLD. ALL THE ROOMS OF THE PALACE, WITH THE
EXCEPTION OF OEDIPUS ROOMS (FORMERLY CREONS) ARE FURNISHED WITH
EXTREME SIMPLICITY.
JOCASTAS APARTMENT IN THE PALACE IS COMPOSED OF THREE ROOMS.
THE FIRST IS A VERY LARGE FORMAL AUDIENCE CHAMBER; THE SECOND, A PRIVATE
SITTING/RECEPTION ROOM; AND THE THIRD IS HER BEDROOM. BESIDE HER BED IS A
CRADLE. IT IS DRAPED IN BLACK AND SERVES AS A SHRINE.
THE EMERALD CROWN IS WROUGHT OF GOLD SERPENTS WHICH WRITHE UP AND OUT
FROM A CIRCLE. EMERALDS ARE SUSPENDED BY LINKS FROM THEIR MOUTHS. WITH THE
MOVEMENT OF THE HEAD, THE EMERALDS MOVE, CATCHING AND REFLECTING THE LIGHT.
JOCASTA, 35, Queen of Thebes
HAEMON, 26, Jocastas Nephew, Creons son
APHRON, 45, Jocastas Maid
KUPIA, 13, Aphrons Daughter
CREON, 44, Jocastas Brother
TEIRESIAS, ancient, a Seer
BOY, 12, Teiresias Guide
OEDIPUS, 19, the hero
ACMON, 42, Palace Guard, Officer
CAPTAIN TYRUS, 50, Queens Guard, Officer
POLYPHONTES, 39, Queens Guard, soldier
LORD DYMAS, 48, friend of the Queen
BRANCHUS, 67, friend of Creon
STABLE MANAGER, 54
PAGE, 9
SHEPHERD, 60
CAPTAIN ASTERIUS, 51, prison guard
THE QUEENS GUARDS uniformed in gold
THE PALACE GUARDS uniformed in red
CREONS GUARDS uniformed in dark blue
SOLDIERS uniformed in red and blue
PEOPLE OF THEBES
NOBLES OF THEBES
SERVANTS
PRIESTS
THE SPHINX
A CAT
HORSES: Jocastas ABRAXAS, Haemons
NONIOS,
Acmons
PYROIA
JOCASTA
PART I
****
NIGHT: A FEW SMALL TORCHES LIGHT THE LARGE, IRREGULAR MAIN SQUARE OF THEBES.
WHITEWASHED HOUSES CROWD AROUND THE SQUARE. NARROW STREETS RUN BETWEEN THEM.
THE WIDE MAIN ROAD LEADS FROM THE SQUARE TO THE WEST GATE. IN THE SHADOWS
NEAR THE HOUSES GROUPS OF PEOPLE, MOSTLY WOMEN, STAND SILENTLY.
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SQUARE IS A LARGE FUNERAL PYRE, ITS FUEL COMPOSED
OF DRESSED WOOD: CEILING BEAMS, DOOR POSTS, FURNITURE, ETC. CORPSES LIE
ON THE PYRE. BESIDE IT STANDS A PRIEST. AT HIS FEET, ON A CRUDE
LITTER, LIES ANOTHER CORPSE. AS THE PRIEST LIFTS BACK THE CLOTH,
WE SEE THE DEAD MANS EMACIATED FACE. HE DIED OF STARVATION. THE
PRIEST SPRINKLES WATER OVER THE BODY INTONING THE PRAYER FOR THE
DEAD. TWO MEN GENTLY LIFT THE BODY AND PLACE IT ON THE PYRE.
ANOTHER MAN STEPS FORWARD TO IGNITE THE PYRE. HEARING A
DISTURBANCE, HE TURNS. THE BODY OF A CHILD IS BROUGHT IN ON A LITTER.
THE MOTHER, CARRYING A JUG OF MILK, FOLLOWS, MOURNING. THE BODY
IS LOWERED. THE MOTHER KNEELS. THE PRIEST KNEELS BESIDE
HER AND LIFTS BACK THE CLOTH. THE CHILD IS A BOY ABOUT SIX YEARS
OLD. THE MOTHER, TOUCHING HER DEAD CHILD, BEGINS, SILENTLY, TO
CRY.
MOTHER: He wouldnt drink the milk. Give it to
someone.
THE PRIEST TAKES THE JUG OF MILK, HOLDS IT UP. FROM THE SIDE OF THE
SQUARE, A WOMAN STEPS FORWARD. SHE KISSES BOTH THE
PRIESTS AND MOTHERS HANDS, THEN HURRIES AWAY. THE
PRIEST BEGINS AGAIN THE PRAYERS FOR THE DEAD. WE MOVE AMONG THE
PEOPLE, STUDYING THEIR FACES. TEIRESIAS, STANDS NEAR THE PYRE
LEANING ON A STAFF. HIS OTHER HAND RESTS ON THE SHOULDER OF A BOY.
THE CHILDS BODY IS PLACED ON THE PYRE LIT BY A TORCH, THE PYRE FLAMES
UP QUICKLY. TEIRESIAS TAKES A STEP BACKWARD FROM THE HEAT. THE
MOTHER SOBS.
*
THE TINY FLAMES OF ANOTHER FIRE GLOW BENEATH TWO BOWLS OF MILK WARMING
OVER A BRAZIER. A HAND DIPS A DECORATED STICK INTO A JAR. THE HAND,
APHRONS, LIFTS THE STICK LOADED WITH HONEY AND PUTS IT IN ONE
OF THE BOWLS OF MILK.
JOCASTAS VOICE: Give it to me, Aphron. Ill
stir the
honey in myself.
APHRON HANDS JOCASTA THE BOWL JOCASTA, READING A
PAPYRUS SCROLL, RECLINES ON A CUSHIONED BENCH NEAR THE OPEN DOORS
THAT LEAD TO THE BALCONY. A CAT SITS AT HER FEET. HAEMON STANDS AT
THE DOORS LOOKING OUT. BEYOND HIM CAN BE SEEN THE LIGHT FROM THE FUNERAL
PYRE. HAEMON TURNS AS APHRON HANDS HIM THE OTHER BOWL.
APHRON: Its Hymetus honey.
HAEMON: AMUSED. Thank you Aphrodite. HE
LIFTS
HIS BOWL TOASTING BOTH JOCASTA AND APHRON. The nectar of the Gods.
APHRON, TAKING THE SERVING TRAY, EXITS.
JOCASTA: You dont have to drink it. It helps me
sleep.
AS SHE LICKS THE HONEY FROM THE STICK, AN INSECT BUZZES AROUND HER
FACE. SHE BRUSHES IT AWAY.
JOCASTA: Close the doors, Haemon.
HAEMON: Youll be too warm.
JOCASTA: The world smells of death. SHE PUTS
ASIDE THE
SCROLL SHE HAS BEEN READING. The Phoenicians were, perhaps, more
given to war than even your father -- and on the high seas. Were the
Egyptians as intent on killing. killing, killing? Was their Sphinx a
cannibal like ours?
Youd think there would be better things to write about than
killing. Cadmus, I believe, brought us the alphabet to write poetry.
HAEMON: Someone will solve the riddle.
JOCASTA: They tear down houses to burn the dead.
HAEMON GIVES HER A QUESTIONING LOOK.
JOCASTA: Yes. I went out last night
HAEMON: Its not safe.
JOCASTA: Is there nothing more for Thebans than
starvation? --
carrion birds? -- emptiness?
HAEMON: You used to give me honey and milk when I was
young, when I
had a fever.
JOCASTA SETS HER BOWL ON A TABLE, BESIDE SEVERAL SCROLLS, STEPS
ONTO THE BALCONY AND STANDS FOR A LONG TIME STARING INTO THE NIGHT.
THEN, WITH FORCED GAIETY, AS SHE REENTERS:
JOCASTA: Youd think this was the only land that
ever had a
Sphinx. Theyve been known before... SHE INDICATES THE
SCROLLS ...and worshipped. Well ride out tomorrow, take her
some honey.
HAEMON: Please, Jocasta.
JOCASTA: There are six other gates to Thebes. Let her
sit!
HAEMON: Someone will answer the riddle.
JOCASTA: And Creon will invent a new monster. We must
get rid of
the need to fear monsters. Is that the answer?
SOUNDING OVER AND AFTER HER LAST WORDS WE HEAR TRUMPETS FROM AN INNER
COURTYARD). JOCASTA IS STARTLED.
HAEMON: Father is drilling the soldiers.
JOCASTA: Why?
HAEMON: He's planning something for tomorrow.
JOCASTA: Is he going to send an army against the creature?
Each
brave soldier can bring back a feather. Perhaps she'll have a riddle for
each: "Oh good soldier, you who would triumph for Creon...
SHE INTERRUPTS HERSELF, HER TONE CHANGES. SOFTLY:
Tomorrow?...is the anniversary of my son's death.
HAEMON: He doesn't remember that.
JOCASTA: He must. I ordered mourning for the
court.
HAEMON: It has been forbidden.
JOCASTA CRIES OUT; HAEMON TRIES GENTLY TO CALM HER.
JOCASTA: I can't even have that, Haemon. Your father is
cruel, my
brother is cruel.
SHE MOVES TO THE BALCONY DOORS AGAIN, THERE IS NOW
ONLY A FAINT GLOW
FROM THE PYRE.
JOCASTA: Twenty years, twenty years of death. Where is
the
moon?
HAEMON: COMING TO STAND BEHIND HER. It rises
very late, near morning. You'll see it tomorrow with the sun.
JOCASTA: What is he planning?
HAEMON: I dont know.
JOCASTA MOVES TOWARD THE BEDROOM. HAEMON FOLLOWS HER.
JOCASTA: There is nothing else to think of in this place,
but
the
Sphinx and death -- and Creon. Each day I hear Kupia singing. Aphron
brings me fruit. And the world grows colder and colder. He loved me
once, Haemon, my brother loved me once. If the Sphinx were my minion,
Id have her peck out his heart.
HAEMON: You must sleep.
JOCASTA: SITTING AT HER DRESSING TABLE. Yes,
Ill sleep.
HAEMON: Someone will solve the riddle.
JOCASTA: He will be Creons slave.
HAEMON: A king will not be Creons slave.
THEIR IMAGES ARE REFLECTED IN THE DRESSING TABLE MIRROR. HAEMON
KISSES JOCASTA ON THE FOREHEAD, THEN LEAVES. JOCASTA SITS
ALONE LOOKING DOWN INTO A ROUND HAND MIRROR. TEARS FALL FROM HER OPEN,
STARING EYES ONTO THE MIRROR; THEY GATHER AND OBSCURE HER IMAGE.
*
SUDDENLY, SUCH BRIGHTNESS -- AS IF SUNLIGHT WERE FLASHING ON A MIRROR.
WE ARE LOOKING DOWN AT A LANDSCAPE OF SAND GLARING IN THE NOONDAY HEAT.
THE TITLES APPEAR, "JOCASTA" ETC., IN BLACK,
ELONGATED LETTERS, AS WE MOVE SLOWLY TOWARD THE SAND. AS THE TITLES
END, WE ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO SEE OBJECTS HALF BURIED IN THE SAND,
SUGGESTING THIS LAND WAS RECENTLY LIVED ON AND IS NOW ABANDONED.
A PANORAMIC VIEW ACROSS THE DESERT. IT IS MIDDAY. THE SUN BLAZES. THERE ARE
NO SHADOWS, THERE IS NO VEGETATION, NO WATER, NO MOVEMENT, ONLY DUST AND
DESOLATION. (IN THE 21ST CENTURY, WE CAN SAY IT LOOKS LIKE APOLLO XVII
FOOTAGE FROM THE MOON.) FROM HIGH UP CAN BE SEEN ROCKS, ABANDONED
FIELDS, THE REMAINS OF AN IRRIGATION SYSTEM, WHIRLING DUST. FAR IN THE
BACKGROUND ARE HIGH, ROCKY CLIFFS. THERE IS NO SOUND. AT A BREAK IN THE
CLIFFS. WE DISCERN TWO TINY FIGURES. ONE STANDS IN THE ROAD LOOKING
UP AT THE SECOND, WHO STANDS ON A JUTTING ROCK NEAR THE TOP OF THE CLIFFS.
WE DO NOT STOP TO EXAMINE THESE FIGURES. ON THE ROAD, RIDING TOWARD THE
CLIFFS, ARE FOUR HORSEMEN. ONE RIDES SLIGHTLY IN ADVANCE OF THE
OTHERS.
THERE IS A SINGLE SOUND. IT MIGHT BE THE SOUND OF A HUMAN VOICE. IT IS
FOLLOWED BY A VIOLENT SCREAM -- SOUNDING LIKE AN EXPLOSION. IT ECHOES AND
RE-ECHOES IN THE SILENT DESOLATION. IN THE SKY WE SEE A FIGURE IMPLODE,
LIKE A GUT-SHOT BIRD, TWISTING AND FALLING. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO TELL WHAT
IT IS, BUT, FOR A BIRD, IT IS HUGE. ITS GROTESQUE MASS HITS THE EARTH:
BROKEN BONES, BROKEN WINGS, BLOOD. A FEW FEATHERS DRIFT DOWN. NEAR THIS
DESTROYED BODY WE SEE A YOUNG MANS FEET, COVERED WITH SAND,
WEARING SANDALS. ONE FOOT IS SLIGHTLY TWISTED.
WHEN THE FOUR HORSEMEN HEAR THE SCREAM, THEY STOP AND REMAIN STILL,
LISTENING. A HURRIED CONSULTATION FOLLOWS. ONE HORSEMAN DISMOUNTS AND
STARTS, ON FOOT, BACK TOWARD THEBES. THE OTHER THREE, TAKING THE
FOURTH HORSE, CONTINUE TOWARD THE CLIFFS. THEY BREAK INTO A TROT.
WE STAY WITH THE MAN, RUNNING TOWARD THE CITY. BUT, EVEN MOVING
SLOWLY, WE SOON LEAVE HIM BEHIND. THE ROAD RUNS PAST A SPARSE WOODS OF
WITHERED TREES. WITHIN IT STANDS KUPIA, A YOUNG GIRL WITH BOW AND
ARROW, DRESSED FOR HUNTING. HAVING HEARD THE SCREAM, SHE IS LOOKING TOWARD
THE CLIFFS.
WE COME TO THE IRON GATES OF THE CITY. INSIDE THE GATES, GUARDS, IN
THE BLUE UNIFORMS OF CREONS SOLDIERS, ARE SETTLING DOWN TO SIT
OR LIE AGAINST THE PILLARS. IT HAS BEEN SOME TIME SINCE THEY OPENED THE
GATES TO LET THE FOUR HORSEMEN OUT. THEY HAVE NOT HEARD THE SCREAM.
WE CONTINUE ALONG THE MAIN ROAD THROUGH THEBES. THE SIDE STREETS, BETWEEN
THE WHITE-WASHED-GLARING-IN-THE-SUN HOUSES SEEM, AT FIRST, DESERTED. IN THE
SQUARE OF THE FUNERAL PYRE, WOMEN SWEEP AWAY THE ASHES. MEN
CARRY IN WOOD FOR A NEW PYRE. A FEW PEOPLE, ALL DRESSED IN BLACK, SIT
IN A DOORWAY, CROUCH AGAINST A WALL, ARE HALF HIDDEN BEHIND A WINDOW. AN
ATMOSPHERE OF FEAR AND APATHY PREVAILS.
*
BRIEFLY WE VISIT AN INTERIOR WHERE PEOPLE, TALKING IN HUSHED VOICES,
UTTER SUCH PHRASES AS:
My mother died yesterday. / Were all dead. / Down with the House of
Laius. / The Queen is mad. / The Sphinx obeys the mad Queen.
HAEMON STANDS NEAR A WINDOW, LISTENING. HE IS NOT DRESSED IN BLACK,
NOR DOES HE SHARE THE GENERAL MOOD OF RESTLESSNESS AND ANGER. HE MOVES ON,
PASSING SOME HALF-CLOSED SHUTTERS, WE AGAIN HEAR HUSHED VOICES, CATCH
OVERLAPPING PHRASES:
She will marry the hero. / The proclamation says nothing about marriage. /
The Queen offered her hand./ The proclamation offers gold. / Depose the Queen.
ALL TURN TO LOOK AT THE SPEAKER OF THE LAST PHRASE; SEVERAL NOD IN
SILENT AGREEMENT.
*
AGAIN OUTSIDE, WE GET OUR FIRST GLIMPSE OF THE PALACE.
IT SITS LIKE A STONE CAGE ON A SLIGHT RISE ABOVE THE CITY. EMERGING FROM
BETWEEN BUILDINGS, WE ENCOUNTER THE FIRST OF THE PALACE GATES. THEY ARE
OPEN. GUARDS STAND ON EITHER SIDE. TORN-DOWN BUILDINGS INDICATE
THESE GATES HAVE BEEN RECENTLY CONSTRUCTED. THE SECOND SET OF GATES, FLANKED
BY GUARDS, ALSO STANDS OPEN. THE THIRD SET OF GATES, BEYOND WHICH THE
STONE PALACE, DARK, CRUDE, AUSTERE, IS FULLY VISIBLE, IS BARRED AND HEAVILY
GUARDED. ALL GATE GUARDS ARE UNIFORMED IN CREONS DARK
BLUE. THEY ARE HOT, WEARY, APATHETIC; SOME LEAN ON THEIR SWORDS. A FEW
TOWNSPEOPLE STAND OUTSIDE THE GATES, THEY MIGHT BE STATUES OF THE
SAME STONE AS THE PALACE, DARK, STILL, IN ATTITUDES OF ENDLESS WAITING.
INSIDE THE PALACE COURTYARD GUARDS AND SOLDIERS STAND, STROLL,
WAIT. A VAST FLIGHT OF STEPS LEADS UP TO THE PALACE ITSELF. THE TEMPLE OF
APOLLO, TO ITS RIGHT, THOUGH STILL OF HEWN STONE, IS A LIGHTER, MORE
GRACEFUL BUILDING. A GUARD LOOKS UP TO TELL THE TIME BY THE SUN.
THOUGH YOUNG, HIS FACE IS DISILLUSIONED. HE LOWERS HIS EYES AND GLANCES
TOWARD THE PALACE AS THE GREAT DOORS SWING SLOWLY OPEN -- AS IF OF THEIR OWN
VOLITION.
AFTER THE SUNSHINE GLARE OF THE COURTYARD, THE INTERIOR OF THE PALACE SEEMS
OMINOUSLY DARK. THE CHANT OF A FUNERAL MARCH BEGINS SOFTLY AND INCREASES IN
VOLUME THROUGHOUT JOCASTAS LAMENT.
THE TWO SOLDIERS, WHO OPENED THE DOORS, WEAR THE GOLDEN UNIFORM OF
JOCASTAS GUARDS. MORE GUARDS LINE THE VAST SHADOWY
CORRIDOR. THEY HAVE BEEN LOUNGING AND, HAVING JUST COME TO ATTENTION, THEIR
BEARING DOES NOT SUCCEED IN BEING MILITARY. THEY HAVE THE UNCERTAIN LOOK OF
NOT KNOWING IF THEY SHOULD BE DOING WHAT THEY ARE DOING. ONE SUPPRESSES A
GIGGLE AS HE SEES THE ADVANCING FIGURE OF JOCASTA.
THE QUEEN CARRIES A ROUND MIRROR. SHE WALKS SLOWLY, CEREMONIOUSLY AS IF IN A
FUNERAL PROCESSION. APHRON FOLLOWS, WANTING TO STOP JOCASTA,
BUT IS AFRAID TO TOUCH HER. AS JOCASTA WALKS ONTO THE GREAT PORCH.
WE SEE HER THROUGH THE PILLARS AND INNER GATES, FROM BEHIND THE
TOWNSPEOPLE. THEY DO NOT MOVE, BUT CONTINUE TO STARE. THEY HAVE SEEN
THE MAD QUEEN BEFORE. ONE ASKS OF ANOTHER:
What's she holding?
THE MIRROR FLASHES IN THE SUN. THE MUSIC STOPS. JOCASTA STANDS STILL.
WHEN SHE SPEAKS, IT IS IN A QUASI-LITURGICAL TONE, THE VOICE OF A PRIESTESS
ADDRESSING A LARGE CROWD.
JOCASTA : People of Thebes, people of Thebes gather
together. The
sun is at the zenith, your Queen is in mourning. She wears the black of
the dead, she wears the black of those who mourn. Gather together, hear
my sorrow. I do not mourn the dead King, dead at the crossroads, dead of
corruption. I mourn for you. I mourn for your life, I mourn for my
life. I mourn for all who yet live in this land of the dead.
AT THE GATES THE SCANDALIZED TOWNSPEOPLE SHOUT CONTEMPTUOUS REMARKS.
THE GUARDS IN THE COURTYARD PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE
TOWNSPEOPLE AND VERY LITTLE TO JOCASTA. IN THE PALACE
ENTRANCE, HER GUARDS HAVE GATHERED TO WATCH HER -- FOR AMUSEMENT.
LOST IN HER OWN SORROW, HER OWN "MADNESS," JOCASTA DOES NOT
HEAR WHAT IS SAID. SHE SLOWLY ADVANCES DOWN AND ALONG THE STEPS, TOWARD THE
TEMPLE OF APOLLO. FROM TIME TO TIME, APHRON, FOLLOWING BEHIND
JOCASTA, TRIES TO INTERRUPT, BEGGING JOCASTA TO COME BACK
INTO THE PALACE.
JOCASTA: Our heads bowed in sorrow, our bodies bent in
pain, we
live with a curse upon the land. The Gods speak to certain men, and
those men have brought us to destruction. I do not mourn the dead King.
I mourn for you and for myself. I weep for the first murder. The dead
King killed the new born King, and I weep. I weep and I remember:
twenty years ago today my son was killed -- my innocent son, the Queen's
son, your Prince. He was killed. The Gods ordered it, said the King,
and the King obeyed. On the altar of Apollo I shall offer this
sacrifice...
WITH A SWIFT MOVEMENT, JOCASTA LIFTS THE MIRROR HIGH OVER HER
HEAD. IT CATCHES THE SUN.
TOWNSPEOPLE: SHOUT, SHOCKED AND ANGRY.
Blasphemy! / Madness! /The Queen is mad. /Thebes is cursed.
JOCASTA: ...a mirror in which Apollo may see himself,
may see the
likeness of the one whom he ordered for slaughter, may see and weep. My
son, had he lived, would rival Apollos beauty, incarnate the God,
usurp the worship of stone, make of God a man. I will make the villainous
idol look upon the one he has killed and cry for shame.
THROUGH HER VEIL, WE SEE TEARS ON JOCASTAS FACE.
FAR AWAY AND INDISTINCT, WE HEAR VOICES -- A CROWD IS GATHERING ON
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CITY. SHOUTS ARE HEARD ABOVE THE GENERAL NOISE:
The riddle is solved. / The Sphinx is dead. / The Sphinx is dead.
WE DO NOT UNDERSTAND THESE WORDS UNTIL THE PEOPLE AT THE PALACE
GATES BRGIN TO PICK THEM UP AND REPEAT THEM.
JOCASTA: Weep, Apollo, weep. Your tears will unGod you,
and
crack
this mirror wherein your image is. Let my people cry, "Apollo is
dead!" My innocent son was sacrificed. You, People of Thebes, are
sacrificed daily to appease the Gods. But, I, the Queen, decree that no more
blood shall flow in the name of any God. Apollo is dead.
*
THE MAN FROM THE DESERT, STILL RUNNING, PUSHES HIS WAY
THROUGH THE CROWD AT THE PALACE GATES. HE SHOUTS TO THE
GUARDS. THEY OPEN THE GATES, LET HIM IN, AND QUICKLY RE-CLOSE THE
GATES. THERE IS MUCH SHOUTING. AFTER A MOMENT, UNDERSTANDING THE NEWS THE
HORSEMAN HAS BROUGHT, THE CROWD BEGINS TO CHANT:
The riddle is solved. / The Sphinx is dead. / The Sphinx is dead.
THESE SHOUTS CONTINUE AND ARE RANDOMLY ECHOED BY SOLDIERS AS THE MAN
CROSSES THE COURTYARD AND ENTERS THE PALACE.
JOCASTA, HEARS THE WORDS. STARTLED, SHE DROPS THE MIRROR. IT
SHATTERS. SHE STARES AT THE FRAGMENTS., THEN LIFTS HER EYES TO LOOK OUT
ACROSS THE CITY. WE HEAR MORE AND MORE SHOUTING. PEOPLE ARE COMING
OUT OF THEIR HOUSES. MANY PEOPLE TURN AND RUN DOWN THE STREET -- AWAY
FROM THE PALACE TOWARD THE CITY GATES -- EAGER TO SEE THE RIDDLE
SOLVER.
SOLDIERS POUR FROM THE LOWER REGIONS OF THE PALACE
INTO THE COURTYARD. THE GUARDS, WHO STOOD AT THE GREAT OPEN DOORS,
RUN DOWN THE STEPS, PAST JOCASTA.
*
IN THE MIDDLE OF TOWN, PEOPLE, RUNNING IN FROM SIDE
STREETS, DO NOT KNOW WHICH WAY TO GO. IN THE CONFUSION AND EXCITEMENT, WE
HEAR CRIES AND QUESTIONS.
Who solved the riddle? / The Sphinx is dead. / Who killed her?
*
YOUNG OEDIPUS, TRAVEL-BESMIRCHED, WEARY, RIDES WITH
LORD ACMON, THROUGH THE OPEN CITY GATES. THE JOSTLING CROWD
SHOUTS AT THEM, AND AT EACH OTHER. ACMON IS KNOWN BY SOME OF THE
TOWNSPEOPLE. WE HEAR HIS NAME SHOUTED. MANY THINK IT IS HE WHO HAS
SOLVED THE RIDDLE.
OEDIPUS LOOKS ON THE SCENE, ASTONISHED, WARY, ALERT TO THE DANGERS OF
A FRENZIED CROWD. ACMON WATCHES SILENTLY, BUT WITH PLEASURE.
THE GATE GUARDS CLEAR SPACE AROUND ACMON AND OEDIPUS.
ACMON DISMOUNTS. THE GUARDS SALUTE. ACMON RETURNS THE
SALUTE. THE NOISE OF THE CROWD IS SUCH THAT WE CANNOT HEAR WHAT THEY
SAY. IN A MOMENT, ACMON TURNS AND RAISES HIS HAND TOWARD
OEDIPUS. AT THIS GESTURE, THE CROWD SURGES AROUND
OEDIPUS. WE HEAR SHOUTS FROM THE PEOPLE CALLING HIM:
Savior! / Hero! / Riddle solver! / Sphinx slayer. / King
THE GATE GUARDS, STAND BACK, SILENT, NOT PLEASED. ACMON
SHOUTS AN ORDER AND THE CROWD IS HELD BACK FROM OEDIPUS. IN
DISMOUNTING, OEDIPUS LOSES HIS BALANCE. ACMON CATCHES HIM,
STEADIES HIM. OEDIPUS SMILES AND SHRUGS TO APOLOGIZE FOR HIS
CLUMSINESS. HE LIMPS VERY SLIGHTLY WHEN HE WALKS.
ACMON: SHOUTING TO THE CROWD This man has
solved the Sphinxs riddle. The Sphinx is dead. Long
live the hero! Thebes is free!
ACMON EMBRACES OEDIPUS. THE CROWD CHEERS. SOME KNEEL
TO OEDIPUS. DURING THIS, KUPIA SLIPS IN AT THE GATES. SHE
TOUCHES OEDIPUS -- AS DO MANY OTHERS -- AND SMILES AT ACMON.
HE BECKONS TO HER, AND WHISPERS:
ACMON: Find some laurel leaves. They say there arent
any.
But find some. KUPIA LAUGHS AND NODS. There might
be a tree in my mothers garden.
AS SHE CAREFULLY MAKES HER WAY THROUGH THE CROWD, KUPIA, STILL
LAUGHING AT THE DELIGHT OF HER ERRAND, WAVES.
THEN, BREAKING FREE, SHE RUNS TOWARD THE PALACE.
*
THE PALACE PRECINCT IS FULL OF CHAOTIC MOVEMENT. SOLDIERS,
WEARING CREONS BLUE UNIFORMS, COME FROM THE PALACE,
TALKING, SHOUTING, EMBRACING. THE ONLY STILL FIGURE IS JOCASTA,
WHO NOW TURNS AND DASHES UP THE STEPS. COMMANDS ARE GIVEN TO THE
SOLDIERS. THEY ASSEMBLE AND MARCH OUT THROUGH THE GATES. MANY
TOWNSPEOPLE GO WITH THEM.
JOCASTA REACHES THE TOP OF THE STAIRWAY. CREON, AN IMPOSING
FIGURE, UNIFORMED LIKE HIS SOLDIERS, STANDS IN THE CENTER OF THE OPEN
DOORWAY. JOCASTA TRIES TO DODGE PAST HIM. HE CATCHES HER. SHE
STRUGGLES, TWISTS FREE, AND RUNS INTO THE PALACE. APHRON FOLLOWS
HER.
CREON: Calm her!
APHRON: Yes, my lord.
AS APHRON HURRIES AFTER JOCASTA, CREON TURNS TO WATCH THE
ACTIVITY IN THE COURTYARD. THE VAST STONE PILLARS AND IRON GATES ARE JUST
BEGINNING TO CAST SHADOWS. CREON ENTERS THE PALACE. THE GREAT DOORS
ARE CLOSED BEHIND HIM.
*
AT THE CITY GATES, THE CROWD AROUND OEDIPUS IS NOW LARGER.
SOME, ON THEIR KNEES, WORSHIP HIM. OEDIPUS IS EMBARRASSED,
PUZZLED. HE TRIES TO LIFT AN OLD MAN FROM HIS KNEES. THE OLD
MAN CLINGS TO HIM IN ABJECT ADORATION. A GATE GUARD STRIKES
THE OLD MAN, SHOVES HIM BACK INTO THE CROWD.
OEDIPUS IS SHOCKED, BUT ACMON RESTRAINS HIM FROM
INTERFERING.
*
JOCASTA, ENTERS HER APARTMENT, RUNS THROUGH THE
AUDIENCE CHAMBER AND INTO THE RECEPTION ROOM WHERE SHE COLLAPSES, OUT OF
BREATH, SOBBING. IN A MOMENT, APHRON ENTERS, CLOSES THE DOOR. SHE
KNEELS BEFORE JOCASTA, PUTS HER ARMS AROUND HER, MURMURS GENTLY:
APHRON: Jocasta, my lady. My child. Hush, my child.
JOCASTA: WITH AN ANGRY CRY, PUSHES APHRON AWAY.
It must be stopped! Call Captain Tyrus! Who gave orders for the
Guards to march? Call Captain Tyrus!
APHRON REMAINS STILL, HER HEAD BOWED.
JOCASTA: Will you obey me! Call the Captain!
APHRON: My child, it will do no good. Soon you will be
mistress in
this house again!
JOCASTA: Be silent! Be silent! Be silent!
APHRON GOES TO ONE OF THE GREAT CARVED CHESTS AND TAKES OUT A HEAVY,
ELABORATELY EMBROIDERED, JEWELED GARMENT.
APHRON: Let me dress you.
JOCASTA: For a riddle solver!
APHRON: For your King.
JOCASTA: No! I will not have it. Call my Captain! I
want the
streets emptied.
APHRON: Madame.
JOCASTA: Call Captain Tyrus!
APHRON STILL DOES NOT MOVE. JOCASTA THREATENS TO STRIKE
HER.
JOCASTA: Call him!
AS APHRON TURNS, THE DOOR IS OPENED. CREON ENTERS. THERE IS A
MOMENT OF STILLNESS. THEN APHRON, NOT LOOKING AT CREON,
HURRIES OUT. CREON STEPS INTO THE ROOM, SHUTS THE DOOR, AND SMILES
AT JOCASTA. SHE RETURNS HIS LOOK WITH SOBER DEFIANCE.
CREON: I expected to find you dressing.
JOCASTA: You expect a lot of things, Creon.
CREON: Difficulties with the Queen are a commonplace.
HE WALKS TO THE BALCONY DOORS AND OPENS THEM. WE HEAR THE SHOUTING IN THE
DISTANCE.
CREON: Listen. -- Shall I send soldiers to dress you?
JOCASTA: Am I needed? Will I add to your festive
occasion?
CREON: Youve made yourself indispensable.
JOCASTA STARES AT HIM. HER COURAGE BEGINNING TO FAIL, SHE TURNS
ABRUPTLY AND GOES INTO HER BEDROOM. CREON CLOSES THE BALCONY
DOORS AND FOLLOWS HER.
CREON: Will Captain Tyrus protect you? From whom? From
yourself? I didnt
offer you as a prize for riddle solving.
JOCASTA: Who is the riddle solver?
CREON: WITH AMUSED INNOCENCE. I have not seen
him. You didnt qualify your offer as to shape and manner. Is
that what you want to do now? Shall we call the Council?
JOCASTA: Dont make me marry. You can prevent
it.
CREON: A Queen lives by her decrees.
JOCASTA: Please, Creon, whomever youve chosen,
dont
make me marry.
CREON: I try to imagine what you were thinking of. The
good men
ot the Council were as astonished as I. Did you think the Gods would
send you -- what? -- Adonis -- for a lover?
JOCASTA: I thought it might help to save Thebes.
CREON: STEPS TO THE CRADLE-SHRINE Is this to save
Thebes, as well!
IN ONE MOTION, CREON RIPS THE BEDCLOTHES AND DRAPERIES FROM THE
CRADLE. JOCASTA LUNGES AT CREON, GRABBING THE CLOTH FROM
HIS HANDS. HE STEPS ADROITLY ASIDE, THROWS HIMSELF ON HER BED,
LAUGHING.
ON THE BED ARE SOME OF THE PAPYRUS SCROLLS JOCASTA WAS READING IN
THE NIGHT. AS CREON FALLS ON THEM THE PAPYRUS TEARS.
FRANTICALLY, JOCASTA PULLS THE SCROLLS FROM BENEATH CREON.
DISTRAUGHT BY THIS ACCIDENT, AS MUCH AS BY THE DESECRATION
OF THE CRADLE SHE TRIES TO RESCUE THE SCROLLS, RE-DRAPE THE SHRINE,
REMAKE THE BED. CREON WATCHES WITH AMUSED CONTEMPT FOR HER
CONCERNS.
CREON: Save it! Save it! Save all of it. Your new
husband
might
give you some use for it.
JOCASTA SINKS TO THE FLOOR, HOLDING A SCROLL, CRYING, HER HEAD
AGAINST THE CRADLE.
CREON: You can read some lullabies to the child. HE
PULLS
THE BLACK VEIL FROM HER HEAD. Control yourself. Gods,
youre grotesque! Keeping a shrine for a twenty-year-dead son!
Ranting at the Gods! -- I try to pretend its for Laius.
JOCASTA: Why dont you kill me, too. It would be so
easy.
CREON: I dont know how to deal with your
imaginings,
Jocasta.
JOCASTA: Dont make me marry. Creon, I beg you.
Ive
been used and used -- a pawn in your games -- I dont want to be
sold again!
CREON: Your offer has been stricken from the Council
records.
JOCASTA, TAKEN ABACK, TURNS TO LOOK AT HIM.
CREON: Weeks ago, the day you made it. -- Come,
get up,
Jocasta.
AS CREON HELPS HER TO HER FEET, HE TAKES THE SCROLLS FROM HER
HANDS AND TOSSES THEM ON THE FLOOR:
CREON: And throw these blasphemous things away. Would you
were a
man, I would teach you to fight. Youd enjoy a few battles, I
think. Come, we are not interested in someone unsuitable sharing the
throne. But receive him. Receive the hero. Treat him with honor. Give
us a chance to applaud your generosity.
JOCASTA: You dont know what youre destroying.
I am
not mad, Creon. How many things you have destroyed out of ignorance. I
do know the truth.
CREON: The official reward is gold.
JOCASTA: But I will act as you please today. If you
protect
me this once, be assured, I will accede to your wishes.
CREON: Would that I were not your brother -- and solved
the
riddle.
JOCASTA: Yes.
CREON: You would marry me.
JOCASTA: Yes, Creon.
CREON: I, too, could rant against the Gods.
JOCASTA: WITHDRAWING FROM HIM. But you sold me to
Laius. If you found it expedient, youd sell me again. You
dont love anyone, least...
CREON: Youll not be forced to marry. Trust me.
JOCASTA: Trust you?
CREON: I would like to see you well and happy again. The
official
reward is gold, a hundred weight in gold. Thebes can ill afford it,
Jocasta.
JOCASTA: If I could trust even a little...
CREON: Whatever I do is for you -- and for Thebes.
JOCASTA: The Sphinx... Was that real, Creon?
KNOCKING IS HEARD AT THE DOOR OF THE OUTER ROOM. CREON LIFTS
JOCASTAS HAND AND KISSES IT. THE KNOCKING IS HEARD AGAIN.
CREON MOVES TO THE OUTER ROOM.
*
CREON: Enter!
CAPTAIN TYRUS, WEARING THE GOLD UNIFORM OF JOCASTAS
GUARDS, OPENS THE DOOR. SEEING CREON, HE HESITATES, THEN
SPEAKS CAUTIOUSLY.
TYRUS: The Queen sent for me.
CREON: And will be pleased to see you. Have you seen the
hero?
TYRUS: No, my Lord.
CREON: Do you know his identity?
TYRUS: No, my Lord.
JOCASTA ENTERS AND STANDS FOR A MOMENT IN THE BACKGROUND.
JOCASTA: Have you prepared the reception?
TYRUS: We are awaiting orders.
CREON: The Palace Guards...
JOCASTA: I will give the orders!
CREON: MAKES A MOCK BOW AND STEPS ASIDE. As you
wish.
TYRUS: My Queen.
JOCASTA: The Palace Guards are to assemble in the
courtyard, below
my balcony.
CREON: They have their orders.
JOCASTA: They will stand in the courtyard!
AS SHE SPEAKS, JOCASTA MOVES ABOUT THE RECEPTION ROOM. CAPTAIN
TYRUS FOLLOWS HER.
JOCASTA: My own guards will stand on the balcony, along
those
walls. I shall receive the riddle solver here. Only members of the
Council will be admitted. And you, Captain Tyrus, bring the hero in
yourself.
TYRUS: Yes, your Majesty.
JOCASTA: Open the gates. Let the people into the
courtyard.
TYRUS: It shall be done.
JOCASTA: You are to bring him in.
TYRUS: Yes, your Majesty.
JOCASTA: Have Lord Haemon sent here. And... Have the
guards
armed. Have my guards fully armed.
TYRUS LOOKS QUESTIONINGLY AT HER, ABOUT TO SPEAK.
JOCASTA: That is my wish. You may go. AS
JOCASTA
WALKS AWAY, SHE SAYS: Send soldiers to drape the balcony. We
will use only the flag of Thebes.
TYRUS: Yes, your Majesty.
AS TYRUS MOVES TO EXITS, CREON STOPS HIM.
CREON: Wait for me here. HE SHUTS THE DOOR
BETWEEN
HIMSELF AND TYRUS. THEN TO JOCASTA: The
throne
room would be more suitable.
JOCASTA: No.
CREON: Your chambers are rather intimate.
JOCASTA: Intimate? My life is in here. I will receive
him
here.
CREON: I would advise you to change your mind.
JOCASTA: I will receive him here. AS CREON
GOES
OUT, SHE SAYS: Send in Aphron. I must
dress.
IN THE CORRIDOR, CREON NODS FOR CAPTAIN TYRUS TO FOLLOW
HIM. APHRON GOES IN TO JOCASTA.
*
THE SOLDIERS AND GUARDS FROM THE PALACE HAVE ARRIVED AT
THE CITY GATES. A PROCESSION IS FORMED AND STARTS TOWARD THE PALACE.
OEDIPUS WALKS WITH ACMON. THEY ARE SURROUNDED BY
CREONS GUARDS WHO MARCH IN A SQUARE FORMATION, SIX TO A
SIDE. MANY SOLDIERS PRECEDE AND FOLLOW THEM.
THE NOISY, SHOUTING CROWD TRIES TO PRESS THROUGH THE GUARDS TO
TOUCH OEDIPUS, TO TALK TO HIM, TO WARN HIM. CREONS
GUARDS, BRUTALLY REPEL THEM. ONE WOMAN, BREAKING THROUGH THE
GUARDS, LEERS AND SAYS:
The mad Queen will like you.
SHE IS DRAGGED AWAY. SOME OF THE CROWD CRAWL ON THEIR KNEES.
OEDIPUS IS SHOCKED AND REPELLED TO SEE BOTH HOW ABJECT AND HOW VIOLENT
THESE PEOPLE ARE. SOME CARRY CLUBS OR STICKS, IMPLEMENTS THAT COULD
BE USED AS WEAPONS.
THE PROCESSION PASSES THROUGH THE SQUARE OF THE PUBLIC PYRE. THE MEN
AND WOMEN, WHO HAVE BEEN CLEANING THE SQUARE AND BUILDING A NEW PYRE,
LEAVE THEIR WORK TO JOIN THE PROCESSION. OEDIPUS GLANCES AROUND THE
SQUARE PUZZLED, INTERESTED. HE LOOKS TO ACMON QUESTIONINGLY, BUT
ACMON IS NOT LOOKING AT HIM.
OEDIPUS TO ACMON: HE HAS TO SHOUT: Who
governs this
Thebes?
A VOICE IN THE CROWD SCREAMS: A Sphinx!
ACMON: You will meet her soon.
OEDIPUS: Why do they kneel to me?
ACMON: You have brought deliverance.
*
CREON AND CAPTAIN TYRUS WALK DOWN THE CORRIDOR TO THE THRONE
ROOM. TYRUS IS NERVOUS. CREON STROLLS, PASSING THE TIME OF
DAY.
CREON: Its a wonderful day for a celebration, you
can
feel the
intoxication in the air. Lucky man, whoever he is. Did you ever
attempt to answer the riddle?
TYRUS: I applied, but...
CREON: Of course. Well, we have a hero. Thebes was in
need of a
hero.
TYRUS: Your Highness, I must hurry.
CREON: Yes?... You are expected in the throne room.
Lord Branchus
will give you instructions.
TYRUS: The Queen...
CREON: I will send soldiers to escort the Queen.
FURTHER DOWN THE HALL, POLYPHONTES HAS COME OUT OF A SIDE
PASSAGE AND IS HURRYING AHEAD, CARRYING A HUGE PILE OF MATERIAL.
CREON: Polyphontes!
POLYPHONTES STOPS, TURNS, WALKS BACK TO CREON.
CREON: What have you there? The Captain will help you
with
those.
CREON EXAMINES EACH AS HE LIFTS THE GREAT FLAGS AND BUNTINGS
FROM POLYPHONTES ARMS AND GIVES THEM, ONE BY ONE, TO
CAPTAIN TYRUS.
CREON: Thebes. The Imperial bunting -- its very
worn.
Mine. HE SMILES AT CAPTAIN TYRUS. The throne room.
You may go. Take them. Drape them, they are still colorful -- well
soon need to replace them.
CREON CONTINUES TO EXAMINE THE REST OF THE FLAGS
POLYPHONTES HOLDS. CAPTAIN TYRUS WALKS ON DOWN THE HALL.
DURING THE FOLLOWING, A SOLDIER APPROACHES CAPTAIN TYRUS,
TAKES THE FLAGS FROM HIM, THEN BOTH GO UP THE STEPS TO THE THRONE ROOM.
CREON: So, the Sphinx is dead. Long live the hero.
POLYPHONTES: Yes, my Lord.
CREON: Thebes rejoices.
POLYPHONTES: Yes, indeed, my Lord.
CREON: Will the Queen marry the riddle solver?
POLYPHONTES: The people talk of nothing else.
CREON: What do you, you soldiers, think of such a
marriage?
UNCOMFORTABLE, POLYPHONTES HESITATES. THEY PASS THE STAIRWAY
TO THE THRONE ROOM. POLYPHONTES STOPS, BUT CREON WALKS ON
AND POLYPHONTES MUST FOLLOW HIM.
POLYPHONTES: We will abide by... the Queens
wishes.
CREON: If he were a stranger... from another land,
that
would be
unfortunate, wouldnt it? Or, again, he might be one of our own
people, familiar with our customs and our laws. A friend of the Queen,
possibly, or of myself.
POLYPHONTES: Very likely, my Lord.
CREON: Very likely?
POLYPHONTES: I mean, we would wish for such a person to be
King.
CREON: If the hero were such a man, perhaps a
demonstration....
THEY HAVE REACHED THE GREAT FRONT DOORS. AS CREON OPENS
ONE OF THEM, HE SEES TEIRESIAS COMING UP THE STEPS, LED BY THE
BOY.
CREON: ...a spontaneous demonstration by the Queens
own
soldiers.
POLYPHONTES: I understand, my lord.
CREON: Acmon was going to attempt an answer today.
POLYPHONTES: Yes, my Lord.
CREON DISMISSES POLYPHONTES, WHO HURRIES BACK INSIDE. DURING
THE FOLLOWING, POLYPHONTES AND OTHER SOLDIERS ARE SEEN DRAPING
THE BALCONY OUTSIDE THE THRONE ROOM.
*
CREON MOVES TO THE EDGE OF THE PORCH TO STAND BETWEEN THE PILLARS
TO WATCH THE PROCESSION, FAR IN THE DISTANCE. THEN HE STRIDES
CHEERFULLY DOWN THE STEPS.
CREON: Teiresias! Welcome!
CREON WAVES THE BOY AWAY AND TAKES TEIRESIAS
BY THE
ARM, HELPING HIM UP A STEP OR TWO. THE BOY LEANS AGAINST THE
NEAREST PILLAR SULLENLY WATCHING CREON.
CREON: If you come to announce our good fortune, you are
late.
TEIRESIAS: I come, not as a messenger of good fortune, but
in fear.
CREON: Fear? Today? Why, blind Teiresias, if you had
eyes you
would see the world rejoicing. Listen.
TEIRESIAS: I have come to see the Queen.
CREON: The Sphinx is conquered, the Queen rejoices.
TEIRESIAS: The Sphinx dies, but her death makes fertile
the ground
for new devastation.
CREON: Is that a new riddle?
TEIRESIAS: We have feared evil, now we must fear
lust.
CREON: HIGHLY AMUSED. Lust?! Surely thats a
bit...
TEIRESIAS: Where is Jocasta? I must warn her.
BOY: JUMPING FORWARD. Watch out!
TEIRESIAS HAS STEPPED CLOSE TO THE FRAGMENTS OF THE BROKEN
MIRROR. CREON ANGRILY WAVES THE BOY ASIDE AND LEADS
TEIRESIAS A FEW STEPS FROM THE GLASS.
TEIRESIAS: What is it?
CREON: There is broken glass on the steps.
TEIRESIAS: What manner of glass?
CREON: A mirror.
TEIRESIAS: Who shall meet death without a soul?
CREON: Is that your warning?
TEIRESIAS: Whose image lies shattered?
CREON: IMPATIENTLY. Mine, if I look in the
fragments.
TEIRESIAS HEAD JERKS UP. IF HE COULD SEE HE WOULD BE
STARING SEARCHINGLY AT CREON. CREON DOES NOT NOTICE. HE IS
STANDING ABOVE TEIRESIAS AND STUDYING THE CITY. AFTER A FEW
MOMENTS, HIS ATTENTION RETURNS TO TEIRESIAS.
CREON: What do you want to tell Jocasta?
TEIRESIAS: A man comes into the land preceded by Omens.
Omens
that foretell
danger for Thebes, tragedy for the Queen, sorrow for the House of
Laius.
CREON: What man?
HAEMON APPEARS AT THE PALACE GATES. THEY ARE OPENED. THE
GUARDS SALUTE HAEMON AS HE ENTERS. THEY RE-CLOSE THE GATES.
HAEMON STARTS UP THE STEPS.
TEIRESIAS: Time reverses in its course, we must escape the
present.
CREON SALUTES HAEMON AND HAEMON RETURNS THE
SALUTE.
CREON: Wonderful day, Haemon!
HAEMON: Indeed it is, Father. Teiresias, we are
fortunate.
CREON: Have you been to the west gate?
HAEMON: No.
CREON: Acmon is a courageous man.
HAEMON: Acmon? HAEMON STUDIES CREON
FOR
A MOMENT. Yes.
HAEMON, BOWING HIS HEAD SLIGHTLY, CONTINUES UP THE STEPS. HE NOTICES
THE BALCONY BEING DRAPED. WHEN HE REACHES THE TOP, HE STOPS, TURNS TO WATCH
CREON AND TEIRESIAS. HAEMON CANNOT HEAR THE WORDS OF
THE FOLLOWING, BUT HE SEES CREONS ANGER.
CREON: Is Acmon the hero?
TEIRESIAS: Apollo has selected the hero.
CREON: Of course. Speak in plain words. Is it the hero
Jocasta
must fear?
TEIRESIAS: Today brings doom to the Queen. Thebes
must...
CREON: INTERRUPTING. Ah, you can speak
plainly. Wise Teiresias, you once told me I would inherit the crown of
Thebes.
TEIRESIAS: The present weds with the past, inheritance
debars the
future.
CREON: Do these omens confirm your prediction?
TEIRESIAS: The days to come lie in darkness.
CREON: Look up, Teiresias, you cant see the sun.
But feel its
warmth, its brightness.
TEIRESIAS: The Queen is in danger, I must warn her.
CREON: She doesnt believe in omens!
TEIRESIAS: The Queen is a wise woman, she does not doubt
the
Gods.
CREON: She curses the Gods. Theyve killed my
son,
she cries eternally. Shell never listen to you.
TEIRESIAS: As her counselor, and counselor of her
father...
CREON: She calls you a blind fool.
TRUMPETS FROM THE PROCESSION SOUND. HAEMON GOES INTO THE PALACE.
CREON: Let me give her your warning, Teiresias. She will
listen
to me.
HE MOTIONS TO THE BOY.
TEIRESIAS: Time runs out, Prince Creon.
CREON: It is time to celebrate.
CREON WHISPERS TO THE BOY, THEN OFFERS HIM COINS. THE
BOY REFUSES AT FIRST, THEN TAKES THEM. CREON ACCOMPANIES
TEIRESIAS AND THE BOY DOWN A FEW STEPS. HE MOTIONS FOR A
GUARD TO SEE THEM OUT THROUGH A SIDE GATE. THEN CREON HURRIES
UP THE STEPS AND INTO THE PALACE.
*
KUPIA ENTERS THE AUDIENCE ROOM OF JOCASTAS
APARTMENT. SHE PAUSES, GOES TO THE CLOSED DOOR OF THE RECEPTION ROOM,
HESITATES, LISTENS.
*
IN JOCASTAS BEDROOM, APHRON IS HELPING JOCASTA
DRESS.
APHRON: Lovely, lovely.
JOCASTA: I need a veil.
KUPIAS KNOCK IS HEARD. JOCASTA, ALERT, PAUSES FOR A
MOMENT, THEN MOTIONS FOR APHRON TO ANSWER THE DOOR.
*
SEEING KUPIAS HUNTING CLOTHES, APHRON STEPS INTO THE
RECEPTION ROOM AND REPROVES HER ANGRILY.
APHRON: Where have you been?
KUPIA: Walking in the woods by the west gate.
APHRON: Kupia, thats...
KUPIA: Motherrrrr!
KUPIA IS FORTHRIGHT, INTELLIGENT, FULL OF GAIETY, IMPATIENT WITH
PALACE INTRIGUE -- AND YOUNG ENOUGH, SHE KNOWS, TO GET AWAY WITH IT.
*
JOCASTA: COMING TO THE DOORWAY, PUTTING ON
PERFUME. What were you doing out there?
KUPIA: Hunting.
APHRON: Its against the law for you to go outside
the
gates.
KUPIA: TO JOCASTA, SMILING. I like to hunt.
Thats not against the law, is it?
APHRON: It ought to be.
JOCASTA: How do you get out?
KUPIA: Oh, I have secret ways. Not even Creon knows.
JOCASTA: AMUSED Should the Queen chastise you?
KUPIA: PRETTILY If you dont, Ill give
you one of my magic arrows.
SHE OFFERS JOCASTA AN ARROW.
JOCASTA: MUCH AMUSED, ACCEPTS THE ARROW. Thank
you. What
is their magic?
KUPIA: Why -- to please a Queen!
JOCASTA LAUGHS, THEN TURNS AWAY TO PLACE THE ARROW ON A TABLE.
JOCASTA: What did you see at the west gate?
KUPIA: I saw the hero.
JOCASTA MOVES TOWARD HER BEDROOM, KUPIA FOLLOWS HER.
KUPIA: I slipped in at the gates with him. He passed so
close I
could have touched him -- with an arrow. TO APHRON SHE
WHISPERS: I did touch him -- for luck.
JOCASTA: What is he like? -- this hero.
APHRON HOLDS KUPIA BACK, SHE WHISPERS:
APHRON: Be careful what you say. The Queen...
KUPIA: The Queen! -- Mother? I wish I were the
Queen!
SHE PULLS AWAY FROM APHRON AND DARTS INTO JOCASTAS
BEDROOM.
*
JOCASTA IS SEATED AT HER DRESSING TABLE. THOUGH KUPIA OFTEN
PAUSES DURING THE FOLLOWING, JOCASTA DOES NOT ANSWER NOR LOOK AT HER.
WE SEE JOCASTAS FACE REFLECTED IN HER DRESSING TABLE
MIRROR.
KUPIA: Hes young, my Queen. -- Hes not
from Thebes. -- He may be frightened. -- Theyre
yelling at him. -- Everyone is shouting. -- People are
kissing his feet. -- His clothes are dirty.
JOCASTA: Describe him.
KUPIA SMILES AT JOCASTA IN THE MIRROR.
KUPIA: His hair is pretty -- black -- like yours.
SHE TOUCHES JOCASTAS HAIR. APHRON IS SHOCKED AND
MOVES TO TAKE KUPIAS HAND AWAY, BUT KUPIA SKIPS OFF.
KUPIA: And curly. AGAIN, SHE LAUGHS.
His
eyes are dark, very dark.   WE SEE JOCASTAS DARK EYES
WATCHING KUPIA. And he's handsome. He's tall. KUPIA
MEASURES HIS HEIGHT WITH HER HANDS. He might be a soldier.
SHE ADDS SOFTLY. He limps. LIGHTHEARTEDLY KUPIA
IMITATES OEDIPUS LIMP.
JOCASTA: SHE HAS BEEN LISTENING INTENTLY. BUT NOW,
BREAKING HER
MOOD, SHE SAY ACIDLY. The stones of Thebes are very sharp.
KUPIA: THOUGHTFULLY, JOCASTAS TONE HAS HURT
HER. The Sphinx might have hurt him.
JOCASTA: You may go, Kupia. Change your clothes.
KUPIA: Hes as beautiful as Apollo, Queen
Jocasta.
APHRON: Enough!
APHRON TRIES TO HURRY KUPIA FROM THE ROOM. KUPIA
RESISTS, TAKING HER TIME AND, AGAIN, TRIES TO IMITATE
OEDIPUS WALK.
APHRON: Hurry.
*
IN THE OUTER ROOM, KUPIA STOPS TO PICK UP HER
BOW.
APHRON: Hide that! The Queen could have been very angry.
KUPIA: Not today. SHE RUNS TO THE DOOR, TURNS TO
SAY: I found some laurel leaves for a crown.
APHRON: Never mind that!
*
APHRON RETURNS TO JOCASTA AT HER DRESSING TABLE, PICKS UP THE
VEIL AND PLACES IT ON JOCASTAS HEAD.
JOCASTA: Shes a sweet child.
APHRON: The heros beauty will complement your
Majestys.
JOCASTA: Dont talk to me like a gossiping fool!
APHRON: Forgive me.
JOCASTA: Im sorry, Aphron, I...
APHRON: My child, I pray only for your
happiness.
HAEMON: ENTERING. The Queen is happy, isnt
she?
JOCASTA: Haemon.
SMILING, JOCASTA GOES TO HIM. THEY EMBRACE. HE KISSES HER CHEEK.
THEY MOVE TO THE RECEPTION ROOM, APHRON FOLLOWS.
*
HAEMON: My aunt is the most beautiful woman in Thebes.
JOCASTA: You are late.
HAEMON: Did you send for me?
JOCASTA: Are my guards coming?
HAEMON: I didnt see them.
JOCASTA: My crown! SHE LAUGHS NERVOUSLY. I
have
forgotten my crown. Get it for me, Haemon, the -- emerald crown.
APHRON: Oh, your Majesty!
JOCASTA: Its in the chest.
HAEMON: HE HOLDS UP A PLAIN CIRCLET OF GOLD. The
Imperial crown?
JOCASTA: The Emerald crown.
HAEMON LIFTS THE EMERALD CROWN. IT IS EXTRAORDINARILY BEAUTIFUL.
HE TURNS IT, ADMIRING IT. THE EMERALDS CATCH THE LIGHT, CASTING A GREEN
SHIMMER ABOUT THE ROOM. HAEMON MOVES TO STAND BEHIND
JOCASTA. AS HE RAISES THE CROWN WE HEAR THE SOUND OF MARCHING.
CREONS GUARDS, APPEAR IN THE DOORWAY. THE FIRST
OFFICER STEPS INTO THE ROOM. JOCASTA LIFTS HER HEAD
DEFIANTLY.
OFFICER: Your Majesty.
JOCASTA: My crown, Haemon. HAEMON PLACES THE
EMERALD CROWN ON HER HEAD. Thank you, Lord Haemon.
SHE REMAINS SEATED AND SILENT, FACING THE GUARDS.
OFFICER: We have orders to escort you to the throne room.
JOCASTA: Whose orders?
OFFICER: Prince Creons
ANGRILY, HAEMON STARTS TOWARD THE GUARDS. JOCASTA
RESTRAINS HIM.
JOCASTA: Never mind, the Prince will have his way.
JOCASTA STANDS AND LEADS THE GUARDS FROM THE ROOM.
*
IN THE HALL, THEY SURROUND HER IN THE SAME MANNER AS THE GUARDS
SURROUNDED OEDIPUS. THE PROCESSION STARTS SLOWLY TOWARD THE
THRONE ROOM. PUSHING PAST THE GUARDS, HAEMON HURRIES DOWN
THE HALL.
*
FROM THE PALACE PORCH WE SEE THE INNER GATES AS THEY ARE OPENED TO ADMIT
OEDIPUS AND THE PROCESSION. THEY ADVANCE TOWARD THE
STEPS.
THE GATE GUARDS, HARD PRESSED, FIGHT TO KEEP THE
TOWNSPEOPLE OUT AND RE-CLOSE THE GATES. OEDIPUS PAUSES,
TURNS. SHOCKED TO SEE THE FIGHTING, HE DESCENDS A STEP OR TWO, BUT THE
SOLDIERS BLOCK HIS WAY. HE LOOKS TO ACMON, WHO SHAKES HIS
HEAD. OEDIPUS LOOKS TOWARD THE PALACE AS THE GREAT DOORS OPEN
AND THE HONOR GUARDS DESCEND THE STEPS. HAEMON, TOO,
APPEARS IN THE DOORWAY, SEARCHING FOR CREON.
HAEMON SEES ACMON DIRECT THE HONOR GUARD TO STAND
AROUND OEDIPUS. SURPRISED, HE STUDIES OEDIPUS. AFTER
WATCHING THE SCENE CAREFULLY, TO BE SURE HE UNDERSTANDS THE SITUATION,
HAEMON TURNS AND GOES INTO THE PALACE. NOW DOUBLY SURROUNDED --
THE HONOR GUARDS ON THE OUTSIDE, CREONS
GUARDS ON THE INSIDE -- OEDIPUS ADVANCES A FEW STEPS, THEN
TURNS AGAIN TO LOOK AT THE REBELLIOUS CROWD. THE BATTLE IS OVER,
THE GATES ARE RE-CLOSED. THE CROWD KNEELS -- AT FIRST, A FEW
PEOPLE, THEN MORE AND MORE. OEDIPUS LOOKS QUESTIONINGLY AT
ACMON.
ACMON: To their King.
OEDIPUS IS MOVED, UNCERTAIN. ACMON TOUCHES HIS ARM. THEY
PROCEED SLOWLY UP THE GREAT STEPS.
*
HAEMON REACHES THE TOP OF THE INSIDE STAIRWAY AND RUNS DOWN THE
CORRIDOR TO THE THRONE ROOM. HE LEANS AGAINST THE CLOSED DOORS TO CATCH
HIS BREATH. THEN HE FLINGS THE DOORS OPEN.
HAEMON: Father!
*
INSIDE THE ALREADY CROWDED THRONE ROOM, PREPARATIONS FOR
THE RECEPTION ARE STILL IN PROGRESS. CREON IS TALKING WITH A
GROUP OF NOBLES. HE TURNS AT THE SOUND OF HAEMONS
VOICE. DISPLEASED, HE MOTIONS TO HAEMON TO BE QUIET AND TO STAY
WHERE HE IS. BUT HAEMON PUSHES HIS WAY THROUGH THE CROWD TOWARD
CREON.
HAEMON: Father! SHOUTING. Prince Creon!
THE ROOM QUIETS. ALL WATCH HAEMON AND CREON. CREON
POINTEDLY LINGERS WITH THE GROUP HE HAS BEEN TALKING TO, BUT LEAVES IN
TIME TO MEET HAEMON NEAR THE CENTER OF THE ROOM.
CREON: SMILING, REFUSING TO ACKNOWLEDGE
HAEMONS ANGER. Yes, Haemon, Im glad to see
you. Have you been running? HE LAUGHS. I feel breathless
myself.
HAEMON: HE SPEAKS DISTINCTLY AND VERY LOUDLY.
Jocasta is not a prisoner in this house!
CREON: GESTURES FOR HAEMON TO LOWER HIS VOICE, BUT
SPEAKS PLEASANTLY. That is true enough.
HAEMON: Why is she being forced to come here under armed guard?
CREON: WRYLY. Forced? Did she resist?
HAEMON: You think you can...
CREON: INTERRUPTING. A COMMAND, BUT STILL IN A QUIET
VOICE. Calm yourself. Your voice is quite unpleasant
when...
HAEMON: By the Gods, Ill...
CREON: Youll stop screeching like a peacock!
CREON SAYS THIS LOUDLY ENOUGH TO BE OVERHEARD. THE NOBLES
TURN TO EACH OTHER, A MURMUR OF TALK RESUMES.
HAEMON: IN A QUIETER, BUT MORE THREATENING TONE.
You may regret your tyranny.
CREON SNORTS CONTEMPTUOUSLY AT THE THREAT.
HAEMON: Have you seen the hero?
CREON STUDIES HAEMON. Your scheme
hasnt worked, Father.
CREON: Who is he?
HAEMON: I dont know.
CREON: And Acmon?
HAEMON: He is with the hero.
ABRUPTLY, CREON TURNS FROM HAEMON, MOTIONS TO A
SOLDER NEAR THE DOOR AND ADVANCES TO MEET HIM.
CREON: Do you know Lord Acmon?
SOLDIER: PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO GIVE THIS ANSWER.
Very well, your Highness.
CREON: He is with the procession. You are to take four
men and
arrest him -- in the name of the Queen. Take him to prison.
THE SOLDIER IS SURPRISED AND DISMAYED.
HAEMON: LOUDLY, BRINGING THE ATTENTION OF MANY OF THE
NOBLES. What is his crime?
CREON: See that he is well guarded.
IN THE BACKGROUND, JOCASTA AND HER GUARDS ENTER. SHE PAUSES IN THE
DOORWAY, WATCHING. A FEW OF THE NOBLES MAKE PERFUNCTORY
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE QUEENS PRESENCE.
CREON: He must speak to no one; he is a traitor to the
crown.
SOLDIER: HE HAS NOT SEEN JOCASTA ENTER THE ROOM,
BUT, NOT WANTING TO CARRY OUT THE ORDER, HE SAYS: I must have the
Queens word.
JOCASTA BEGINS TO WALK SLOWLY ACROSS THE ROOM, BUT NOT TOWARD THE
SOLDIER OR CREON. CREON SEES HER, BUT NEITHER HIS TONE
NOR HIS MANNER CHANGE. HE TAKES HIS DAGGER FROM ITS SHEATH AND OFFERS IT TO
THE SOLDIER.
CREON: Give this to the warden.
SOLDIER: HE SEES THE QUEEN. The Queen
must...
CREON: HE REVERSES THE OFFERED DAGGER FROM HILT TO BLADE
OUT AND
SAYS QUIETLY: You might find cause to use this on yourself.
HE THEN OFFERS THE HILT AGAIN. THE SOLDIER TAKES IT,
SIGNALS TO
FOUR SOLDIERS AND, TOGETHER, THEY EXIT.
HAEMON: You are a butcher!
TURNING FROM CREON, HE STARTS TOWARD JOCASTA. CREON
DETAINS HIM.
CREON: If he lived, he might be indiscreet.
HAEMON: Would you kill me, too? Having killed
Jocastas son, I
dont suppose killing your own would be -- so very different.
HAEMON WALKS AWAY.
CREON: Haemon!
HAEMON: FACING CREON AGAIN: Our new King
may challenge your decrees.
CREON: Be silent.
CREON TURNS AWAY FROM HAEMON.
JOCASTA HAS CROSSED THE THRONE ROOM, AND THE DAIS ON WHICH THE
DOUBLE
THRONE OF THEBES SITS, TO STAND ON THE STEPS TO THE BALCONY.
JOCASTA: TO A NOBLE
Whose death has Creon commanded?
NOBLE: IN MOCK ASTONISHMENT. Madame?
JOCASTA: The Prince gave his dagger to that soldier.
NOBLE: I think you are mistaken. HE MOVES AWAY.
STANDING NEARBY, LORD DYMAS MOVES TO THE QUEEN AND SAYS
SOFTLY:
DYMAS: Acmon, my Lady.
JOCASTA: GENUINELY SURPRISED. Why? Hes
Creons friend.
DYMAS: My Queen, challenge the order, demand the
reason.
JOCASTA: Are you my friend?
DYMAS: You are my Queen.
JOCASTA: LAUGHING SOFTLY, BITTERLY: The Queen
does not dare to challenge her brother.
HAEMON: COMES UP TO JOCASTA, TAKES HER HAND.
Challenge him.
JOCASTA: Show me which of these men would back me if I
did.
TO LORD DYMAS If your advice is well meant, and
you are my
friend, I think you are one of very few among my nobles.
CREON: FROM SOME DISTANCE AWAY, BECKONS TO LORD
DYMAS. Lord Dymas.
JOCASTA SMILES AT LORD DYMAS, AND NODS. SHE AND
HAEMON GO UP THE STEPS TO STAND BY THE BALCONY DOORS, LOOKING OUT.
DYMAS: APPROACHING CREON. Your
Highness?
CREON: You will stand at the door to announce the
hero.
DYMAS: Very well, your Highness.
CREON TURNS TO ANOTHER NOBLE Stand with
him. If there is any trouble... HE NODS TOWARD AN OFFICER
OF THE GUARD. Tydeus is at your command.
CREON MOVES TOWARD THE BALCONY.
*
HAEMON, ON THE BALCONY, SPEAKS QUIETLY TO JOCASTA:
He sent Acmon to answer the riddle.
JOCASTA: But it is a stranger.
CREON APPROACHES THEM AND, INDICATING THE CROWN AND
JOCASTAS GARMENTS,
CREON: Whats this? And this? Are you
Aphrodites priestess today?
The state robes would have been more suitable.
HAEMON: INTERRUPTING. Wheres
Teiresias?
CREON: Teiresias? He was ill, I sent him home.
JOCASTA: I thought the Gods granted him not only wisdom,
but
perpetual health.
CREON: Hes a very old man.
JOCASTA: And a kind one. I wish he were here. We feel he
has concern
for our well being.
A FANFARE OF TRUMPETS IS HEARD FROM OUTSIDE. OEDIPUS IS
ABOUT
TO
ENTER THE PALACE.
CREON: No doubt he will recover.
HE TURNS FROM JOCASTA AND HAEMON, AND STARTS DOWN THE
STEPS.
*
AT THE FRONT OF THE PALACE, THE PROCESSION STANDS READY ON THE
STEPS. THE TRUMPETS CONTINUE TO SOUND. THE DOORS OPEN.
ABOVE, ON THE BALCONY, UNNOTICED BY THE CROWD, STAND JOCASTA
AND HAEMON. NEITHER OEDIPUS NOR THE CROWD SEES
THEM. THE PROCESSION STARTS TO MOVE.
*
AS OEDIPUS ENTERS THE PALACE. HE GAZES AT HIS SURROUNDINGS.
ACMON IS AMUSED AND PLEASED THAT OEDIPUS IS OBVIOUSLY
IMPRESSED.
OEDIPUS: IN A HUSHED VOICE. Its rather
awful... frightening. HE SMILES UNCERTAINLY AT
ACMON.
ACMON RETURNS THE SMILE.
OEDIPUS: And cold. ACMONS GRUNT OF
LAUGHTER
SHOWS HE GRIMLY AGREES. Were your architects hired from
Hades?
ACMON LAUGHS ALOUD. HE AND OEDIPUS WALK ON. WE LINGER ON THE
PROCESSION PASSING BY.
*
THE PROCESSION ASCENDS THE INSIDE STAIRWAY. A LINE OF ARMED GUARDS
MARCHES AT EITHER SIDE.
ACMON: When you come into
the Queens presence, you must kneel.
OEDIPUS: LIGHTLY. One knee? Two knees? My heart
may stop
before I need to know.
ACMON: LAUGHING. HES ALREADY FOND OF OEDIPUS
AND HUMOR IS RARE IN THE PALACE. On your left knee. Shell
ask you to rise.
OEDIPUS: Which only a God could do.
ACMON: You say, I kneel to the Sovereign Queen of
all
Thebes. Shell ask you to rise again. Then...
THE SOLDIERS TO ARREST ACMON STAND BLOCKING THE TOP OF THE
STEPS, FORCING ACMON AND OEDIPUS TO STOP.
ACMON: ANNOYED. Yes? THEN, SUDDENLY, A
NOTE OF
FEAR IS MIXED WITH HIS ANGER. What is it? Stand aside.
SOLDIER: You are under arrest -- by order of the
Queen.
ACMON: For what?
SOLDIER: You are not to speak.
OEDIPUS: Arrest?
AS OEDIPUS TRIES TO STEP BETWEEN THE SOLDIERS AND
ACMON, THE
HONOR GUARDS LOWER THEIR LANCES TO PREVENT HIM.
ACMON: SEEING THE DAGGER IN THE SOLDIERS
HAND I have seen that before... THE SOLDIER
LOWERS HIS EYES -- GUILTILY. ...in the hand of a dead
mans guard.
OEDIPUS: HORRIFIED. The Queen... ?
GUARD A: LEANING CLOSE TO OEDIPUS, WHISPERS:
...eats up little riddle solvers like you.
OEDIPUS HEAD JERKS ROUND TO STARE AT THE GUARD.
ACMON: IN A DESPERATE WHISPER -- HIS WORDS TO
OEDIPUS ARE
ALMOST SIMULTANEOUS WITH THE GUARDS. Not the Queen!
OEDIPUS TURNS TO ACMON, CONFUSED, ALARMED.
SOLDIER: TO ACMON You must be silent.
ALTHOUGH IT IS A COMMAND, HIS SYMPATHY IS WITH ACMON. THE
SOLDIERS LEAD ACMON DOWN THE STEPS. HE DOES NOT RESIST. THE
PROCESSION PARTS TO MAKE WAY. THE EXPRESSIONS OF GOOD HUMOR, BROUGHT
TO THE GUARDS FACES BY ACMONS AND
OEDIPUS LAUGHTER, CHANGE TO FEAR -- BOTH OF AND FOR
ACMON. A GUARD TOUCHES OEDIPUS. HE TURNS, BUT DOES NOT
PROCEED.
OEDIPUS: Why?
HE LOOKS FROM FACE TO FACE. NO ONE MEETS HIS GAZE. HE LOOKS AT THE CLOSED
DOORS AT THE END OF THE CORRIDOR.
OFFICER OF THE HONOR GUARD: We must proceed.
THE GUARDS START TO MOVE. OEDIPUS WALKS WITH THEM RELUCTANTLY.
THE PROCESSION REACHES THE GREAT DOORS. THOUGH WE HAVE SEEN THESE
DOORS BEFORE, NOW IT IS THROUGH OEDIPUS EYES WE STUDY THEM.
THEY ARE CARVED WITH A DESIGN OF WRITHING SERPENTS, PRIMITIVE, SINISTER.
SLOWLY, THE DOORS SWING OPEN.
GUARD B WHISPERS TO OEDIPUS: Not the Queen --
Creon. Creon.
OEDIPUS TURNS QUICKLY, BUT THE GUARD HAS ALREADY GONE THROUGH
THE SERPENT DOORS, AND OEDIPUS IS NOT EVEN SURE WHICH GUARD
SPOKE.
*
AT EITHER SIDE OF THE THRONE ROOM STAND NOBLES IN COURT DRESS.
BEHIND THEM, LINING THE WALLS, IS A DOUBLE ROW OF GUARDS,
CREONS MEN IN FRONT, JOCASTAS BEHIND.
OEDIPUS STOPS IN THE DOORWAY. DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM HIM IS THE
UNOCCUPIED DOUBLE THRONE OF THEBES. CREON STANDS BESIDE IT
FACING OEDIPUS. THE QUEEN, HER BACK TO THE ROOM, STANDS
IN THE BALCONY DOORWAY, HAEMON, BESIDE HER.
LORD DYMAS: FROM BESIDE THE DOOR, ANNOUNCES: The
hero of Thebes. He whom the Gods have chosen to solve the Riddle of the
Sphinx. He whom the Gods have sent to save our great land.
DYMAS LOOKS FROM OEDIPUS TO THE QUEEN. CREON
TAKES A STEP FORWARD, THEN PAUSES. EVERYONE ELSE IS MOTIONLESS.
JOCASTA TURNS SLOWLY. OEDIPUS, EVEN ACROSS THE DISTANCE OF
THE VAST ROOM, IS IMMEDIATELY CAPTIVATED BY JOCASTAS BEAUTY.
HE WATCHES HER INTENTLY AS SHE DESCENDS THE STEPS. SHE MOTIONS FOR HIM TO
ADVANCE. SLOWLY THEY MOVE TOWARD EACH OTHER. OEDIPUS, DAZZLED BY HIS
SURROUNDINGS, BEGINS TO REGISTER THE ENORMITY OF THE OCCASION.
JOCASTA: SPEAKS SOFTLY, GENTLY, ALMOST AS IF TO A CHILD.
The hero?
OEDIPUS AND JOCASTA, STILL SEVERAL YARDS APART, STOP AND STAND
MOTIONLESS. THERE IS SILENCE THROUGHOUT THE THRONE ROOM. THEN, WITHOUT
TAKING HIS EYES FROM HER, OEDIPUS ADVANCES AND KNEELS.
OEDIPUS: Your Majesty. HE BOWS HIS HEAD.
JOCASTA: GENTLY. You are very young.
AFTER A MOMENT, OEDIPUS LOOKS UP TO HER. You have
outwitted the Sphinx. She is no more. Is that true?
AS SHE LOOKS DOWN AT OEDIPUS, THE EMERALDS OF THE SERPENT
CROWN, MOVING SLIGHTLY, CAUSE POINTS OF GREEN LIGHT TO DANCE ACROSS HIS
UPTURNED FACE.
OEDIPUS: SPEAKS QUIETLY, HIS WORDS SLOWED DOWN TO A
DREAM-LIKE PACE. HE IS AS HYPNOTIZED BY JOCASTA AS HE WAS BY THE
SPHINX. A winged creature, with the head of a woman, threatened my life. She
said she would devour me if I did not solve her riddle. I solved it.
And she.... she... laughed... and screamed... and flung herself from
the cliff... and died at my feet. If that was the Sphinx, then the
Sphinx is dead.
JOCASTA: Were you.... Frightened?
OEDIPUS: Frightened? I dont know, your
Majesty. I
dont think I was.
JOCASTA: THIS SEEMS TO PLEASE HER. SHE SMILES.
Indeed? Perhaps our fear has exaggerated this monster. Rise. SHE
GESTURES AND OEDIPUS STANDS UP. What is your name?
OEDIPUS: Oedipus.
JOCASTA: AMUSED, SMILING, ALMOST LAUGHING.
Oedipus? Thats a peculiar name, isnt it?
THE INTENSITY BETWEEN THEM IS BROKEN. A FEW OF THE NOBLES ALSO
RELAX, AMUSED.
OEDIPUS: SERIOUSLY. It doesnt seem strange to
me.
JOCASTA: SOBERED. Of course. -- What was the
answer?
OEDIPUS: PUZZLED, AS IF JUST WAKING. Forgive me,
your Majesty. What answer?
JOCASTA: The Riddle of the Sphinx. What was the answer?
OEDIPUS: Man.
JOCASTA: Man? I see. That doesnt sound
very difficult. Was it?
OEDIPUS: No.
JOCASTA: But it is provocative.
CREON: STEPPING FORWARD. A rather simple answer.
No doubt, to a simple riddle.
HIS WORDS SHATTER THE SPELL THAT HAS ISOLATED JOCASTA AND
OEDIPUS.
OEDIPUS: It killed the Sphinx.
THE PEOPLE IN THE ROOM ARE STARTLED BY OEDIPUS
CHALLENGE.
CREON: Meaning?
OEDIPUS: Are you Creon?
CREON: I am.
OEDIPUS: Then you know what I mean.
JOCASTA TAKES A STEP FORWARD, FEARFUL, TRYING TO DEFLECT THE
IMPENDING CONFLICT.
JOCASTA: Clever Oedipus. Im not surprised the
Sphinx fell at
your feet. Tell me the riddle -- that brought death to so many of our
men.
OEDIPUS: Dont you know the riddle, my Queen?
JOCASTA: Only those whove met the Sphinx know the
riddle --
and they -- they are dead. She killed all those unable to answer her
riddle.
OEDIPUS: TO CREON: Perhaps you know the riddle.
CREON: If you want to play games, the time is ill
chosen.
OEDIPUS: Is death a game in Thebes? Answer the riddle of
one
mans death -- Lord Acmon.
A CURRENT OF SHOCK RUNS THROUGH THE ROOM.
OEDIPUS: Death for service?
CREON: You are a presumptuous boy.
OEDIPUS: LOUDER. I would like an answer.
CREON: I advise you to curb your curiosity.
OEDIPUS: I want to understand your Theban justice.
CREON: The functioning of our law does not require your
understanding, nor your sanction.
OEDIPUS: He was sent to answer the riddle. I had already
answered
it. Of what is he guilty?
HAEMON: STEPS FORWARD, CAUTIONING. Crimes
abound in Thebes.
OEDIPUS: GLANCES AT HAEMON, BUT TURNS AGAIN TO
CREON. Creon...
CREON: I am Prince of this House.
OEDIPUS: Your Highness...
JOCASTA: HER VOICE IS NOT LOUD, BUT IN THE QUIET, TENSE
ATMOSPHERE IT SOUNDS ALMOST LIKE A SCREAM. Oedipus!
CREON: ANGRILY TURNS TOWARD JOCASTA. SHE DRAWS
BACK IN
FRIGHT. CREON TURNS AGAIN TO OEDIPUS, SMILING
PLEASANTLY. The decrees of the Queen are not for you to
question.
OEDIPUS: TO JOCASTA. Was it your decree?
JOCASTA STARES AT OEDIPUS, SHAKING HER HEAD A LITTLE,
MORE IN FEAR OF HIS RECKLESSNESS THAN IN DENIAL OF HIS QUESTION.
CREON: Your Majesty. Was it your decree? Does the
Queen not hold
the power of life and death in this House.
ONE HAND RESTING ON HIS SWORD, CREON TURNS FROM JOCASTA,
ABOUT TO
SIGNAL THE GUARD.
HAEMON: IN A FIERCE WHISPER. No! Father...!
JOCASTA: WATCHING CREON, SHE SPEAKS IN A QUIET,
DEAD
VOICE, AS SHE TURNS TO OEDIPUS.
It was an unfortunate introduction to our court. I beg you to let it pass
without further comment.
OEDIPUS: SURPRISED. Your Majesty...
CREON: Enough! Your impudence is astonishing.
A FALTERING ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE TRUMPETS COMES IN OVER
CREONS WORDS. HIS HEAD JERKS UP TO STARE PAST OEDIPUS
TOWARD THE DOOR. KUPIA HAS PERSUADED ONE OF THE TRUMPETERS AT THE
DOOR TO MAKE THIS TRUMPET SALUTE. BUT THE YOUNG LAD, NERVOUS WITH
HIS OWN COURAGE, MAKES ONLY A SHY, OFF KEY SOUND, AND BREAKS OFF AS
EVERYONE TURNS TO STARE AT HIM -- AND AT KUPIA, WHO STANDS IN
THE DOORWAY BEARING A LAUREL WREATH ON A PILLOW. THE TENSION IN THE ROOM IS
BROKEN. SOME LAUGH. KUPIA, IN COMPLETE COMMAND OF HERSELF, POISED,
SMILING, INNOCENT, WALKS STRAIGHT TO JOCASTA AND KNEELS. SHE
EXTENDS THE PILLOW WITH THE WREATH ON IT. JOCASTA LOOKS AT
KUPIA IN DUMB AMAZEMENT.
KUPIA: BRIGHT-EYED, MISCHIEVOUS, WHISPERS:
The Laurels of Apollo, for the hero.
JOCASTA, REGAINING HER COMPOSURE, TAKES UP THE WREATH, AND TURNS
TO
OEDIPUS. KUPIA STEPS ASIDE. JOCASTA RAISES HER HANDS,
MOVES TO OEDIPUS, AND PLACES THE WREATH ON HIS HEAD. SLOWLY, SHE
LOWERS HER HANDS, THEN STEPS BACK. AGAIN OEDIPUS AND JOCASTA
ARE ISOLATED IN THE SPELL OF THEIR MUTUAL ATTRACTION.
JOCASTA: We Thebans... present... the Laurel Crown of
Victory ... to
you. To...
SHE BREAKS OFF, HESITATES, LOOKS BACK TO EITHER SIDE. HAEMON
AND CREON STAND TOGETHER TO HER RIGHT.
JOCASTA: Thank him, thank him for me. Reward him. I...
Please...
SHE GOES QUICKLY OUT ONTO THE BALCONY. WE HEAR A CHEER FROM THE
CROWD. CREON RESTRAINS HAEMON, WHO TRIES TO STEP
FORWARD.
CREON: In the name of the city of Thebes, in the name of
the Theban
Council, in my name, and in that of Queen Jocasta, Sovereign of all this
Land, I offer you our gratitude and gold, as was promised, a hundred
weight in gold, for answering the Riddle of the Sphinx.
HE MOTIONS TO A PAGE WHO HAS BEEN STANDING NEARBY HOLDING A
TRAY HEAPED WITH GOLD COINS.
CREON: This is but a token, the rest is held for your
demand in
our treasury.
THE PAGE STEPS FORWARD AND KNEELS. OEDIPUS LOOKS AT THE
GOLD, AND SMILES. HE TURNS FROM LOOKING AT THE GOLD TO LOOK AT
CREON AGAIN.
OEDIPUS: Thank you, your Highness. HE LETS SOME
OF THE COINS DROP THROUGH HIS FINGERS. I had heard of a
fabulous reward, as I walked through your streets.
CREON, AS ALERT AS A PANTHER, WATCHES OEDIPUS.
OEDIPUS: You are most generous.
CREON GIVES A CURT NOD, THEN TURNS AND GOES ONTO THE BALCONY TO JOIN
JOCASTA. OEDIPUS MOTIONS FOR THE PAGE TO STEP BACK. HE
IS ABOUT TO FOLLOW CREON, BUT HAEMON STEPS FORWARD.
JOCASTA AND CREON CAN BE SEEN ARGUING IN THE BACKGROUND.
HAEMON: I, as Head of the Theban Council, wish to add my
thanksgiving to that of Prince Creon. We owe you more than gold...
OEDIPUS WATCHES JOCASTA RATHER THAN HAEMON.
HAEMON: ...for delivering us from the Sphinx. Your
bravery buys
freedom, salvation
from the terror that has devastated this land. We bid you welcome...
*
SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE ABOVE:
CREON: ...insolent puppy, foolish and dangerous. You will
bring
this quickly to an end.
JOCASTA: Are you afraid of him, Creon?
SHE LAUGHS TAUNTINGLY.
*
HAEMON: CONTINUES:
...and beg you to remain in our city. Consider the gold but partial
payment. If there is anything more you desire, ask, and, if it is
within our power, it will be our pleasure to grant your wish.
AGAIN WE HEAR JOCASTAS LAUGHTER.
OEDIPUS: CONTINUES TO STUDY JOCASTA, WHILE HE
SPEAKS ABSENTLY. Thank you, my Lord. I have been traveling for a
long time. THEN, DIRECTLY TO HAEMON:
I am grateful for your kindness. I humbly accept your offer of
hospitality.
AGAIN HIS ATTENTION IS ATTRACTED TO THE BALCONY. JOCASTA MOVES
AWAY FROM CREON AND COMES TO THE BALCONY DOORWAY.
JOCASTA: Come here, handsome Oedipus. Show yourself to
the
people.
OEDIPUS HESITATES.
JOCASTA: ADDS GENTLY. Come, dont be
afraid. You can stand here, beside me.
SHE OFFERS HER HAND. OEDIPUS STILL HESITATES.
HAEMON: The Queen offers her hand, take it. Take
her
hand.
AFTER A MOMENT, OEDIPUS TAKES THE QUEENS HAND AND THEY
GO OUT ONTO THE BALCONY. WE HEAR A GREAT SHOUT FROM THE
CROWD, AND REVERBERATING APPLAUSE.
CREON: ANGRILY TO HAEMON.
That was foolish.
HAEMON: Listen to the people, Father. The Queen will
marry
Oedipus.
CREON GIVES A SHORT CONTEMPTUOUS LAUGH AND WALKS AWAY FROM
HAEMON.
*
THE CROWD CHEERS JOCASTA AND OEDIPUS AS THEY STAND
TOGETHER ON THE BALCONY. JOCASTA LOOKS OUT AT THE PEOPLE;
OEDIPUS CONTINUES TO WATCH HER.
JOCASTA: Theyre in love with you.
OEDIPUS: A riddle solver?
JOCASTA: A hero. Who knows? SHE SMILES, TURNING TO
HIM. Perhaps a God.
OEDIPUS: RETURNING HER SMILE.
No. -- A man.
CROWD: WITHIN THE CHEERING, WE HEAR SEPARATE SHOUTS,
REPEATEDLY, OF:
Long Live The King! Long live the hero! The
King! The Queen! The King!
OEDIPUS: Why did you assume Creons guilt?
JOCASTA: It belongs to all our House.
OEDIPUS: Acmon was kind to me.
HAEMON, IN THE DOORWAY TO THE BALCONY, WATCHES AS A LIGHT WIND
BLOWS JOCASTAS VEIL ACROSS HER FACE. OEDIPUS LIFTS
IT BACK. SHE SMILES AT HIM. OEDIPUS LETS HIS HAND REST ON HER
SHOULDER.
OEDIPUS: NODS TOWARD CREON, Who is
he?
JOCASTA: Prince Creon? My brother.
OEDIPUS WITHDRAWS HIS HAND.
***
JOCASTA
PART II
***
HAEMON COMES FORWARD TO STAND BESIDE OEDIPUS AND
JOCASTA ON THE BALCONY. HE SMILES AT JOCASTA, BUT SHE DOES NOT
RETURN HIS SMILE.
HAEMON: TO OEDIPUS: The Laurels of
Victory suit you.
OEDIPUS: Any man is pleased to receive them.
HAEMON: TO JOCASTA:
Did you tell Kupia to bring the laurels?
JOCASTA: No.
HAEMON AND JOCASTA AMUSED, BOTH LAUGH. OEDIPUS,
OFFENDED, STARTS TO TAKE OFF THE WREATH. HAEMON STEPS IN FRONT OF
JOCASTA TO STOP HIM.
HAEMON: Those leaves may have saved your life. You must
be
cautious.
MANY NOBLES HAVE COME ONTO THE BALCONY. OEDIPUS LOOKS FROM
HAEMON TO JOCASTA, AND TO THOSE SURROUNDING HIM -- AND SAYS
NOTHING.
*
CREON, WALKING ACROSS THE THRONE ROOM,
PAUSES BY
KUPIA.
CREON: Who told you to bring that thing?
KUPIA: The good God Apollo and my good sense.
CREON: You are a little serpent.
HE PINCHES HER CHEEK WITH A GRIMACE OF DISTASTE/DESIRE. SHE BACKS AWAY.
CREON WALKS ON. SHE CALLS AFTER HIM.
KUPIA: I had a hard time finding enough leaves.
CREON SHRUGS, WALKS ON. AS HE APPROACHES A GROUP OF NOBLES,
THEY STOP TALKING. CREON LOOKS FROM ONE TO ANOTHER, THEN, GAZES
POINTEDLY, AT OEDIPUS.
CREON: Do you know him? NO ONE RESPONDS.
A hero?
CREON: TURNS TO A NOBLE. Have the
rooms in the north wing readied.
THE NOBLE NODS AND EXITS. CREON TURNS TO ANOTHER
NOBLE.
CREON: Well, Branchus, what do you think of him?
BRANCHUS: Young... arrogant...
THERE IS A LOUD SHOUT FROM THE CROWD. BOTH BRANCHUS
AND CREON LOOK TOWARD THE BALCONY FOR A MOMENT.
BRANCHUS: ...potentially a threat, but...
CREON: Teiresias has already denounced him. But his
mumblings
wont convince everyone. Well need...
THERE IS ANOTHER SHOUT.
OEDIPUS, JOCASTA, HAEMON, LAUGHING, ENTER
FROM THE BALCONY.
JOCASTA: To hear such joy! Haemon, we ought to have an
annual riddle
contest!
OEDIPUS: With only one answer.
JOCASTA: Yes. Man -- or -- wo-man.
OEDIPUS SMILE MATCHES HERS, THEN HIS FACE SOBERS AS HE NOTICES
SOMEONE ACROSS THE ROOM. POLYPHONTES IS HALF TURNED AWAY, TALKING
WITH A SOLDIER. OEDIPUS, FROWNING, STUDIES HIM, THEN LOOKS INTENTLY
FROM ONE FACE TO ANOTHER IN THE CROWDED ROOM.
JOCASTA : Did you come from far away to save
our city?
OEDIPUS: I didnt come to save Thebes.
HIS GLANCE RETURNS TO POLYPHONTES
OEDIPUS: I didnt even know I had until I met Lord
Acmon.
THEN HE LOOKS AT JOCASTA.
JOCASTA: You might have turned back and gone another
way.
OEDIPUS: Yes. Perhaps...
JOCASTA: How close to ones destiny can one be --
and still
turn back.?
OEDIPUS: I had no destination.
JOCASTA: We act in darkness. Or is it better to say:
destiny acts in
us...? SHE SMILES.
OEDIPUS: FINISHING HER THOUGHT. ...darkly.
ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROOM, CREON IS TALKING WITH A GROUP OF
NOBLES.
NOBLE: Your offer is enticing.
CREON: See that my generosity is taxed.
BRANCHUS: Yes, my Lord.
CREON STARTS TOWARD OEDIPUS AND JOCASTA.
JOCASTA: CLAPS HER HANDS: Lord Dymas, prepare
quarters for our hero.
CREON: I will show the hero to his rooms.
JOCASTA: As you wish. Make him comfortable. Oedipus
will be our
guest for as long as he wishes.
OEDIPUS: I humbly thank you, most gracious Queen.
JOCASTA: You may go.
OEDIPUS MAKES A SLIGHT BOW AND STEPS AWAY FROM JOCASTA.
CREON WALKS WITH OEDIPUS TOWARD THE DOOR.
JOCASTA:: WANTING TO DETAIN HIM. You are
limping.
Are
the stones of Thebes so cruel?
OEDIPUS: No, my Lady.
JOCASTA: Did the Sphinx hurt you?
OEDIPUS: SMILING. No. Not at all.
JOCASTA: Do you always limp?
OEDIPUS: Its the reason for my peculiar name.
JOCASTA: Oh.
OEDIPUS: I was injured in an accident long ago.
JOCASTA: Did you have a different name before that?
OEDIPUS: I dont remember.
HAEMON: Perhaps one of our Theban doctors can correct the
misfortune.
OEDIPUS: I wish it were possible.
JOCASTA: All things are possible.
CREON: Come.
CREON TAKES OEDIPUS ARM. OEDIPUS PULLS AWAY, BUT
JOCASTA NODS. OEDIPUS THEN TURNS, GOES WITH CREON.
CREON SIGNALS TO A GROUP OF GUARDS TO FOLLOW THEM AS THEY
LEAVE THE THRONE ROOM.
JOCASTA: CLAPS HER HANDS All of you, you may
go.
HAEMON: Since the court is gathered...
JOCASTA: No. SHE CLAPS HER HANDS AGAIN. You may go.
THE NOBLES, SOLDIERS, GUARDS BEGIN TO DISPERSE.
*
OEDIPUS AND CREON, WALKING DOWN A WIDE HALLWAY, ARE
FOLLOWED BY FOUR OF CREONS SOLDIERS AND TWO OF
JOCASTAS GUARDS -- ONE OF WHOM IS POLYPHONTES.
BEHIND THEM, NOBLES, GUARDS AND SOLDIERS EMERGE
FROM THE THRONE ROOM AND DISPERSE IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. SOME FOLLOW
OEDIPUS AND CREON AT A DISTANCE, BEFORE TURNING OFF INTO
SIDE CORRIDORS.
CREON: I hope youre not in pain.
OEDIPUS: Im quite used to it.
CREON: Where are you from?
OEDIPUS: Another land.
CREON: SMILING. I could wish for a more specific
answer.
OEDIPUS: I cannot give you a more specific answer.
CREON: Have you been traveling alone?
OEDIPUS: Alone.
CREON: And unarmed?
OEDIPUS: Unarmed.
CREON: Thats perhaps foolish in this barren land.
There are
bandits on the highways, thieves. Do you always travel that way?
OEDIPUS: Your Highness?
CREON: Alone and unarmed.
OEDIPUS: I have no cause to carry weapons.
CREON: Of course. Thebes is a land of peace.
OEDIPUS: But not prosperous.
CREON: You are very outspoken.
OEDIPUS: I saw people in rags, hollow-eyed, hungry.
CREON: Every state has its beggars.
OEDIPUS: Villages abandoned...
THEY TURN A CORNER TO WALK DOWN ANOTHER CORRIDOR.
OEDIPUS: Would a prosperous land offer its Queen for the
solving
of a riddle?
CREON: I have heard such a rumor
myself.
OEDIPUS: Your people seem to welcome the
idea.
CREON: They talk of many things. AFTER A MOMENT,
CREON CONTINUES GOOD-NATUREDLY. A hundred weight in gold
is not a small sum. Kingdoms have been
purchased for less.
OEDIPUS LOOKS AT HIM, BUT DOES NOT SPEAK.
CREON: SMILES. Youre an intractable lad.
THEY HAVE REACHED THE ROOMS IN THE NORTH WING.
CREON: Well find time to become better acquainted.
*
ONE OF THE GUARDS OPENS THE DOOR. OEDIPUS AND
CREON STEP INTO THE FIRST OF THE NORTH ROOMS.
CREON: I hope you will be comfortable.
OEDIPUS QUIETLY LOOKS AROUND THE ROOMS WHICH ARE MORE
SUMPTUOUSLY FURNISHED THAN THE OTHER ROOMS OF THE PALACE. HOWEVER, THE
FURNISHINGS ONLY PARTIALLY CONCEAL THE FACT THAT THESE ROOMS SERVE AS A
PRISON.
CREON: There are games for your amusement, scrolls can be
obtained if you
read. The Queen maintains a library. I think there are other things more
worthwhile, but... Works of our craftsmen...
OEDIPUS OPENS A DOOR INTO A SECOND ROOM WHERE THERE ARE NO
WINDOWS.
CREON: If you are interested in armor, youll find
some in
there. I collected it when I was a boy. My father was a great warrior.
OEDIPUS TURNS TO LOOK AT CREON WHO HAS REMAINED AT THE
HALL DOOR.
CREON: My father, Menoeceus, son of the Queen of Thebes,
governed
this land before King Laius. There were great wars, glorious festivals,
prosperity -- then -- famine and plague. The Gods wanted a sacrifice, a
Sown Mans blood. My father jumped from the battlement -- to
appease the Gods.
OEDIPUS IS PUZZLED BY THIS INFORMATION -- AND WARY.
CREON CROSSES THE OUTER ROOM TO LOOK THROUGH A BARRED WINDOW.
CREON: These are the rooms Laius gave me as a boy. The
Queens, Jocastas -- my sisters -- were across the
hall. As you can see, we lacked for nothing. We were very happy
children. Learning life, learning war, learning to rule. And now...
CREON SMILES TO BRIDGE OEDIPUS LACK OF RESPONSE.
CREON: Now? Now, you have killed the Sphinx. Our
venerable seer
predicted that when the curse of the Sphinx was lifted, prosperity would
return. Perhaps you noticed the two great tunnels through the cliffs.
OEDIPUS: An amazing accomplishment.
CREON: Long ago, the bronze bearing Minyans, drained the
Copaic
fields and Hercules channeled the Cephissus river into the sea. My
father began a project to recapture that water to feed new land. One day
the desert will bloom -- to the horizon -- from each of Thebes
seven gates.
OEDIPUS: A wonderful vision.
CREON: King Laius was killed recently.
IT TAKES A MOMENT FOR CREON TO DECIDE TO GO ON -- (HES
NOT USED TO CRITICIZING THE KING, DEAD OR ALIVE.)
CREON: He brought much treasure from his wars, but he
lived in
splendor within our -- poverty -- like a Pharaoh. Demanding sustenance
for his army, he ravaged the land, always demanding more from our
treasury -- it is almost empty. Now the land is... As you have seen.
Renewal is difficult, endless, dangerous, the people...
OEDIPUS: I would like to rest.
CREON: Forgive my dreaming. You cannot love this land as
I do.
OEDIPUS: I am very tired.
CREON: Perhaps you will remain with us to witness a new
golden age in
Thebes.
OEDIPUS: I have walked your land, it is beautiful. I have
seen your
Queen, she is beautiful.
CREON: A BIT TAKEN ABACK BY THIS -- THREAT? If you
need anything, there will be soldiers outside your door to attend to
your wishes.
OEDIPUS: My humble thanks.
CREON: Food will be sent.
OEDIPUS: The weary traveler appreciates your generosity,
Prince
Creon.
CREON: A pleasant rest.
CREON LEAVES. OEDIPUS CLOSES THE DOOR. ALONE, HE REMOVES
THE LAUREL WREATH AND DROPS IT ON A TABLE CIRCLING A SMALL STATUE
OF THE CRETAN SNAKE GODDESS. HE BEGINS TO EXAMINE THE ROOMS.
*
CREON, TALKING WITH THE GUARDS OUTSIDE OEDIPUS DOOR.
CREON: Admit no one. Inform me of anyone who comes.
GUARD: Yes, my Lord.
CREON: I could be persuaded of a years pay to know
who he
is. HE DISMISSES THREE OF THE GUARDS. Return to
your
quarters. Order refreshments for our guest.
GUARD: From the soldier's kitchen?
CREON: Our hero has no doubt been a soldier.
CREON GOES TOWARD THE THRONE ROOM. THE THREE GUARDS GO IN
ANOTHER DIRECTION. POLYPHONTES, WHO WEARS THE GOLD UNIFORM OF
THE QUEENS GUARDS, IS ONE OF THE THREE REMAINING GUARDS,
THE OTHER TWO WEAR CREONS BLUE.
*
THE THRONE ROOM IS EMPTY, EXCEPT FOR JOCASTA -- WHO STANDS IN
THE DOORWAY TO THE BALCONY -- AND HAEMON, ACROSS THE ROOM, WHO
SOUNDLESSLY CLOSES THE GREAT DOORS AS THE LAST OF THE NOBLES
LEAVE. THEY REMAIN, FOR A WHILE, ON EITHER SIDE OF THE ENORMOUS EMPTY
ROOM. THEN HAEMON CROSSES TO JOCASTA, WHO TURNS, SEES HIM,
AND TURNS AWAY AGAIN TO WATCH THE RESTLESS CROWD WHICH
STILL LINGERS BEYOND THE GATES.
HAEMON: Announce your marriage.
JOCASTA SHAKES HER HEAD.
*
A MINOR SCUFFLE BREAKS OUT BETWEEN SOME TOWNSPEOPLE AND TWO OF
THE SOLDIERS. JOCASTA STEPS FORWARD, JUST ENOUGH TO BE
SEEN BY A FEW PEOPLE, AND RAISES HER HAND. THE SCUFFLE IS QUICKLY
BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL, AND IS FOLLOWED BY SOME LAUGHTER.
*
HAEMON: They will give their loyalty to Oedipus, to you.
It will give you the power to succeed.
JOCASTA: Power -- is that what I need? I offered my
hand to
defy Creon. I didnt expect the hero to be younger than you are.
HAEMON: Does that matter? Hes strong, unafraid to
speak. You
and I have always loved each other. What does his age matter -- if he
is as brave as he seems?
JOCASTA IS SILENT FOR A LONG TIME.
JOCASTA: Creon sold me to Laius -- to shore up his claim
to the
throne. I asked him, Creon -- my brother, your father -- to make love
to me. I wanted to be loved by someone I love, someone who loved me,
before Laius -- our rapacious uncle -- raped me. Does that shock you?
HAEMON: You need an ally. Oedipus has already challenged
Creon.
JOCASTA: You dont answer me.
HAEMON: I think I knew, my love, long ago.
JOCASTA: I must find peace, the will to rule -- within
myself.
SHOUTING FROM THE CROWD IS HEARD.
HAEMON: Theyll not wait long. Theyll fight
for a new
king.
JOCASTA: AS SHE SPEAKS TEARS COME INTO HER EYES.
Creon and I have shared everything since childhood. We share the same
vision of this land -- orchards everywhere, abundance, persimmons,
oranges, figs, a cornucopia. He taught me, ruled me.
Ive seen him beat a man to death with his bare hands. He and Laius
used soldiers like fighting cocks. Now, Laius would command:
one of you will survive. Blood splashed, Laius laughed,
Creon drank and bet fortunes against him. You were too young to join in
our festivities.
I have seen Creon walk naked in the rain, kiss the earth, weep for its
bounty. But he is a warrior, a Greek warrior from Thebes -- the most
warring realm of Boeotia. He loves our land, but he loves bloodshed
more.
I read, I studied, I tried to understand a nature so divided, such
cruelty, such tenderness. He would hold me in his arms to describe the
killing, the dying, the fighting, the hunting. He cant forget that
he was born to be a king. Perhaps a God might have the power to curb his
nature.
HAEMON: Perhaps Oedipus can.
JOCASTA: More bloodshed? A peaceful king? Can I
be a
peaceful queen?
HAEMON: Creon is ready to call out the soldiers.
Down with the
House of Laius -- can you hear them?
JOCASTA TURNS INTO THE ROOM, PAUSES BESIDE THE DOUBLE THRONE,
TAKES THE EMERALD CROWN FROM HER HEAD. MORE SHOUTING IS HEARD.
JOCASTA: I am sick of bloodshed.
HAEMON: The people are hungry. Its their blood
that will be
shed. Marry Oedipus. Let the people give you your freedom -- and
power.
HAEMON: LIFTS HER HAND THAT HOLDS THE CROWN:
Put
it on.
TOGETHER THEY PLACE THE CROWN ON HER HEAD. HAEMON EMBRACES HER.
FOR A MOMENT SHE ALLOWS HERSELF TO RELAX IN THE SECURITY OF HIS ARMS.
THEN SHE STEPS BACK.
JOCASTA: I need to think. I must to go to my room. I
need to
think.
HAEMON: Act, Jocasta. It is time to act.
SHE STARTS DOWN THE STEPS. HAEMON PUTS HIS ARM AROUND HER AS THEY
WALK SILENTLY ACROSS THE THRONE ROOM.
[IF ONE WANTS TO DIVIDE PART I AND
PART II LATER THAN INDICATED, IT MIGHT BE DONE HERE.]
*
SOLDIERS LINE THE INSIDE PERIMETER OF THE PALACE COURTYARD. THE
AFTERNOON SUN BEGINS TO CAST SHADOWS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE GATES
ACROSS THE COURTYARD. WE HEAR OCCASIONAL SHOUTS, BITS OF SONG, SOME
CHEERING.
*
AT THE TOP OF THE PALACE STEPS, CREON TALKS TO A SOLDIER,
THEN HE ENTERS THE PALACE. THE SOLDIER COMES DOWN INTO THE
COURTYARD AND, IN A MOMENT, HIS ORDER ECHOES DOWN THE LINE OF
SOLDIERS.
SOLDIERS: Clear the courtyard. Clear the palace courts.
Clear the
palace courts, etc.
THE CROWD FALLS SILENT, BUT NO ONE LEAVES. THE ORDER IS REPEATED AND
ECHOED DOWN THE LINE AGAIN. THE CROWD REMAINS SILENT AND STILL. FROM
THE ATTITUDE OF THE SOLDIERS AND THE CROWD, WE SENSE THAT
Clear the palace courts, IS A TRADITIONAL, SOMEWHAT RHETORICAL
ORDER WHICH THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANY NECESSITY TO ENFORCE.
*
IN JOCASTAS RECEPTION ROOM, KUPIA IS LYING IN THE
SUN ON THE FLOOR NEAR THE BALCONY DOORS, READING FROM A PAPYRUS SCROLL.
APHRON IS SETTING OUT FOOD ON A SMALL TABLE. AS KUPIA
HEARS THE SOLDIERS ORDERING THE COURTYARDS TO BE CLEARED, SHE
GETS UP AND GOES TO LOOK OVER THE BALUSTRADE.
APHRON: Come in from there!
KUPIA: Will the Queen ride today? APHRON
SHRUGS
May I ride without her?
APHRON: Certainly not.
KUPIA: Whats going to happen, Mother?
APHRON: Im not a prophet. Ask Teiresias.
KUPIA: Did you see the hero?
KUPIA TAKES SOME GRAPES AND A FIG FROM THE TABLE.
APHRON: Kupia! You must not eat the Queens
fruit.
KUPIA: There isnt any other. Will she marry the
hero?
APHRON: Pick up the scrolls. You take advantage of the
Queens
generosity.
KUPIA: I wonder if he can read as well as I can?
APHRON: What nonsense.
KUPIA: When will I marry, mother?
APHRON: I pray the Gods youll remain a virgin.
KUPIA: Didnt you like being married, mother?
APHRON: Enough. Enough. Get your things.
KUPIA: AS SHE PICKS UP THE SCROLLS: I have never
seen the Queen look more beautiful. I would like to be in love.
APHRON: You fill your head with foolishness. The Queen
will marry because it is her duty.
KUPIA: The Prince might kill him.
APHRON: Hush! You must be careful of
Creon.
KUPIA: I was in the throne room, Mother. I
could feel the Queens heart beating. Oedipus, heard it, too. If I
were the Queen, I would have married him then. Do you know where
theyve taken him? -- to the north rooms. Theyve taken Acmon
to prison.
JOCASTA AND HAEMON ENTER AT THIS
MOMENT. HAVING OVERHEARD THE LAST OF KUPIAS WORDS,
JOCASTA SMILES.
JOCASTA: Youre better than
a whole system of spies.
APHRON: MOTIONING FOR
KUPIA TO LEAVE THE ROOM. If you teach a girl to read and
write, shes beyond control.
JOCASTA: Shes a huntress, Aphron -- and very brave.
Let her
shoot her arrows -- we will survive. TO KUPIA
The
hero is, perhaps, too recklessly unafraid of Creon. But you, brave
Kupia, should not be unafraid of Creon. He is a dangerous man.
APHRON: He is a dangerous man. He is...
JOCASTA: SURPRISED AT THE INTERRUPTION, HOLDS HER HAND UP
TO
SILENCE APHRON. TO KUPIA: Those leaves may
have saved Oedipus. But they will not save you.
KUPIA: Only those you love can hurt you.
APHRON: What nonsense.
JOCASTA: TO KUPIA Why do you say that? Come
here.
APHRON: Go to your room. You must not speak foolishness
to the
Queen.
JOCASTA IS STARTLED BY THE COUNTERMANDING OF HER ORDER. SHE
TURNS AWAY.
JOCASTA: Creon always wins.
KUPIA: Not any more.
APHRON: Not any more. Not in here.
JOCASTA: Give her the fruit, Aphron.
KUPIA LAUGHS WITH DELIGHT.
APHRON: I thought your Majesty might be hungry.
JOCASTA: Give it to her. We will ride later, Kupia, you
and I. You
may be the only one in this palace happy enough to laugh, young enough to
tell the truth.
KUPIA: TAKES THE BOWL OF FRUIT. Maybe one other.
JOCASTA: Perhaps. AS KUPIA LEAVES THE ROOM.
Well ride across the desert...
HAEMON: You must rest.
APHRON: Your Majesty should eat. Ill get more for
Lord
Haemon.
JOCASTA: Never mind, please go.
HAEMON HELPS HER TO TAKE OFF HER VEIL AND CROWN.
JOCASTA: Wait. TO APHRON. Take food to
Oedipus.
And he must have clothes.
See to that,
Aphron.
HAEMON: Take my things for him -- whatever you wish. My
man will
get them for you.
JOCASTA: Thank you, Haemon.
APHRON STARTS OUT.
HAEMON: And, Aphron...
HE OPENS A DRAWER IN A CHEST, TAKES OUT A GOLD DAGGER, WRAPS IT IN
JOCASTAS VEIL AND, GLANCING AT JOCASTA WHO GIVES A BARELY
PERCEPTIBLE NOD, HANDS IT TO APHRON.
HAEMON: Take this to him. Conceal it. AGAIN HE
GLANCES AT JOCASTA. Say: Its a present from
the Queen.
APHRON TAKES THE DAGGER AND, WITH A SLIGHT BOW, LEAVES THE
ROOM.
JOCASTA: You think hes in danger?
HAEMON: A prisoner is always in danger. You must fight
Creons...
his stranglehold on the soldiers, the guards.
JOCASTA: How? With my hands?
HAEMON: With Oedipus. Marry him.
JOCASTA: And Oedipus? Would he choose to marry me? -- to
risk his
life against Creon? For a moment he was angry -- thats all. He's
not a Theban.
HAEMON: He would risk his life for you.
JOCASTA WOULD LIKE TO BELIEVE THIS, BUT... SHE MOVES TO
THE
BALCONY DOORS, HAEMON FOLLOWS HER.
HAEMON: Do you think Creon will pack up his gold and wish
him a
happy journey? No wonder they call you the Mad Queen.
JOCASTA: Am I mad? I was not trained to rule.
HAEMON: Then let Creon rule.
JOCASTA: No.
HAEMON: Would you be less than a Queen?
JOCASTA: No.
HAEMON: Perhaps you are mad.
JOCASTA: Coercion, Haemon? Cut down my brother? Force
Oedipus to
choose -- our land?
HAEMON: Choose you! -- Jocasta! And you must choose
him.
JOCASTA: A SLIGHT INTAKE OF BREATH, THEN, TO HIDE HER
FEAR OF
COMMITMENT: Kill or be killed. Is that the whole human story?
Death. More death.
Even you, thats the first thing you think of: If hes in
danger, send him a weapon. I would keep the peace. The Queens
consort must keep the peace. No more wars, executions...
HAEMON: You cant philosophize with a warrior... a
murderer.
JOCASTA: But we must! Hes my brother.
HAEMON: My father.
CREONS VOICE: Haemon!
JOCASTA: He conquers everywhere.
AS CREON ENTERS THE ROOM, JOCASTA TURNS AND WALKS TOWARD
THE BEDROOM. THEN TURNS WITH A CHALLENGING SMILE TOWARD CREON.
JOCASTA: If peace brings life, what is death? Creon? Can
you answer that riddle? If life is peace, will death be more peaceful?
CREON: Im pleased to see you in such high spirits.
JOCASTA: Answer me!
CREON: Whose life?
JOCASTA: All life. All that grows, lives, finds
happiness.
CREON EATS FROM THE FOOD ON THE TABLE.
CREON: Its a pity our gardens have withered. We
could
walk
in the shade, discuss the ideas of our tutor.
JOCASTA: Does death answer all questions?
CREON: Death is death. It brings an end.
JOCASTA: What about murder?
CREON: Life begins -- in the mothers womb.
JOCASTA: Yes.
CREON: It lives, and eventually it dies. Is your riddle
answered?
JOCASTA: You are a merciless...
CREON: The Sphinx killed her unlucky victims, devoured
them. Haemon, can you answer our Queens riddle? She does not know
the answer. I do not know the answer.
HAEMON: Oedipus has been sent by the Gods to rule
Thebes.
CREON: Ah! Is that the answer? Jocasta? Yes?
No?
HE TURNS TO HAEMON: Do you think, Haemon, Prince Haemon,
my son,
that solving a riddle
qualifies a man to become king?
HAEMON: If it had been another man...
CREON: It is not another man! TO JOCASTA:
But he is handsome -- and young. No doubt he would make a
delightful husband -- after Laius.
HAEMON: Father!
CREON: Come now, Haemon. Jocastas human. Worlds
have been
won and lost for the color of a young mans eyes. Of course, you
know nothing of that. Its time to unlock the Seven Gates of
Thebes. Would you see to that?
HAEMON DOES NOT MOVE. CREON CONTINUES IRONICALLY.
CREON: I beg leave to speak with the Queen.
HAEMON STILL DOES NOT MOVE.
CREON: SHOUTS. Leave us!
HAEMON TURNS AND STARTS OUT. SHOUTING IS HEARD FROM THE
CROWD. HAEMON TURNS BACK TO CREON.
HAEMON: Father, Thebes is in danger. If anything
happens to
Oedipus...
CREON: Why, what would happen to Oedipus? I am not a
magician. I am
with the Queen. Then I will have my supper. Perhaps if you have seen to
the gates, you will join me for supper.
HAEMON: If the Queen does not marry Oedipus...
CREON: Very likely she will marry someone else!
JOCASTA: GENTLY. Haemon. Please go. Please.
WHEN HAEMON IS ALMOST TO THE DOOR.
JOCASTA: I left my veil in the throne room. Would you get
it for me? Please.
HAEMON HESITATES FOR A SINGLE STEP, BUT DOES NOT TURN. HE
EXITS.
CREON: I dont think Haemon understands you. Your
veil!
The
emerald crown! CREON HOLDS HER FACE TOWARD THE LIGHT.
I think youve painted your lips, too. Yes, Jocasta, you
are
beautiful. The scent of musk is unmistakable. You wonder what the source
of life is? Ask the bitch, the mare, the she-cat -- they can tell you.
HE KISSES HER ON THE LIPS. SHE NEITHER RESPONDS NOR STEPS
AWAY. SHE
CLOSES HER EYES.
CREON: Why your withdrawal? Why? Look at me. Im
your
brother. Are you
afraid? No? JOCASTA DOES NOT MOVE OR SPEAK.
CREON: Oedipus is young enough to be your son. SHE
STARES DEFIANTLY AT HIM. CREON CRIES IN A SUDDEN RAGE. By
the Gods, we are blessed that your son is dead!
JOCASTA: QUIETLY. Theres blood on your
hands.
QUITE INVOLUNTARILY CREON LOOKS AT HIS HANDS.
JOCASTA: My blood. Your own blood, too.
CREON: Would you defy the Gods?
JOCASTA: The Gods? You spoke with the Gods, didnt
you? Lip
to lip with the Gods. How did you make Laius believe it? If they spoke,
its you who defied them.
CREON: Youd have reveled in the fulfillment of
that
prophecy.
JOCASTA: Laius is dead and my son didnt kill him.
Did you
make Laius think he was immortal?
CREON: Who did kill Laius?
JOCASTA: STARTLED, SHE STARES AT HIM. What do you
mean?
CREON: Do you mourn him? -- your husband and your king.
JOCASTA: He was killed by bandits.
CREON: A king? I should think bandits would have
ransomed a king.
Unless they had... reasons... One hears rumors... Of course, rumors
disappear if one finds out the truth.
HE SMILES. JOCASTA WATCHES HIM CAREFULLY. HE SHRUGS.
CREON: If one feels free to travel unarmed through the
desert, on strange
highways -- its dangerous out there, a king was killed -- one might
have strange friends... Bandits? A young traveler...?
JOCASTA GRABS THE FRUIT KNIFE FROM THE TABLE TO STRIKE AT
CREON.
JOCASTA: You wont murder him!
CREON SQUEEZES HER WRIST. SHE DROPS THE KNIFE.
CREON: AMUSED. It is only speculation, Jocasta.
Idle
speculation.
JOCASTA: I would kill you if I could.
CREON: For a boy from nowhere? You tempt him with a
crown. Will he
accept? Oh yes, Jocasta, he will accept anything to have it.
HE TURNS HER TO FACE A FULL LENGTH MIRROR ON THE WALL.
CREON: Look at yourself. And think of him.
HE RELEASES HER ARM, AND AT THE SAME TIME PUSHES HER SO THAT SHE
STUMBLES AGAINST THE MIRROR.
CREON: The lust of a Queen is as blind as the lust of the
Gods.
AFTER A FEW MOMENTS LEANING AGAINST THE MIRROR, TURNING, HER BACK TO THE
WALL, JOCASTA RECOVERS AND SPEAKS WITH A NEW, NOT QUITE ARROGANT
AUTHORITY.
JOCASTA: I am the Queen. My word is the law. And -- I
have a
kingdom to offer.
CREON: You? rule? Youve never paid any attention to
the
crown -- other than that emerald bauble youre so fond of. You
rule? Youre a wife -- though not much of one. A child bride. You
cant want to rule. Replace Laius? Why, you couldnt
bring yourself to sit beside him -- or -- even kill him.
JOCASTA: Did you murder him?
CREON: Your madness peeps out even now.
JOCASTA: I didnt kill him. Did you?
CREON: No ones suggested you did. Ah, is this a
diversion --
from the boy?
JOCASTA: Hes not a murderer! Im not. The
murderers
I know are my brother, and the king you bartered me for.
But youll not kill an innocent boy -- who, by chance! --
ended this... this terrorism? -- this destruction of Thebes
youve caused accidentally? Intentionally?
Ill talk to Acmon. Hes a decent man. What bargain did you
strike with him? Did you think he wanted to be my husband? Did
you think I just wanted another man in my bed?
CREON: I did love you once -- as a girl, as my sister,
my
innocent, virgin sister afraid of her wedding night. You were so
beautiful Jocasta. Breathtakingly childlike -- beautiful, innocent.
JOCASTA: You changed all that, didnt you?
CREON: Youve changed it with your everlasting
mourning,
studying, philosophizing -- What good has it all done? Reading! Ha!
Reading is not ruling.
JOCASTA: I changed when you began to teach me your
kind of
politics: the deals, the bargains, how to take from the poor and give to
the rich, how to create wars! glory! wars! terror! wars! wars! There are
people all over Boeotia we have conquered and robbed. To what end? Why?
For the fun of it?
CREON: Youve always enjoyed the fruits of empire.
JOCASTA: You insisted I sit on the Council! You thought
it would
distract me from grief. It did. I learned all kinds of clever, shrewd
things. I learned your schemes, your ways. And I reject them.
CREON: To marry a pretty puppet. I didnt realize
what you
were up to when you offered your hand.
JOCASTA: I wanted to stop our monstrous inheritance, the
doomed, sordid, warring fate that possesses this House. But you
sent out the riddle solvers. You! Now, destiny has cheated you. A
stranger has wandered in. Someone beyond your control. Someone I
could love.
CREON: O Gods! spare me insight into the affairs of your
heart.
CREON STRIDES FROM THE ROOM. JOCASTA PUSHES HERSELF FROM THE
MIRROR AND MOVES TOWARD THE BEDROOM, UNFASTENING HER GOWN.
*
THE COURTYARD AT THE BACK OF THE PALACE IS EMPTY EXCEPT FOR TWO
GUARDS AND A SOLDIER. THE GUARDS OPEN THE GATE FOR THE
TWO SOLDIERS WHO ACCOMPANIED ACMON TO THE SPHINX.
BETWEEN THEM, THEY CARRY A LITTER ON WHICH THE DEAD SPHINX LIES.
HER BODY IS COVERED WITH A CLOTH, A BROKEN WING PROTRUDES. ON THE
BALCONY, ABOVE THIS COURTYARD, KUPIA STANDS WATCHING.
SOLDIER: Take it to the inner court.
KUPIA LEAVES THE BALCONY.
*
AT OEDIPUS DOOR, THE THREE GUARDS ARE RELAXED,
CHATTING.
2ND GUARD: A years pay?
POLYPHONTES: Maybe.
2ND GUARD: You know what Id do?
3RD GUARD: Get out of Thebes.
POLYPHONTES: If Creon would let you.
2ND GUARD: Ah, the gatesll be unlocked now.
POLYPHONTES: I wouldn't be too sure.
2ND GUARD LOOKS QUESTIONINGLY AT POLYPHONTES.
APHRON APPROACHES WITH SEVERAL GARMENTS DRAPED OVER HER ARM.
APHRON: Is this where the hero is?
3RD GUARD: Yes, Maam
APHRON: I have some clothes for him.
2ND GUARD: We cant let you in.
APHRON: Theyre sent by the Queen.
3RD GUARD: Cant do it.
APHRON: Does Creon want him to go naked?
2ND GUARD SHRUGS, LOOKS AT 3RD GUARD, WHO LAUGHS,
SUGGESTIVELY.
2ND GUARD: Hes not naked -- Apollo save you if he
was.
POLYPHONTES: STEPPING TOWARD APHRON.
Ill take
them in for you.
APHRON: I was told to give them to him myself.
POLYPHONTES: Ill give them to him...
WHISPERING.
...for the Queen.
APHRON HESITATES, THEN SHE HANDS HIM THE GARMENTS AND THE
VEIL-WRAPPED DAGGER.
APHRON: This is a present from the Queen. Will you say
that to
him?
POLYPHONTES NODS. APHRON STARTS TO WALK AWAY, TURNS
BACK.
APHRON: Ill be sending him some food. I hope
youll let
him eat.
2ND GUARD: To keep up his strength!
3RD GUARD: For the Queen!
THEIR QUIPS ARE FOLLOWED BY RAUCOUS LAUGHTER.
*
POLYPHONTES STEPS INTO OEDIPUS ROOM AND SHUTS THE
DOOR. HE DOES NOT SEE OEDIPUS, WHO STANDS STUDYING A MAP OF
THEBES ON THE WALL OF AN ALCOVE. POLYPHONTES DROPS THE CLOTHES
ON A BENCH, BUT KEEPS THE VEIL WRAPPED DAGGER. HE DRAWS HIS SWORD.
OEDIPUS TURNS AND, NOW SURE HE RECOGNIZES POLYPHONTES,
STEPS FORWARD.
OEDIPUS: Will you kill me now? I have no weapons, nor
did I
before.
POLYPHONTES: SHEATHES HIS SWORD. The Queen has
sent you a present.
HE HANDS THE VEIL-WRAPPED DAGGER TO OEDIPUS, WHO,
FEELING WHAT IT IS, STARTS TO UNWRAP IT.
POLYPHONTES: Dont unwrap it now.
OEDIPUS: Why not?
POLYPHONTES: Id rather not know what it is.
OEDIPUS: You already know what it is. HE FINISHES
UNWRAPPING THE DAGGER. From the Queen?
POLYPHONTES: GLANCES AT THE DOOR. Hide it.
Youre not safe. Do you know who it was that you killed on the
highway?
OEDIPUS: I killed no one.
POLYPHONTES: In Phocis?
OEDIPUS: I killed no one.
POLYPHONTES: I saw.
OEDIPUS: What did you see? Do you want me to buy your
silence? Speak if you want to. I killed no one.
POLYPHONTES STUDIES OEDIPUS FOR A MOMENT, THEN TURNS TO
LEAVE.
OEDIPUS: Take me to the Queen.
POLYPHONTES: I cant help you. OEDIPUS
LOOKS AT THE DAGGER IN HIS HAND. Youll never get by the
other guards.
POLYPHONTES EXITS. OEDIPUS STANDS FOR A MOMENT LOOKING AT THE
DAGGER, THEN THROWS IT ON THE BED.
*
POLYPHONTES, LEANS AGAINST THE CLOSED DOOR, THE TWO GUARDS
LOUNGE ON EITHER SIDE OF HIM.
*
IN THE SUNLIGHT OF THE INNER COURTYARD, TWO GUARDS STAND RIGIDLY
AT ATTENTION. THE DEAD SPHINX, STILL COVERED, LIES ON A LITTER
BETWEEN THEM. JOCASTA AND KUPIA, DRESSED IN RIDING
CLOTHES, ENTER. IT TAKES A FEW MOMENTS FOR THEIR EYES TO ADJUST TO THE
LIGHT. KUPIA WALKS TO THE SPHINX AND LIFTS THE CLOTH. THE
SPHINX HAS BEEN PUT BACK TOGETHER -- APPROXIMATELY -- STIFF,
PATCHED, SECTIONS OF IT ARE BOUND LIKE A MUMMY, HER FACE RESEMBLES THAT
OF A RENAISSANCE ANGEL. JOCASTA REGARDS IT WITH A FRIENDLY,
QUESTIONING EXPRESSION. KUPIA STUDIES JOCASTA, THEN HER
ATTENTION WANDERS ABOUT THE COURTYARD. AFTER AWHILE, TO BREAK THE
SILENCE, SHE SAYS:
KUPIA: She looks sweet.
JOCASTA: LAUGHS SILENTLY.
No wonder Creon doesnt want the people to see her. Do you suppose
she came from Egypt?
SHE MOVES TOWARD THE DOOR. KUPIA, SMILING AT THE GUARD,
PULLS A FEATHER FROM THE SPHINXS WING, THEN FOLLOWS
JOCASTA. THE GUARDS LAY THE CLOTH BACK OVER THE BODY.
*
JOCASTA AND KUPIA WALK IN SILENCE DOWN THE DARK STONE
PASSAGEWAY. A SMILE FORMING ON HER LIPS, JOCASTA WHISPERS TO
HERSELF:
JOCASTA: I think I shall marry the hero.
KUPIA: LAUGHS WITH DELIGHT. Yes, your Majesty.
SHE HANDS THE FEATHER TO JOCASTA. Here.
JOCASTA: What is it?
KUPIA: A present.
JOCASTA TAKES IT, PUZZLED.
From the Sphinx.
JOCASTA: HARSHLY.
Sometimes your antics show a want of good sense!
HOWEVER, SHE KEEPS TH E FEATHER AND TWISTS IT SLOWLY BACK AND
FORTH, AS SHE WALKS.
JOCASTA: I want to see Teiresias. Go for him, please.
Now.
Can you get in at the East Gate? KUPIA NODS.
I will be in the stables. You will have your ride.
KUPIA, TURNS BACK DOWN THE HALL, BREAKS INTO A SKIPPING RUN.
JOCASTA CONTINUES WALKING, STUDYING THE FEATHERS MOTION.
*
HAEMON, WALKING DOWN THE HALL IN THE NORTH WING, STOPS BEFORE THE
GUARDS AT OEDIPUS DOOR. THE GUARDS SALUTE.
HAEMON: Return to your quarters.
2ND GUARD: Our orders...
HAEMON: All of you.
THEY HESITATE.
If you are questioned, I bear the responsibility.
THE GUARDS MOVE OFF.
*
HAEMON WATCHES THEM GO, THEN, ENTERS THE ROOM, SHUTS THE DOOR
QUIETLY. OEDIPUS IS LYING ON THE COUCH -- ASLEEP. A TRAY OF
FOOD IS BESIDE HIM ON A TABLE. HAEMON STANDS LOOKING AT
OEDIPUS.
*
THE GUARDS ARGUE ON THE WAY TO THEIR QUARTERS:
2ND GUARD: We shouldnt have left.
POLYPHONTES: Hell lock you up as quickly as
Creon.
3RD GUARD: TO POLYPHONTES.
You were a fool to come back.
*
THOUGH THERE ARE MANY SOLDIERS IN THE BARRACKS, IT IS FAIRLY QUIET. A
GROUP OF SOLDIERS IS GATHERED AROUND CREON AS HE TALKS
WITH ONE OF THE OFFICERS.
CREON: I suspect hes more than an ordinary
traveler. It
shouldnt be difficult to find out where hes from.
OFFICER: Ill do my best.
CREON STARTS TO LEAVE, THEN TURNS BACK TO THE OFFICER AND
DRAWS HIM ASIDE.
CREON: I want a pyre built in the inner court. Use as few
men as
possible, trusted men.
THE OFFICER NODS. CREON LEAVES THE ROOM.
*
AS CREON COMES INTO THE CORRIDOR, THE THREE GUARDS FROM
OEDIPUS DOOR DUCK INTO A SIDE HALLWAY UNTIL CREON
HAS PASSED. THEY GLANCE AT EACH OTHER, ASHAMED OF THEIR FEAR. THEN THEY
ENTER THE SOLDIERS QUARTERS.
*
OFFICER: SEEING THE GUARDS Whats
this?
2ND GUARD: Haemons orders.
THE OFFICER STUDIES THEM, THEN SHRUGS AND TURNS AWAY.
*
IN OEDIPUS ROOM, IT IS ALMOST DARK. HAEMON STANDS
AT THE WINDOW THROUGH WHICH THE WALLS AND ANGLES OF THE PALACE TOWARD
THE EAST CAN BE SEEN. HEAVY SHADOWS ARE CAST BY THE LATE AFTERNOON SUN.
HAEMON: SPEAKING SOFTLY.
Oedipus...
OEDIPUS EYES OPEN, BUT HE REMAINS STILL, ONE HAND UNDER A
PILLOW -- HOLDING THE QUEENS DAGGER.
HAEMON: I wish I could let you sleep. Have you eaten? May
I pour you some
wine?
OEDIPUS SITS UP, BUT DOES NOT TAKE THE WINE. HIS HAND REMAINS
UNDER THE PILLOW.
HAEMON: Will you come with me?
OEDIPUS GLANCES AT THE CLOSED DOOR.
Theyre gone.
OEDIPUS: Creons order?
HAEMON: Mine.
HAEMON OPENS THE DOOR. SEEING A SERVANT DOWN THE HALL
LIGHTING TORCHES, HE CALLS TO HIM.
HAEMON: Give us some light.
THE SERVANT ENTERS AND LIGHTS SEVERAL LAMPS.
OEDIPUS: Is it night?
HAEMON: The suns not yet set. Its always
dark in the
palace.
THE SERVANT LEAVES, LEAVING THE DOOR OPEN.
OEDIPUS: Its cold as a tomb.
HAEMON: Take my cloak.
HAEMON TAKES OFF HIS CLOAK, OFFERS IT TO OEDIPUS.
OEDIPUS MAKES NO MOVE TO TAKE IT.
HAEMON: Take it.
HAEMON STEPS TOWARD OEDIPUS TO PUT THE CLOAK AROUND HIS
SHOULDERS. OEDIPUS BRINGS THE DAGGER FROM UNDER THE
PILLOW.
OEDIPUS: The Queen sent me a present.
HAEMON: I sent it to you.
OEDIPUS: Your generosity is overwhelming.
HAEMON: Your life is in danger.
OEDIPUS MOVES TOWARD THE OPEN DOOR.
Youre free to leave if you want to.
OEDIPUS: Is that the Queens wish?
HAEMON: The Queen has asked to see you. The Queen...
OEDIPUS: Yes?
HAEMON: ...offered her hand to whoever solved the
riddle.
OEDIPUS: To me?
HAEMON: To you.
OEDIPUS: Would you prevent it?
HAEMON: Ive come to persuade you.
OEDIPUS: WRYLY.
Your arguments are not very persuasive.
HAEMON: Here.
HAEMON GIVES HIS OWN DAGGER TO OEDIPUS.
OEDIPUS: The Theban legal system, impartial, unarguable,
fatal.
HAEMON: Look at them.
OEDIPUS: I see theyre identical -- writhing
serpents.
HAEMON: Its the symbol of our House.
Before Thebes was founded, a serpent lived in the land, killing,
devouring. Cadmus slew it and scattered the teeth. The Sown Men, sprang
up: Warriors. They killed each other -- all but five. Were their
descendants -- born of soil, blood, death.
OEDIPUS: Sons of a monster.
HAEMON: Every man has blood in his veins, on his hands,
his teeth -- and eagerly sheds it.
HAEMON POINTS TO OEDIPUS DAGGER.
HAEMON: On that one the serpent wears a crown. Do you
see it?
It was to be a
present for the Queens son.
OEDIPUS: Her son?
HAEMON: I had them made for us. Rather, my father
granted my wish
to have them made. He was proud of his son. At six I asked for daggers,
two golden daggers -- manly toys. We were going to be brothers. But
the King killed his son -- my father helped him -- righteously, legally,
I dont know how. I never saw the boy.
OEDIPUS: His own son?
HAEMON: With the blessings of the Gods.
OEDIPUS: Her son?
HAEMON: She and I used to play with those daggers. Wed
kill the
King and find the boy. But now the King is dead. Queen Jocasta longs to
end the butchery in this land.
OEDIPUS: Did you play at killing Creon?
HAEMON: He protected us from the King.
OEDIPUS: Im not for hire as a murderer.
HAEMON: No, I didnt mean that.
OEDIPUS: If the crown were his, it would one day be
yours.
HAEMON SHRUGS.
You dont want it? Why not?
HAEMON SAYS NOTHING. OEDIPUS WALKS TO THE
WINDOW. BEYOND THE ANGLES OF THE BUILDING CAN BE SEEN A NARROW SECTION
OF THE EAST COURTYARD, WHERE THE QUEEN IS RIDING. FROM TIME TO
TIME SHE PASSES ACROSS THIS NARROW SPACE, IN AND OUT OF THE LIGHT.
OEDIPUS: Have you ever seen a dead man?
HAEMON: In battle.
OEDIPUS: Do you want your father dead?
HAEMON
SHAKES HIS HEAD. I dont want your crown.
HAEMON: Bring peace to Thebes.
OEDIPUS: I have not the means.
HAEMON: Jocasta.
OEDIPUS: Jocasta is a Goddess.
HAEMON: Together -- youll see... She waits
for
you.
Come, I will take you to
her.
OEDIPUS AND HAEMON LEAVE THE ROOM.
JOCASTA PASSES IN THE DISTANCE.
*
TEIRESIAS, THE BOY AND KUPIA WALK TOWARD THE
PALACE. THE PEOPLE STAND ASIDE RESPECTFULLY FOR TEIRESIAS.
KUPIA KNOCKS AT A SMALL GATE. A GUARD LOOKS OUT. SHE
SMILES, MAKES A SIGN, THE GUARD OPENS THE GATE.
*
TEIRESIAS, THE BOY AND KUPIA ENTER, GO THROUGH A
TUNNEL-LIKE HALL AND OUT INTO THE EAST COURTYARD. JOCASTA RIDES
VERY FAST ROUND AND ROUND THE BARE, ENCLOSED COURTYARD, PASSING AGAIN
AND AGAIN THROUGH THE BEAMS OF FAILING SUNLIGHT. SEEING
TEIRESIAS SHE REINS IN, CALLING HAPPILY.
JOCASTA: Teiresias, my wise Teiresias, Im glad to
see you.
THE GUARD HELPS HER DISMOUNT, AND STARTS TO LEAD THE
HORSE AWAY.
JOCASTA: Let Kupia ride.
THE GUARD ASSISTS KUPIA TO MOUNT THE QUEENS
HORSE. KUPIA PERSUADES HIM TO SEAT THE BOY BEHIND
HER.
JOCASTA TO TEIRESIAS: Im sorry you were
ill.
TEIRESIAS: Ill?
JOCASTA: Creon said you were ill?
TEIRESIAS: At times your brother arranges the truth.
JOCASTA: ACKNOWLEDGING HIS WORDS WITH A QUIET LAUGH.
You
must help me.
TAKING HIS ARM, SHE LEADS HIM TOWARD A SHELTERED BENCH.
*
HAEMON AND OEDIPUS WALK DOWN A DARK CORRIDOR TOWARD AN
OPEN ARCHWAY. HAEMON CARRIES A TORCH.
OEDIPUS: Would he have let Acmon marry the Queen?
HAEMON: Conditionally. Acmon is a commoner. Creon could
have had his
children barred from the throne and himself declared heir.
OEDIPUS: Did Acmon agree to that?
HAEMON: He would have.
OEDIPUS: That would be signing his own death warrant.
HAEMON: GIVING OEDIPUS A SIGNIFICANT LOOK.
And if he antagonized Creon?
OEDIPUS: I see.
HAEMON: He might propose the same thing to you.
OEDIPUS LAUGHS.
HAEMON: Dont underestimate Creon.
HAVING REACHED THE OPEN ARCHWAY, HAEMON SLIPS HIS TORCH INTO A
HIGH WALL BRACKET. AS THE LIGHT STRIKES OEDIPUS, IT MAKES HIM
LOOK HUGE, MENACING.
HAEMON: WHISPERS -- ALMOST IN AWE. Who are you?
OEDIPUS: Oedipus, Prince Haemon. I have no father
and no
home.
HAEMON: Where are you from?
OEDIPUS: The desert. Where there is no comfort, but
there is
solitude, there is peace.
*
HAEMON AND OEDIPUS STEP FROM THE HALLWAY ONTO THE BALCONY
AT A POINT OVERLOOKING THE FRONT COURTYARD. THE NOISY, QUARRELSOME
CROWD IS NOW LARGER. REBELLION SIMMERS. THE LATE AFTERNOON SUN
CASTS THE CROWDS ELONGATED SHADOWS ACROSS THE COURTYARD.
HAEMON: They think you are a God. -- You dont have
to marry
the Queen. If you want the crown of Thebes, you can take it.
OEDIPUS REMAINS SILENT.
HAEMON: Just raise your hand.
AS OEDIPUS TAKES A STEP FORWARD, HAEMON QUICKLY
RESTRAINS HIM.
OEDIPUS: Youre a torn man, Haemon. Why didnt
you answer
the riddle?
HAEMON: I didnt try.
OEDIPUS: What if you had answered it?
HAEMON LETS HIS HAND DROP FROM OEDIPUS ARM.
OEDIPUS: Do you love her very much?
THE NOISE AND SHOUTING OF THE CROWD INCREASES.
HAEMON: Down with the House of Laius
-- can
you hear
them?
OEDIPUS: And she?
HAEMON: Come. She has asked for you.
*
IN THE COURTYARD, JOCASTA HAS FINISHED TELLING TEIRESIAS
ABOUT OEDIPUS.
JOCASTA: I want to marry him. Will you give me your
blessing?
TEIRESIAS: You have described a courageous young man, my
child.
Yet the omens... Could I have mistaken the omens? I give you my
blessing. May you be happy, may you be fruitful.
JOCASTA: Come, good Teiresias, you must talk to him.
JOCASTA RISES, HELPS TEIRESIAS TO HIS FEET, AND SIGNALS TO
KUPIA. THE GUARD HELPS KUPIA AND THE BOY
DISMOUNT.
*
THROUGH THE FOLLOWING SCENE KUPIA AND THE
BOY FOLLOW
JOCASTA AND TEIRESIAS AS THEY WALK THROUGH THE GLOOMY HALLS
TOWARD HER APARTMENT.
JOCASTA: Oedipus will be a good consort, a just king.
TEIRESIAS: Oedipus? Swollen foot? He who walks with
pain.
JOCASTA: Yes, he limps. His foot was injured in an
accident.
TEIRESIAS: A lame bird was caught today. There was no
feed in
him.
JOCASTA: Is that your omen, Teiresias?
TEIRESIAS: A man called foreigner will ignite chaos in
this land,
brother against brother, child against parent, parent against...
JOCASTA: Has Creon bribed you to say this?
TEIRESIAS: The Gods cannot be bribed.
JOCASTA: You have given me your blessing.
TEIRESIAS: Perhaps in haste, my child.
JOCASTA: Why do you back Creon and not me?
TEIRESIAS: I offer you my counsel. There are many men,
wait for
another.
JOCASTA: Will Creon ever wear the crown of Thebes?
TEIRESIAS: Many things will come to pass. Though they be
what you
would not wish, their cause will, perhaps, be very different.
JOCASTA: Was Laius death part of a scheme? Tell me.
Im
glad hes dead.
TEIRESIAS: Laius was killed far away where three ways
meet.
JOCASTA: Who killed him?
TEIRESIAS: No one knows his murderer.
JOCASTA: It was not my child. Think! Teiresias. Your
Gods are
often
wrong.
TEIRESIAS: The prophesies of the Gods must be looked to
and
feared.
*
THEY ARE NOW WALKING ALONG THE BALCONY.
JOCASTA: Is Creon plotting to kill me, too?
TEIRESIAS: You look not where the danger is.
JOCASTA: I shall marry the hero. The people worship
Oedipus.
TEIRESIAS: Worship is the prerogative of the Gods.
JOCASTA: His wisdom...
TEIRESIAS: Is the solving of riddles wisdom?
JOCASTA: A God can ask a riddle, but cannot or dare not
or will not
answer it. I saw your Sphinx.
SHE HOLDS UP THE FEATHER, LAUGHING, TOUCHING TEIRESIAS
WITH IT.
TEIRESIAS: You laugh at her body, Madame, but can you
account for her
spirit?
JOCASTA: What was her riddle?
TEIRESIAS: Ask the one who answered it.
THERE IS A GREAT SHOUT FROM THE CROWD OUTSIDE THE PALACE
GATES.
JOCASTA: Why didnt you answer the riddle?
TEIRESIAS: Why do you ask, Madame? The answer is
known.
JOCASTA: You have the Gods beguiled, dancing in the palm
of
your
hand. You and Creon.
TEIRESIAS: Madame knows her speech is blasphemous and
false.
JOCASTA: I know the will of the Gods is strangely compatible
with the
corruption of men.
TEIRESIAS: Madame...!
JOCASTA: Dont think I cant see, Teiresias. You
talk about
inner visions, but I have eyes! Gods will is Ares anger --
always bloody. You called it mysterious. Well, I defy the Gods,
Ill find my own way.
TEIRESIAS: Forbear! They will scourge you.
THEY ENTER JOCASTAS APARTMENT.
*
JOCASTA: With what? Death? Sorrow? Have I
known anything
else?
TEIRESIAS: There will come a time in your house when the
blind
shall see.
JOCASTA: OVERRIDING HIS WORDS, ALMOST SHOUTING.
They will say: During the reign of Jocasta and Oedipus, peace
overcame the warriors of Thebes. Peace!
TEIRESIAS: The Gods control our destiny.
JOCASTA: Perhaps, but right now, I do. For this while,
there will be an end to violence in my land.
TEIRESIAS: Your children, and their children, are
doomed.
JOCASTA: They, too, must learn. Why? Knowledge is always
for now.
Just now. Why? That I dont know.
TEIRESIAS: Madame will one day see who is the fool and
who is
blind.
SHOUTING FROM THE CROWD BECOMES LOUDER, MORE BELLIGERENT.
JOCASTA PLACES THE FEATHER FROM THE SPHINX ON THE TABLE
NEXT TO THE ARROW KUPIA HAS GIVEN HER EARLIER. AS SHE MOVES
TOWARD THE BALCONY, SHE REALIZES THAT KUPIA AND THE BOY
ARE NO LONGER FOLLOWING THEM.
JOCASTA: Where is Kupia?
TEIRESIAS TRIES TO FOLLOW JOCASTA. HE STUMBLES.
JOCASTA: Where is Kupia?
*
IN A COURTYARD, ALONG THE NORTH WALL OF THE PALACE, ARE A SERIES OF
STONE CAGES, SMALL, ROCK DUG ROOMS, WITH IRON GATED DOORWAYS. KUPIA
AND THE BOY WALK PAST THEM, PEERING QUICKLY INTO EACH.
KUPIA SPEAKS TO ONE OF THE GUARDS, WHO, AT THE MOMENT, IS
POLISHING HIS SWORD AND DAGGER.
KUPIA: Captain Asterius...
CAPTAIN ASTERIUS LOOKS UP, ASTONISHED TO SEE KUPIA IN THE
JAIL YARD.
KUPIA: Mother sends you her greetings.
ASTERIUS: Kupia! What are you doing here? Youre not
to be
here. You cant be in here! You know that. Creon will...
KUPIA: LAUGHS PRETTILY. ...put me in jail?
ASTERIUS: Its no light matter. These are difficult
times.
Creon needs all the cooperation he can get. to deal with...
KUPIA: The Sphinx is dead. The Queen asked me to speak to
Lord
Acmon.
ASTERIUS STUDIES HER, UNCERTAIN IF SHE IS TELLING THE TRUTH --
WHAT IT MEANS IF SHE IS.
KUPIA: Which cell is Lord Acmon in?
FINALLY, ASTERIUS SMILES. DECIDING TO INDULGE THE CHILD, HE
CHUCKLES AND NODS TOWARD A CELL -- SEPARATED FROM THE OTHERS.
KUPIA AND THE BOY MOVE QUICKLY TO THIS CELL.
KUPIA: IN AN IMPERATIVE WHISPER. Lord Acmon.
ACMON: Kupia?
KUPIA: Yes.
ACMON: Kupia?
KUPIA: Yes.
ACMON: SHOCKED, HE COMES TO THE CELL GATE, SPEAKS SOFTLY
BUT
FORCEFULLY: Kupia, why? You mustnt be here. Its
dangerous for you to come
here.
KUPIA: WHISPERING. Ill speak to the Queen.
Shell get you out of here.
ACMON: ADAMANTLY. You must not!
KUPIA: You did nothing wrong.
ACMON: GENTLY, BUT UNQUESTIONABLY DISMISSING HER:
Thank you for your concern. It is kind, thoughtful. But, go now.
KUPIA: Ill speak to the Queen.
ACMON: Please do not. I appreciate your bravery, your
goodness. But
you must go now! Dont speak to anyone, dont say you were
here.
THE BOY TUGS AT KUPIA, RELUCTANTLY SHE WALKS AWAY WITH
HIM. TURNS BACK AND WHISPERS JUST LOUD ENOUGH FOR ACMON TO
HEAR:
KUPIA: I did find the laurel leaves.
ACMON MANAGES TO SMILE, THEN TURNS AWAY. AS THEY LEAVE THE
JAIL YARD, THE BOY SAYS.
BOY: Hell fall on his sword.
KUPIA: What do you mean?
BOY: Acmon is an honorable man.
KUPIA: But he wont do that! He mustnt do
that! He
cant do that!
SHE GRABS THE BOYS HAND, RUNS BACK TO ASTERIUS.
ASTERIUS: Whats this? You children cant be
playing
around in here. Its my mistake to let you talk to Lord Acmon in the
first place.
KUPIA: You have to protect him! Protect him! The Queen is
going to
marry Oedipus! Hell be free in just a day or two.
ASTERIUS: Well, of course hes protected. How much
more
protected can you get than behind bars.
LIKE A KINDLY UNCLE, HE LAUGHS AT HIS OWN LITTLE JOKE.
BOY: But he has his sword?
ASTERIUS: Of course he has his sword, you dont
deprive a Lord
of his sword, just because hes in jail.
KUPIA: But you must!
ASTERIUS: O now, come now Kupia, youre a grown
girl. You
mustnt interfere with mens affairs. Everything will be fine.
KUPIA: And if it isnt?
ASTERIUS: Well! Im responsible.
KUPIA: Ill be back!
KUPIA STARTS TO RUN AND THE BOY RUNS TO CATCH UP WITH
HER. ASTERIUS ISNT QUITE CERTAIN IF HE FEELS AMUSED OR
THREATENED.
*
HAEMON AND OEDIPUS WALK ALONG THE BALCONY. BELOW THEM, ON
THE PALACE PORCH, BEFORE THE GREAT DOORS, STANDS CREON. THE
SHADOWS OF THE RESTLESS CROWD CAST BY THE SETTING SUN, REACH TO
HIS FEET.
*
JOCASTA, IN HER RECEPTION ROOM, ALARMED AT NOT FINDING KUPIA,
CALLS.
JOCASTA: Aphron! Aphron! Aphrodite!
JOCASTA RETURNS TO THE BALCONY. SENSING HER PRESENCE,
TEIRESIAS AGAIN WARNS HER. THE NOISE OF THE CROWD
INCREASES.
TEIRESIAS: Beware of the voice of man, it tempts you to
destruction.
JOCASTA: Stop it. BACKING AWAY FROM TEIRESIAS,
SHE
SHOUTS:
Stop it! Stop it!
TEIRESIAS: The Gods are angry!
JOCASTA: Leave me alone!
TEIRESIAS: Your fate is hounding you.
JOCASTA: Stop!
AS JOCASTA TURNS FROM HIM, SHE SEES HAEMON AND
OEDIPUS COMING ALONG THE BALCONY. SHE RUNS THROUGH THE RECEPTION
ROOM AND ON INTO HER BEDROOM.
TEIRESIAS: Woe to you...
HAEMON AND OEDIPUS APPROACH TEIRESIAS.
TEIRESIAS: ...and to Thebes, woe to the House of Laius.
Oedipus will
destroy this House.
HAEMON: Silence, old man! Silence! Where is your lad?
TEIRESIAS: Haemon? Is it Haemon?
HAEMON: You must go.
TEIRESIAS: If you love the Queen...
HAEMON: Silence! Stay here!
*
HAEMON LEADS OEDIPUS INTO JOCASTAS RECEPTION
ROOM, LEAVING TEIRESIAS ALONE ON THE BALCONY
OEDIPUS: Who is he?
HAEMON: Teiresias.
OEDIPUS: Why does he speak against me?
HAEMON: Wait here.
HAEMON LEAVES OEDIPUS ALONE IN THE RECEPTION ROOM.
*
HE ENTERS JOCASTAS BEDROOM WHERE HE FINDS HER STANDING, IN THE
MIDDLE OF THE ROOM, MOTIONLESS .
HAEMON: I have brought Oedipus.
THEIR EYES MEET. JOCASTA LOOKS DOWN. HAEMON STANDS, WANTING
TO SAY SOMETHING MORE, THEN, AFTER A MOMENT, QUIETLY LEAVES.
*
RETURNING TO THE RECEPTION ROOM, HAEMON GENTLY CLOSES THE DOOR.
OEDIPUS STANDS IN THE DOORWAY TO THE BALCONY.
HAEMON: The Queen will be here in a moment. Be gentle
with her.
OEDIPUS: Who is the old man?
HAEMON: Teiresias is a seer.
OEDIPUS: Does she listen to him?
HAEMON: WITH SUDDEN ANGER. What is your fear?!
*
HAEMON GOES OUT ONTO THE BALCONY SHUTTING THE DOORS, AND LEADS
TEIRESIAS AWAY ALONG THE BALCONY.
*
OEDIPUS, ALONE, REMAINS MOTIONLESS FOR A TIME, THEN BEGINS TO
EXAMINE THE ROOM, NERVOUS, CURIOUS. HE PICKS UP THE EMERALD
CROWN, EXAMINES IT, LIFTS IT TO TRY IT ON. JOCASTA, IN THE
BEDROOM DOORWAY, WATCHES OEDIPUS. HIS BACK IS TO HER. SHE
SPEAKS SOFTLY, BUT DISTINCTLY, HER VOICE CALM.
JOCASTA: Its a beautiful crown, isnt it?
OEDIPUS, STARTLED, WHIRLS AROUND. HE LOOKS AT JOCASTA,
LOOKS AT THE CROWN, SETS IT DOWN, KNEELS.
OEDIPUS: Rise, young Oedipus. Dont play
the fool. INDICATING THE
CROWN. Bring it to me.
HE TAKES THE EMERALD CROWN TO HER, SHE HOLDS IT UP, TURNING IT
ROUND AND ROUND TO SHOW IT OFF. LIGHT CATCHES IN AND REFLECTS FROM THE
EMERALDS.
JOCASTA: It is made of the gold and emeralds of
our ancestress
Europa. Jewels, so
they say, given to her by Zeus -- in payment for rape. Originally a
necklace -- around her throat... Put it on.
SHE EXTENDS THE CROWN TOWARD OEDIPUS. HE DOES NOT MOVE
OR SPEAK.
JOCASTA: Put it on. It carries no evil spell. The legend
says that it confers
irresistible beauty upon the one who wears it.
OEDIPUS: SMILING. Is that a
command?
HE TAKES THE CROWN AND PUTS IT ON, WHICH, OF COURSE, MAKES HIM
LOOK RADIANTLY BEAUTIFUL. JOCASTA TURNS AWAY.
OEDIPUS: I think you have captured all its power.
OEDIPUS TAKES THE CROWN FROM HIS HEAD AND DROPS IT ON A
BENCH.
JOCASTA: How casually you discard the gift of a God.
Are you so
rich?
OEDIPUS: Yes. Who offered the Queen of Thebes to a riddle
solver?
You? Your brother? Nephew? -- The old Seer is adamantly
against it,
isnt he?
JOCASTA: Thebes needs a King.
OEDIPUS: Why? -- Youre the Thebans
Queen.
IRONICALLY.
She who must be obeyed. -- I dont need a kingdom.
JOCASTA: Ill abdicate and name you my heir.
OEDIPUS: If I wanted Thebes, I could have it.
HE GRABS THE AIR, MAKING A FIST.
JOCASTA: You are arrogant -- little tramp of the
desert.
OEDIPUS: My birth is as good as yours.
JOCASTA: Indeed? Are you a king? King of what? King of
riddles.
OEDIPUS: In my land, I am a Prince.
JOCASTA: Where is your land? -- Why did you leave it? --
Did they
try to give you a crown?
OEDIPUS: I ran from it.
JOCASTA: From what?
OEDIPUS: DETERMINED TO END THE BANTERING, TO BE
FORTHRIGHT: Fear. -- Fear of a prophecy.
JOCASTA: Oh the Gods! The Gods are the excuse for every
mans
dilemma. I, too, receive prophecies. Teiresias says you bring me
doom.
OEDIPUS: You dont believe him.
JOCASTA: He is a great seer, much respected in our land,
a
prophet.
OEDIPUS: He is wrong.
JOCASTA: How old are you?
OEDIPUS: Twenty... almost twenty.
JOCASTA: Though a Queen -- do you want to marry a woman
almost old
enough to be your mother?
OEDIPUS IS SILENCED. AS JOCASTA BEGINS TO LAUGH, HE
BECOMES ANGRY
OEDIPUS: Dont ever say that!
JOCASTA: Oh Gods, how funny!
OEDIPUS: Stop it!
HE GRABS HER IN A ROUGH, ALMOST BRUTAL, EMBRACE, KISSES HER UNTIL SHE
STOPS LAUGHING, UNTIL SHE RESPONDS. HE RELEASES HER.
OEDIPUS: I dont want your crown, Jocasta, I
want...
JOCASTA: Can I believe you?
OEDIPUS: ...you ...your love.
OEDIPUS KISSES JOCASTA AGAIN -- TENDERLY. AS SHE
TRIES
TO REGAIN HER COMPOSURE, SHE MOVES AWAY, DISTANCING HERSELF FROM HIM AND
HER INCREASING ATTRACTION.
JOCASTA: I have been a Queen -- Queen of Thebes -- for
twenty-two years -- like Nefertiti, beautiful Nefertiti...
OEDIPUS: Beauty forever and ever.
JOCASTA: ...who, a thousand years ago, was Queen of
Thebes -- in
Egypt. Akhnatons Queen. Together they built a new city on new land.
They fostered new beliefs. They lived in peace.
OEDIPUS: I have read their story.
JOCASTA: You read.
OEDIPUS: Yes.
JOCASTA: Some say Cadmus, our ancestor, might have carried
Nefertitis blood -- our blood, mine -- from the East to Thebes,
from ancient Thebes to our Thebes. Cadmus brought Phoenician writing
from Tyre -- an alphabet, letters, far easier to read than hieroglyphics.
In less
than a century it has changed life forever.
Here in Thebes, I am Queen -- but I have never ruled. I once sat beside
my husband, now I sit beside my brother -- powerless -- and do nothing.
But I do read and understand and record. Some say, when Nefertitis
husband/brother died, she became Pharaoh -- the Pharaoh Neferneferuaten.
OEDIPUS: And...?
JOCASTA: And after that? -- she was lost to hiatory.
*
IN THE NOISY BARRACKS, THE SOLDIERS STAND ABOUT IN A DISORDERLY
CROWD. TO ONE SIDE, AN OFFICER TURNS AWAY FROM CREON TO
BAWL AN ORDER:
OFFICER: Quiet! you men! I want every one of you armed
and
ready.
HAEMON TURNS CREON TO FACE HIM.
HAEMON: Father, you cant send armed men out
there!
CREON: I want the court cleared.
HAEMON: Youre ordering a massacre. -- Let me talk
to them.
Ill persuade them to go peacefully. -- Theyre fifty to one
against the soldiers. -- You might not win. Let me try.
CREON: As you wish.
HAEMON EXITS. CREON SPEAKS TO THE OFFICER BEFORE HE,
TOO, EXITS.
CREON: Keep the men ready. Wait for my order.
OFFICER: All right, you men, relax. Breathe easy.
NOISY CONVERSATION STARTS UP AGAIN. A SEATED GROUP THAT INCLUDES THE
GUARDS FROM OEDIPUS ROOM, HAVE OVERHEARD THE WORDS
BETWEEN CREON AND HAEMON.
1st SOLDIER: Going to sweet talk them, is he?
POLYPHONTES: Haemons right.
2nd SOLDIER: Well, its fight now or long live King
Oedipus
3rd SOLDIER: He might be a good King.
4th SOLDIER: Shhhhh... You want to get...?
HE DRAWS HIS FINGER ACROSS HIS THROAT.
2ND GUARD: Who is he?
3rd SOLDIER: Oedipus?
POLYPHONTES: You would sell your brother, wouldnt
you?
2ND GUARD: Youre pretty friendly with him.
Whatd you
talk about in there? -- You know him.
POLYPHONTES: I dont know what you mean.
THE 2ND GUARD BEGINS TO BACK AWAY.
YOUNG SOLDIER: Do you know him?
POLYPHONTES: Hes a riddle solver.
POLYPHONTES NOTICES THE 2ND GUARD JUST GOING OUT THE DOOR. HE
STANDS UP, LOOKS AROUND, APPREHENSION GROWING IN HIM. HE LEAVES THE ROOM.
THE 2ND GUARD IS FAR DOWN ONE HALL. POLYPHONTES HURRIES OFF IN
A DIFFERENT DIRECTION.
*
IN CONTRAST TO THE GOOD-NATURED NOISE OF THE BARRACKS ROOMS, THE
CROWDS NOISE AT THE GATES IS NOW HOSTILE, VERGING ON
VIOLENCE. THE SUN HAS SET. HAEMON STANDS AT THE TOP OF THE GREAT
STAIRWAY. HE CALLS TO A GUARD:
HAEMON: Get some light. They cant see me.
GUARD: They can see well enough. They want to fight.
HAEMON: Get light!
THE GUARD GOES INTO THE PALACE.
*
APHRON HURRIES KUPIA ALONG A HALL, REPRIMANDING HER FOR
HAVING GONE TO SEE ACMON.
APHRON: You cannot help. Things will happen as they
happen.
KUPIA: Thats not the truth, Mother. Acmon will
fall on his
sword.
APHRON: It cant be helped!
KUPIA: It can be helped. I must tell the Queen!
APHRON: Youll do no such thing. Creon is a
treacherous man. If
you cross him you have no idea what he might do.
KUPIA: I cant live in fear of an old man!
APHRON: An old man? Kupia, hes...
KUPIA: O Mother, our perspectives are so different.
APHRON: Nonetheless, youre not to disturb the
Queen. She is
with Oedipus.
BOTH SEE CREON COMING TOWARD THEM ALONG THE CORRIDOR.
KUPIA DARTS AWAY IN THE DIRECTION OF THE QUEENS QUARTERS.
APHRON STANDS HER GROUND.
CREON: Aphrodite! We meet so seldom anymore. Pity that
little Kupia
is so fleet-footed.
APHRON: Shes wise for her age.
CREON: Now, Aphron!
APHRON: Dont you dare touch me.
CREON: I miss you. When this chaos calms down, you must
let me take
Kupia hunting. There is much I could teach her.
APHRON: She has instructors enough. -- Though she misses
Lord Acmon.
How long are you going to keep him in jail?
CREON: Hes a dead man.
APHRON: I cant believe that -- even of you.
CREON: Rumors can be hard to stifle.
APHRON: Surely hes harmless -- after the Queen
marries
Oedipus...
CREON: But, the Queen may not marry Oedipus. Have you
considered
that? Sweet Aphrodite, Goddess of Love. That one
may
also be a dead man.
APHRON: When did you murder your own heart? -- adopt
cruelty as a
God?
CREON: Cruelty comes from a broken heart. Its in
the
blood.
Sown Mens blood.
HE QUICKLY KISSES HER ON THE CHEEK. I miss you.
CREON HURRIES ON DOWN THE HALL
*
IN THE MURKY TWILIGHT OF THE INNER COURT WHERE THE
SPHINXS BODY LIES, TWO SOLDIERS STAND HOLDING
TORCHES. THREE OTHER SOLDIERS ARE IN THE COURTYARD. TWO OF THEM
SITTING ON LOGS AT THE EDGE OF THE FUNERAL PYRE. THE 3RD IS A
YOUNGER SOLDIER. NO ONE TALKS.
CREON ENTERS. THE GUARD CLOSES THE DOOR AFTER HIM.
CREON: Is everything ready?
THE 1ST SOLDIER NODS.
CREON: No one has seen the body?
2ND SOLDIER SHAKES HIS HEAD.
3RD SOLDIER: The Queen, Sir.
CREON: The Queen? When?
3RD SOLDIER: Some time ago.
CREON SIGNALS FOR THE SPHINXS BODY TO BE PLACED ON
THE PYRE. TWO SOLDIERS LIFT BACK THE CLOTH.
CREON: Wait.
CREON TAKES A LONG LOOK AT THE DEAD SPHINX. PERHAPS HE
SENSES HIS OWN DOWNFALL. THE FACE OF THE YOUNG 3RD SOLDIER,
SLIGHTLY RESEMBLING OEDIPUS, SUDDENLY APPEARS NEXT TO
CREON.
3RD SOLDIER: RESPECTFULLY AND FILLED WITH AWE.
Dare you burn her, my Lord?
STARTLED, CREON LOOKS AT HIM -- A MOMENT OF FEAR, THEN
IRRITATION.
CREON: Nonsense!
HE SIGNALS FOR THE BODY TO BE PLACED ON THE PYRE.
THE SOLDIERS LIFT THE STRETCHER AND DUMP THE SPHINX
UNCEREMONIOUSLY ONTO THE PYRE.
2ND SOLDIER: Should we send for Teiresias?
CREON: Be still! Light it!
THE SOLDIERS TOUCH THEIR TORCHES TO THE PYRE. THE
FIRE IS SLOW TO START.
CREON: Fan the flames! TO THE YOUNG 3RD
SOLDIER: You there, you help.
FROM THE YOUNG SOLDIERS POV, THE SPHINX, WITH THE
FLAMES CREEPING NEAR ITS HOLLOW-EYED HEAD, LOOKS TERRIFYING.
WHEN THE YOUNG SOLDIER DOES NOT MOVE, CREON ANGRILY
STARTS TOWARD HIM. THE COURTYARD DOOR OPENS. CREON TURNS TO SEE
WHO IT IS. THE DOOR GUARD CROSSES THE COURTYARD TO
CREON.
GUARD: One of the Palace Guards wants to
talk to you.
CREON: Not now!
GUARD:
About the Hero.
CREON LEAVES WITH THE GUARD. THE FIRE IGNITES THE BODY
OF THE SPHINX. FOR A MOMENT IT FLARES UP ILLUMINATING THE
COURTYARD.
*
IN THE HALLWAY THE 2ND GUARD STANDS AT ATTENTION. CREON AND
THE GUARD ENTER FROM THE COURTYARD. THE GUARD CLOSES THE
DOOR.
CREON: Yes.
2ND GUARD: Prince Creon.
CREON: What is it?
2ND GUARD: I know the man youre looking for.
CREON: Looking for?
2ND GUARD: He has information... about...
CREON TAKES THE 2ND GUARDS ARM AND WALKS HIM A FEW
STEPS DOWN THE HALL.
CREON: Who is it?
THE 2ND GUARD SMILES INGRATIATINGLY.
CREON: Youll get your reward.
2ND GUARD: Do you know Polyphontes?
CREON: SURPRISED. Polyphontes? Why didnt
he
come?
2ND GUARD: He seems to have fallen under the spell of
our
savior.
THEY START DOWN THE HALL TOWARD THE BARRACKS.
*
A SERVANT LIGHTS THE TALL METAL CANDELABRAS WHICH FLANK THE
BALCONY
DOORS IN JOCASTAS RECEPTION ROOM. THE DOORS ARE CLOSED, THE
CURTAINS DRAWN, BUT THE CROWDS SHOUTING CAN STILL BE HEARD.
JOCASTA SITS IN A CHAIR. OEDIPUS SITS ON THE FLOOR BESIDE HER,
A STEMMED METAL WINE GOBLET NEAR HIS HAND. NEARBY, A CAT SITS ON A
CHEST. WE HEAR ITS PURRING.
THE SERVANT FINISHES HIS WORK AND LEAVES.
THE CANDLELIT ROOM IS SERENE AND PEACEFUL. OEDIPUS DRINKS FROM THE
GOBLET AND HANDS IT TO JOCASTA. SHE TAKES A SIP AND GIVES IT BACK TO
HIM. HE SETS IT ON THE FLOOR. THEIR CONVERSATION IS SLOW, DREAMLIKE.
OEDIPUS: Did Creon invent the Sphinx?
JOCASTA: He used it.
OEDIPUS: What was she?
JOCASTA: You solved the riddle.
OEDIPUS: She was very far away, very high up. Like a
comet crossing
the sky.
JOCASTA: I saw her body.
OEDIPUS: You saw it? Im glad. At times, I think I
imagined it.
The heat... the moon in the sky... She was at the center, the very
center, between the moon and the sun, poised... Im glad you saw
her.
JOCASTA: What was the riddle?
OEDIPUS: What creature...
JOCASTA REPEATS EACH OF OEDIPUS PHRASES AS IN A
LITANY OR -- LIKE MARRIAGE VOWS. LOOKING DOWN INTO HIS DARK EYES, SHE
SEES HER OWN REFLECTION.
JOCASTA: What creature...
OEDIPUS: ...in one life...
JOCASTA: ...in this life...
OEDIPUS: ...crawls on four feet...
JOCASTA: ...crawls on four feet...
OEDIPUS: ...in the morning,
JOCASTA: ...in the morning,
UNSEEN BY EITHER JOCASTA OR OEDIPUS,
KUPIA OPENS THE DOOR FROM THE AUDIENCE ROOM VERY SLIGHTLY. SHE
WATCHES FOR A LITTLE WHILE, THEN WITHDRAWS.
OEDIPUS: ...walks on two...
JOCASTA: ...on two...
OEDIPUS: ...at noon,
JOCASTA: ...at noon,
OEDIPUS: ...and three...
JOCASTA: ...and three...
OEDIPUS: ...in the evening?
JOCASTA: ...toward evening?
OEDIPUS: And the answer...
JOCASTA: The answer is man.
THE WORD Man, SEEMS, AT THIS POINT, LIKE A REVELATION.
SUDDENLY THERES A LOUD BANGING ON THE DOOR. STARTLED FROM THEIR
INTIMACY, BOTH JOCASTA AND OEDIPUS, JUMP UP. IN DOING SO,
JOCASTA KNOCKS OVER THE WINE GOBLET. WINE SPILLS ON THE FLOOR AND
STAINS THE HEM OF HER GOWN.
THE DOOR, BETWEEN THE AUDIENCE AND RECEPTION ROOM, IS THROWN OPEN.
POLYPHONTES BURSTS IN, STOPS, DISORIENTED, DISTRAUGHT, THEN
KNEELS.
POLYPHONTES: My Queen, forgive me.
JOCASTA: What is it?
POLYPHONTES: Oedipus...
OEDIPUS STARES DEFIANTLY AT POLYPHONTES.
JOCASTA: Well?
POLYPHONTES: I must tell you.
OEDIPUS MOVES BEHIND POLYPHONTES, CLOSES THE DOOR.
JOCASTA: Tell me. Get up.
POLYPHONTES RISES. HE LOOKS AT JOCASTA, THEN AT
OEDIPUS, STANDING BEHIND HIM TO ONE SIDE.
POLYPHONTES: BOWS HIS HEAD.
Oedipus... killed... a man.
JOCASTA: What are you saying?
POLYPHONTES: He killed...
JOCASTA TO OEDIPUS:
Is this true?
POLYPHONTES: If Creon finds out...
JOCASTA: Creon?
TO POLYPHONTES:
Who was it?
POLYPHONTES DOESNT ANSWER. TO OEDIPUS:
Who was it?
OEDIPUS: I dont know.
POLYPHONTES: Your Majesty...
JOCASTA: You killed a man?
OEDIPUS: It was an accident.
I tried to... It was a pitiful accident.
JOCASTA: Tell me how it happened.
OEDIPUS: In my traveling...
JOCASTA: Is this why you left your home?
OEDIPUS: Afterward. A long time after. I
was
alone,
walking along
a road. I always traveled alone... WATCHING
JOCASTA INTENTLY
  ...and unarmed.
OEDIPUS, RECALLING THE PAINFUL MEMORY, SPEAKS SLOWLY AS HE
CONFRONTS THE POSSIBILITY OF HIS OWN GUILT.
OEDIPUS: In the mountains where three roads meet. There
was a
man in a
carriage, and... and...
JOCASTA: Polyphontes?
OEDIPUS: Yes. I was coming from Delphi, from the
Oracle.
I
didnt know where I was, I asked directions. He...
INDICATING POLYPHONTES.
... struck me with a sword. I dont think he meant to kill me. The
old man in the carriage ordered him to strike. The old man
kept
shouting...
POLYPHONTES: Make way for your betters.
OEDIPUS: I know no betters than my sire and the
Gods.
I fought with this man and knocked him down. I think he was
unconscious. POLYPHONTES FACE REMAINS IMPASSIVE.
I thought I might have hurt him. The old man attacked me
from
behind. I turned. He struck me. I pushed him back. He fell. His feet
entangled in the horses reins. The horses were frightened.
He fell.
He fell... They started up... ran. I tried to stop the
horses.
They
dragged him down the road... over the stones. When they
stopped -- he was dead.
HIS VOICE HAS BECOME INAUDIBLE. THERE IS A LONG PAUSE.
OEDIPUS TO POLYPHONTES: Who was he?
JOCASTA: QUICKLY, TOUCHING OEDIPUS: It was
an
accident. TO POLYPHONTES: It was an accident. Only
the Gods can be held responsible for such an accident.
BEHIND POLYPHONTES, THE DOOR IS FLUNG OPEN. IN THE DOORWAY STANDS
CREON, THE 2ND GUARD, AN OFFICER AND FIVE
SOLDIERS. BEHIND THEM, THREE NOBLES, INCLUDING LORD
DYMAS.
CREON: TO SOLDIERS, INDICATING POLYPHONTES.
Seize him!
OEDIPUS: STEPPING IN FRONT OF POLYPHONTES.
Youre not to touch this man.
THE SOLDIERS STOP, STARTLED.
CREON: Both of them.
THE SOLDIERS STILL HESITATE. OEDIPUS STARES LEVELLY AT
CREON. HE WAITS A MOMENT SO THAT THE FULL WEIGHT OF THE
SOLDIERS HESITATION CAN BE FELT. THEN, STILL LOOKING
DIRECTLY AT CREON
OEDIPUS SAYS CALMLY: Arrest Prince Creon.
THERE IS ABSOLUTE SILENCE.
OEDIPUS: REPEATS VERY SOFTLY: Arrest the Prince.
AFTER A BRIEF PAUSE, JOCASTA NODS WITH QUIET AUTHORITY.
JOCASTA: Obey the King.
STILL NO ONE MOVES. CREON DRAWS HIS SWORD. LORD DYMAS
WRENCHES IT FROM HIS HAND. CREON TURNS. THE SOLDIERS MOVE
TO LAY HANDS ON HIM. HE BREAKS FREE, ATTACKS OEDIPUS.
A QUIET, INTENSE AND BRUTAL FIGHT FOLLOWS. THE OTHERS STAND STILL,
SILENT, WATCHING. THE TWO MEN ARE EVENLY MATCHED. CREON, THOUGH
LARGER AND STRONGER, IS IN HIS FORTIES; OEDIPUS IS YOUNGER,
LIGHTER, QUICKER. EVEN SO, AT THE MOMENT HAEMON ENTERS,
OEDIPUS IS BEING OVERCOME.
AS HAEMON RUSHES IN FROM THE BALCONY, THE NOISE OF THE CROWD,
LOUD AND THREATENING, INVADES THE ROOM.
HAEMON: The gates are breaking!
HAEMONS WORDS AND THE CROWD NOISE DISTRACT
CREON. HE SHOUTS TO THE OFFICER.
CREON: Call the Guards! For Thebess sake --
call
out the
Guards!
THE OFFICER AND SEVERAL OF THE SOLDIERS, EXIT RUNNING.
OEDIPUS NEITHER SEES HAEMON NOR HEARS THE CROWD. HE
TAKES ADVANTAGE OF CREONS DISTRACTION TO GIVE HIM A SAVAGE
BLOW. CREON SLIPS, ON THE SPILLED WINE, AND FALLS TO HIS KNEES.
OEDIPUS GRABS THE STRONG WOOD, METAL TIPPED ARROW FROM THE
TABLE. THE SPHINXS FEATHER FLUTTERS TO THE FLOOR.
OEDIPUS HOLDS CREON WITH ONE HAND AND LASHES HIM BACK AND
FORTH ACROSS THE FACE WITH THE ARROW. CREON TRIES TO
PROTECT HIS FACE. THE ARROW TIP CUTS INTO HIS HANDS.
OEDIPUS IS INSANE WITH RAGE. AND, ALTHOUGH
CREON IS QUITE HELPLESS, OEDIPUS GOES ON AND ON BEATING
HIM. HORROR BEGINS TO SHOW ON THE FACES OF THE PEOPLE WATCHING.
THOUGH MOST SYMPATHIZE WITH OEDIPUS, THE BRUTALITY OF THE BEATING
IS NOT QUITE HUMAN. HAEMON TRIES TO PULL OEDIPUS AWAY
FROM HIS FATHER.
HAEMON: Oedipus! By the Gods! Oedipus!
BEYOND KNOWING WHAT HE IS DOING, OEDIPUS STRUGGLES WITH
HAEMON, THEN AGAIN ATTACKS CREON. SUDDENLY,
JOCASTA STEPS FORWARD.
JOCASTA: Oedipus! Stop! Stop, youll kill him!
SHE GIVES OEDIPUS A HARD, SHARP SLAP ACROSS THE FACE.
OEDIPUS: Its what you want!
JOCASTA: No! No, no.
OEDIPUS, HIS HYSTERIA SPENT, ALL BUT COLLAPSES. HAEMON AND
JOCASTA HELP HIM TO SIT ON A CHAIR. CREON IS TWISTED
ROUND IN PAIN, HIS HEAD BOWED TO THE FLOOR, HIS HANDS TO HIS FACE, BLOOD
COMING FROM THE CUTS. TWO SOLDIERS STEP FORWARD TO LIFT HIM.
HAEMON GESTURES THEM AWAY, AND KNEELS BESIDE CREON.
HAEMON: Father?
HAEMON, MOVED BY THE PLIGHT OF HIS FATHER, REACHES TO
HELP
HIM. CREON THROWS OFF HAEMONS HANDS, GETS TO HIS
FEET.
CREON: SNARLS AT OEDIPUS: Yamosu Ton
Theon
-- Your blind fury will kill you.
THE ALARM BELL BEGINS TO TOLL, CALLING OUT THE SOLDIERS.
JOCASTA LOOKS AT CREON, THEIR EYES LOCK. JOCASTA,
FINALLY FREE OF CREONS ENSORCELMENT, SAYS TO HAEMON:
JOCASTA: Take him to prison.
HAEMON TURNS TO LOOK AT HER
BESEECHINGLY.
JOCASTA: And get him a physician.
HAEMON, CREON, THE SOLDIERS, AND THE NOBLES
EXIT VIA THE BALCONY. POLYPHONTES, HESITANTLY, STARTS TO
FOLLOW.
JOCASTA Polyphontes.
POLYPHONTES REMAINS.
***
JOCASTA
PART III
***
SOLDIERS POUR INTO THE COURTYARD. THE TOWNSPEOPLE SUCCEED IN
OPENING THE GATES, BUT ARE HELD IN CHECK BY THE CLOSED RANKS OF THE
SOLDIERS.
CREON SHOUTS FROM THE BALCONY: The Temple Gate! Guard the
Temple Gate!
HAEMON NODS TO A SOLDIER, WHO HURRIES OFF TO GIVE THE ORDER.
(THIS, CREONS LAST COMMAND, SAVES THEBES FROM THIS IMMINENTLY
DISASTROUS CONFLICT.) THE CROWD IS GRADUALLY SUBDUED. THE GATES ARE
RE-CLOSED. HAEMON WATCHES HIS FATHER CLOSELY. WHEN A CERTAIN
MEASURE OF ORDER IS RESTORED, HE SIGNALS FOR THE SOLDIERS TO TAKE
CREON AWAY. THE NOBLES REMAIN WITH HAEMON.
A SEMBLANCE OF ORDER IS RESTORED, HAEMON RAISES HIS ARMS AND
SHOUTS:
HAEMON: People of Thebes! People of Thebes. Listen!
Listen!
People of Thebes, listen, we have won a great victory today....
*
KUPIA DASHES FROM HER HIDING PLACE IN JOCASTAS AUDIENCE
ROOM INTO THE HALLWAY, RUNNING AS FAST AS SHE CAN.
*
IN THE RECEPTION ROOM, HAEMONS VOICE AND THE
CROWDS NOISE ARE HEARD FAINTLY. JOCASTA SITS BESIDE
OEDIPUS. POLYPHONTES BRINGS HER A BASIN OF WATER. SHE
KNEELS AND WIPES OEDIPUS FACE WITH A CLOTH DIPPED IN THE
WATER.
OEDIPUS: Is he dead? Is he...?
JOCASTA SHAKES HER HEAD GENTLY.
OEDIPUS: I didnt kill him. I swear it.
JOCASTA: No, my love.
OEDIPUS: I hate him.
JOCASTA: Creon will be all right.
OEDIPUS: Creon?
OEDIPUS, ALMOST FAINTING, SLUMPS AGAINST
JOCASTA.
JOCASTA: TO POLYPHONTES: Help me.
TOGETHER, HALF CARRYING HIM, THEY WALK OEDIPUS INTO THE BEDROOM.
*
THEY HELP HIM TO LIE DOWN ON JOCASTAS BED. AS
JOCASTA TAKES OFF HIS SANDALS, SHE NOTES THE SCARS ON HIS ANKLES.
SHE COVERS HIM AND STANDS WATCHING. POLYPHONTES LEAVES THE ROOM.
OEDIPUS EYES ARE CLOSED. JOCASTA BENDS OVER HIM,
KISSES HIS FOREHEAD. HE OPENS HIS EYES FOR A MOMENT, SMILES A LITTLE,
THEN FALLS ASLEEP.
*
JOCASTA RETURNS TO THE RECEPTION ROOM, LEAVING THE DOOR TO THE
BEDROOM OPEN. SHE WALKS PAST POLYPHONTES, OPENS THE BALCONY
DOORS. THE CROWD IS NOW LIT BY TORCHES, SOME ENSCONCED ON THE
FACADE OF THE PALACE, SOME IN THE HANDS OF THE SOLDIERS, OTHERS
DOTTED HERE AND THERE AMONG THE PEOPLE. THE CROWD, WHICH
IS QUIET NOW, DOES NOT SEE JOCASTA. HAEMONS VOICE
CAN BE HEARD IN THE DISTANCE.
JOCASTA STANDS FOR A LONG TIME, LISTENING, LOOKING AT THE CITY.
SHE DOES NOT TURN AS SHE SPEAKS QUIETLY TO POLYPHONTES
JOCASTA: It was Laius. At Phocis.
POLYPHONTES: Yes, my Queen.
JOCASTA: Before, you told a different story of his
death.
POLYPHONTES: I was afraid.
JOCASTA: You said bandits attacked you. Five? Six?
POLYPHONTES: I was afraid to say the King was killed by a
boy.
JOCASTA: Killed? SHE WAITS, BUT POLYPHONTES
DOES NOT REPLY.
SHE COMES IN FROM THE BALCONY.
JOCASTA: Polyphontes, what was Laius like?
POLYPHONTES: He was the King.
JOCASTA: But what did you think of him? You served him
for many years. Was he kind to you?
POLYPHONTES DOES NOT LOOK AT HER.
JOCASTA: I have seen him beat you. He was a tyrant, a
murderer
setting himself up as judge -- God of Thebes. His warrior culture brought us to the
edge of extinction. Laius did not give the people food to eat or useful work
to do. He gave them wars. Polyphontes -- you know the word:
Glory! He killed my child, many peoples children. He
saw himself as a God of Glory! I know no man who more closely resembled
the Gods. Was he a good man, Polyphontes? Answer me.
SLOWLY POLYPHONTES SHAKES HIS HEAD. SHE TURNS AWAY.
JOCASTA: Creon is like him.
POLYPHONTES LOOKS THOUGHTFULLY TOWARD THE OPEN DOOR
OF THE BEDROOM. JOCASTA TURNS, NOTICES THE DIRECTION OF HIS
GAZE.
JOCASTA: Oedipus has a good heart -- better than Laius,
better than Creon, perhaps hell be a good king.
POLYPHONTES, STUDIES JOCASTA FOR A LONG MOMENT.
THEN HE BOWS HIS HEAD.
JOCASTA: Hes very young, Ill train him for
his
position, he can learn, he can change.
POLYPHONTES: Yes, my Queen.
JOCASTA: REACTING TO THE SLIGHT NOTE OF DOUBT IN HIS
VOICE. We have to believe that we can change.
POLYPHONTES: Yes, my Queen.
JOCASTA: Does anyone else know the story of Laius
death?
POLYPHONTES: No, my Queen.
JOCASTA: Will you keep silent?
POLYPHONTES: If you wish, my Queen. If that is your
command.
AT THE BEDROOM DOOR, JOCASTA SEES OEDIPUS IS ASLEEP. TURNS
BACK TO POLYPHONTES
JOCASTA: I would not choose to build my world on death,
deception. But perhaps there is no choice. Perhaps we can only agree --
to the birth of peace, of love from death -- of truth from deception.
POLYPHONTES: I will be silent.
HAEMON ENTERS AT THE BALCONY DOORS.
HAEMON: Jocasta!
JOCASTA: Theres blood on your face.
HAEMON WIPES HIS FACE: I have announced your marriage. The
people are calmed, but they will not disperse. You must come and confirm
the announcement. And Oedipus...
JOCASTA: Hes asleep. TO POLYPHONTES:
Stay, look after him.
*
JOCASTA AND HAEMON EXIT THROUGH THE BALCONY DOORS AND WALK
ALONG THE BALCONY.
JOCASTA: How is Creon?
HAEMON: I will go down and visit him. ANGUISHED.
Why did he keep slashing at him?
JOCASTA: I dont think he knew what he was doing.
HAEMON: Jocasta... BUT HE SAYS NO MORE.
THEY WALK ON IN SILENCE. JOCASTA TAKES HIS HAND.
JOCASTA: My dearest friend.
THEY STOP. SHE RAISES HIS HAND TO HER LIPS AND KISSES IT.
JOCASTA: My only companion. I love him, Haemon.
JOCASTA SEARCHES HIS FACE FOR UNDERSTANDING. HAEMON BOWS
HIS HEAD.
JOCASTA: I can be a good, a merciful Queen. Ive
never had the chance before. I have lain awake for twenty years
dreaming of what it could have been like to educate my king. In doing
so, I have trained myself. Oedipus has strength and youth. He speaks of
our land with love, with hope. He loves me.
THEY WALK ON -- JOCASTA STILL HOLDING HAEMONS HAND.
JOCASTA: He loves me.
*
KUPIA HURRIES ALONG THE CELLS IN THE PRISON YARD UNTIL SHE COMES
TO ACMONS. THROUGH THE BARS, SHE CALLS IN AN EXCITED
WHISPER:
KUPIA: Acmon! Acmon! Lord Acmon! Creon is... in
prison.
ACMON IS LYING ON THE GROUND IN A POOL OF BLOOD, A SWORD THROUGH HIS
HEART. THIS IS KUPIAS FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH FATES
TREACHERY. SHE LINGERS, HER HANDS CLUTCHING THE BARS.
*
ON THE BALCONY, AT THE FRONT OF THE PALACE, THE NOBLES ARE
GATHERED. JOCASTA AND THE NOBLES GREET EACH OTHER IN
RESPECTFUL SILENCE. JOCASTA AND HAEMON STEP TO THE
BALUSTRADE.
AS SOON AS THEY SEE JOCASTA, A SHOUT GOES UP FROM THE
CROWD. SHE HOLD HER HANDS UP FOR SILENCE. WHEN IT IS SILENT, SHE
BEGINS TO SPEAK.
JOCASTA: People of Thebes.
People of Thebes. My people. Haemon has told you, and I have come to
confirm it. I shall be married...
A GREAT SHOUT AND CHEERING FROM THE CROWD.
JOCASTA: ...tomorrow!
CHEERING
To our Hero. Oedipus!
CHEERING
He will share my throne and be your King.
CHEERING
Thebes will prosper again in peace!
CHEERING
Discard your garments of grief, of mourning. Rejoice!
CHEERING
Come to my wedding -- tomorrow...
CHEERING
...when the sun is high! We shall celebrate!
THE CROWD CHEERS ON AND ON.
WE HEAR INDIVIDUAL VOICES IN THE CROWD SHOUTING:
Long live the Queen! / Long live King Oedipus! / Long live Queen
Jocasta! / Long live the hero, King Oedipus! etc.
THE JOYOUS PEOPLE EMBRACE ONE ANOTHER, DANCE, CRY, SING.
*
AS THEY STEP BACK FROM THE BALUSTRADE, JOCASTA TURNS TO
HAEMON.
JOCASTA: Will you see to the
preparations. There must be a feast, a
great, great wedding feast for all the city. Find enough, find it
someplace. Tomorrow the gates will be unlocked, they will never be
locked again.
HAEMON: As you wish, my Queen.
HIS ANSWER IS MORE FORMAL THAN JOCASTA HAD EXPECTED. SHE HOLDS
OUT HER HAND TO HIM. HE TAKES IT, KNEELS. SHE IS AGAIN SURPRISED. THE
NOBLES KNEEL. THERE IS A MOMENT OF SILENCE IN WHICH SHE REALIZES
AND ACKNOWLEDGES THIS NEW RESPECT.
JOCASTA: Please rise.
JOCASTA TURNS TOWARD THE THRONE ROOM. DYMAS OPENS THE
DOORS FOR HER, THEN KNEELS. SILENTLY, SHE GIVES HIM HER HAND. SHE ENTERS
THE THRONE ROOM. HAEMON DOES NOT RISE UNTIL JOCASTA HAS
LEFT THE BALCONY.
*
JOCASTA CROSSES THE DARK, SILENT ROOM. THE ONLY LIGHT COMES FROM THE
FLICKERING TORCHES OUTSIDE. AT THE GREAT DOORS INTO THE HALL, SHE TURNS,
AND GAZES FOR A LONG MOMENT AT THE DOUBLE THRONE OF THEBES. THEN SHE OPENS
THE DOOR.
*
IN THE HALL. SHE WALKS SLOWLY FOR AWHILE, HER HEAD BOWED, THINKING. WHEN
SHE RAISES HER HEAD, HER FACE IS UNTROUBLED, SHE SMILES. SHE QUICKENS HER
PACE UNTIL SHE IS ALMOST RUNNING.
*
OEDIPUS LIES IN JOCASTAS BED, CALM, INNOCENT, ASLEEP.
POLYPHONTES STANDS BESIDE THE BED WATCHING OEDIPUS, HIS
EXPRESSION IS TROUBLED, PERHAPS THREATENING, HIS SWORD IS PARTIALLY
DRAWN.
*
JOCASTA WALKING VERY QUICKLY, STILL SMILING, ENTERS THE VAST
AUDIENCE CHAMBER OF HER APARTMENTS. THE ROOM IS DARK. SOMEONE STEPS
TOWARD HER. SHE IS FRIGHTENED. IT IS AN OLD MAN, A
SHEPHERD: HUMBLE, AWED BY HIS SURROUNDINGS, BY MEETING HIS
QUEEN. APHRON STANDS BESIDE HIM. JOCASTA,
RECOVERING FROM HER MOMENTARY FRIGHT, PEERS CLOSELY AT THE
SHEPHERD -- PARTLY TO SEE HIM IN THE DIM LIGHT; PARTLY AS IF SHE
RECOGNIZED HIM. BUT SHE DOES NOT.
SHEPHERD: Your Majesty, may I speak to you?
JOCASTA: Not now. SHE WALKS PAST HIM.
APHRON: He says...
JOCASTA: Not now.
SHE GOES INTO THE RECEPTION, ROOM, SHUTTING THE DOOR.
*
POLYPHONTES HEARS THE DOOR SHUT, SHEATHS HIS SWORD, LEAVES
OEDIPUS BEDSIDE.
*
AS JOCASTA WALKS ACROSS THE RECEPTION ROOM. POLYPHONTES
ENTERS FROM THE BEDROOM.
JOCASTA: You may go. You will be safe now.
POLYPHONTES: Yes, your Majesty.
AS HE PASSES HER, SHE TOUCHES HIS ARM.
JOCASTA: Remember your promise.
POLYPHONTES: I will not forget it.
HE EXITS.
*
JOCASTA ENTERS THE BEDROOM, CLOSES THE DOOR, GOES TO THE BED.
LEANING CLOSE TO OEDIPUS, SHE GENTLY CALLS HIS NAME.
JOCASTA: Oedipus. Oedipus.
HE OPENS HIS EYES, LOOKS AT HER SMILING. SHE SITS BESIDE HIM ON THE
BED.
JOCASTA: Did you sleep?
OEDIPUS: I dreamt of you.
HE PULLS HER TO HIM AND KISSES HER. You kept me safe... safe...
safe...
JOCASTA: LAUGHING GENTLY. From what?
SHE GOES TO OPEN THE BALCONY DOORS. SHE IS BATHED IN MOONLIGHT.
OEDIPUS COMES TO HER, EMBRACES HER WITH URGENT PASSION.
JOCASTA, DRAWS BACK A LITTLE
JOCASTA : Tomorrow. Tomorrow we will be married.
OEDIPUS IGNORES HER PROTEST, KISSES HER UNTIL SHE RESPONDS TO
HIS PASSION WITH HER OWN.
FROM THE BALCONY WE SEE THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE GATES, THE FULL MOON
IS NEAR THE HORIZON.
*
A MONTAGE OF JOCASTA AND OEDIPUS MAKING LOVE --
PASSIONATELY AND TENDERLY, CONCLUDING WITH JOCASTA, IN DEEP WONDER,
STUDYING THE BODY OF YOUNG OEDIPUS, HIS FACE, HIS CHEST. THEIR
IMAGES ARE SUPERIMPOSED OVER AND DISSOLVED IN AND OUT OF THE FOLLOWING
SEQUENCES:
***
SEQUENCE A: TORCHES BEING LIT IN THE THRONE ROOM. PREPARATIONS
BEGINNING.
*
SEQUENCE B: HAEMON, WITH A SERVANT CARRYING A TORCH, IN
ONE OF THE STOREROOMS IN THE BASEMENT OF THE PALACE. THEY WALK BETWEEN
ROWS OF WINE JUGS. HAEMON EXAMINES THEM.
HAEMON: This and the next room -- take all the wine into
the city tomorrow.
*
SEQUENCE C: A SMALL ROOM IN THE PALACE. HOLDING A LAMP, APHRON
LEADS THE SHEPHERD IN.
APHRON: You can stay here.
SHEPHERD: Thank you, maam
APHRON PLACES THE LAMP ON A TABLE, TAKES OUT BLANKETS FROM A
CHEST, AND LEAVES. THE SHEPHERD SITS DOWN ON A BENCH, THEN
STRETCHES OUT. DELIGHTED TO BE IN THE PALACE, HE MAKES HIMSELF
COMFORTABLE.
*
SEQUENCE D: PREPARATIONS IN THE KITCHENS. MANY PEOPLE CHOPPING,
KNEADING, STIRRING, ETC. HUGE KETTLES AND IMPLEMENTS. MANY OPEN FIRES
FOR COOKING.
*
SEQUENCE E: AT THE BACK OF THE PALACE, ANIMALS BEING SLAUGHTERED
FOR THE FEAST. MOONLIGHT CASTS THE SHADOW OF THE PALACE OVER THE TORCH
LIT SCENE. KUPIA WANDERING, SLOWLY, CRYING, IS FURTHER SADDENED
BY SEEING THE ANIMALS BEING SLAUGHTERED. GRADUALLY, SHE ABSORBS THE
FACT THAT SHE HAS FAILED, AND SHE IS ALONE.
***
THE IMAGES OF THE LOVE SCENE DISSOLVE INTO A VIEW FROM THE PALACE STEPS
LOOKING THROUGH THE GATES TOWARD THE TOWN. THE LAST OF THE CROWD HAS
DEPARTED. THE COURTYARD IS DESERTED EXCEPT FOR A FEW SOLDIERS AND
GUARDS AT THE GATES. TORCH LIGHT FLICKERS IN THE TOWN IN THE
DISTANCE.
*
HAEMON APPROACHES THE DOOR TO THE INNER COURT. IT IS NO LONGER
GUARDED. HE OPENS THE DOOR AND GOES INTO THE COURTYARD. THE SPHINXS
PYRE HAS ALMOST BURNT OUT. HAEMON WATCHES IT FOR AWHILE. ONE OF
THE THREE REMAINING SOLDIERS COMES UP TO HIM.
HAEMON: The Sphinx?
SOLDIER: Yes, my Lord.
HAEMON: What was it like?
SOLDIER: Hard to describe.
HAEMON: NODS Clear the courtyard and clean it.
HE
STARTS OUT, THEN TURNS. The Queen is to be married tomorrow.
THE SOLDIERS ARE SURPRISED AND PLEASED. AS HAEMON EXITS:
SOLDIER: Long live the Queen!
THE THREE SOLDIERS: Long live the Queen!
*
THE CURTAINS IN JOCASTAS BEDROOM ARE GENTLY STIRRED BY THE
WIND. IN BED, OEDIPUS HEAD IS ON JOCASTAS
BREAST. THEIR EYES ARE CLOSED, BUT THEY ARE AWAKE.
OEDIPUS: Are you hungry?
JOCASTA: LAUGHING SOFTLY. No. Are you?
OEDIPUS: Yes.
HE REACHES ACROSS HER TO GET THE BOWL OF FRUIT FROM THE TABLE. THE
CRADLE IS ALSO NEAR THE BED ON THAT SIDE. OEDIPUS GLANCES
AT IT, PERHAPS WONDERS ABOUT IT FOR A MOMENT, THEN HE SETS THE BOWL OF
FRUIT ON THE BED, TAKES SOME GRAPES, PUTS ONE IN JOCASTAS
MOUTH.
OEDIPUS: Im always hungry. My mother used to worry
about
me.
JOCASTA: When did you leave your home?
OEDIPUS: AS HE EATS. A year ago? I dont
remember.
JOCASTA GETS OUT OF BED.
JOCASTA: Do they know where you are?
OEDIPUS: Who?
JOCASTA: Your mother, your father.
OEDIPUS: No.
HE SETS THE FRUIT ASIDE. JOCASTA HAS PUT ON A LOOSE, DARK ROBE.
SHE WALKS AROUND THE BED, SITS BESIDE OEDIPUS.
JOCASTA: Dont you think they worry?
OEDIPUS SHRUGS. HE ROLLS OVER TO LIE ON HIS STOMACH.
JOCASTA STROKES HIS BACK.
JOCASTA: SPEAKS SOFTLY: Where is it?
OEDIPUS: What?
JOCASTA: Your home.
SLEEPY AND CONTENT, HE FORGETS HIS CAUTION.
OEDIPUS: Corinth.
JOCASTA: Prince of Corinth?
OEDIPUS: My father is King Polybus.
JOCASTA KISSES HIM.
OEDIPUS: Does that please you?
JOCASTA: Why did you leave? HE PULLS AWAY FROM HER.
SHE SAYS TENDERLY. Tell me.
OEDIPUS: I hated him.
JOCASTA: Who?
OEDIPUS: My father.
JOCASTA: Enough to just leave -- to wander alone in the
desert?
OEDIPUS: He was always preaching duty and good -- good and
evil. Oh Gods, how he used to rant about our duty to fight, to regulate
the world, make money. Corinth is the richest realm in Greece. Our ports
swarm with ships and slaves, the slave ships of Hades. I felt guilty of
the worlds torments before I was old enough to think. Filthy with
guilt, filthy with riches. I wanted to kill him.
JOCASTA: And your mother?
OEDIPUS: My mother loved my father.
JOCASTA: Did you love her?
OEDIPUS: Very much.
JOCASTA: You said before that you ran from a
prophecy.
OEDIPUS: ANGRILY SHAKING OFF HER HAND; THEN GENTLY,
APOLOGIZES:
Im sorry. HE TAKES HER HAND.
JOCASTA: What was the prophecy?
OEDIPUS: That I would, in fact, kill my father...
And...
JOCASTA: And?
OEDIPUS: SPEAKS ANGRILY, BUT HIS ANGER IS NOT DIRECTED AT
HER. And perhaps the priest was right! I hated him, Jocasta. I
wanted to kill him. How I wished him dead. Him -- and the world
he believed in, the rapacious world he created, the constant need to
expand his empire!
JOCASTA: Is that all there was to the prophecy?
OEDIPUS: No.
JOCASTA: What was the rest?
OEDIPUS: It was absurd. Do you believe what the oracles
say?
JOCASTA: Not very often.
OEDIPUS: HE MOVES AWAY FROM HER. The Delphic
Oracle said
I would marry my mother. ABRUPTLY HE TURNS TO FACE HER.
Does that disgust you?
JOCASTA: No.
AFTER A MOMENT SHE GETS UP, GOES TO SHUT THE BALCONY DOORS AND CLOSES
THE SHUTTERS. HER HANDS ARE SHAKING, THE FAMILIARITY OF THE PROPHECY
UNNERVES HER.
OEDIPUS: TAKING HER HANDS AS SHE RETURNS TO HIM, AND
PULLING HER
CLOSE. Im sorry, I shouldnt have told you.
JOCASTA: Ive heard prophecies like that before.
Its a
cruel joke, I think, the Gods -- or maybe its just the Oracles --
enjoy playing with those of us who ask questions, who search for
answers.
OEDIPUS: Ill never go back to Corinth.
JOCASTA: No, youll never go back
OEDIPUS: I love you.
JOCASTA LEANS OVER TO KISS HIM.
*
DISSOLVE TO: A MONTAGE THROUGH THE REST OF THE NIGHT.
***
SEQUENCE F: HAEMON STANDING ALONE ON THE BALCONY OUTSIDE THE
THRONE ROOM, LOOKING OVER THE DARK CITY, WHILE PREPARATIONS CONTINUE IN
THE THRONE ROOM.
*
SEQUENCE G: CREON SITTING ON A BED IN A
COMFORTABLE, BUT TOTALLY ISOLATED, HEAVILY GUARDED, PRISON CELL. HIS
WOUNDS HAVE BEEN ATTENDED TO.
*
SEQUENCE H: THE KITCHENS WITH GREAT VESSELS OF PREPARED FOOD. THE LAST
FEW PEOPLE FINISH CLEANING UP AND BEGIN TO LEAVE.
*
SEQUENCE I: THE SHEPHERD PEACEFULLY ASLEEP
*
SEQUENCE J: HAEMON, WALKING DOWN THE HALL, COMES TO THE DOOR OF
OEDIPUS ROOM. IT IS OPEN. HE STOPS, LOOKS IN, ENTERS. AS
HE STANDS IN THE EMPTY ROOM, THE FIRST RAYS OF THE MORNING SUN SHINE
THROUGH THE BARRED WINDOWS. HAEMON GOES TO THE WINDOW, LOOKS
OUT.
*
SEQUENCE K: THE SUN RISING.
***
JOCASTA SITS BESIDE THE SLEEPING OEDIPUS, TENDERLY STUDYING
THE BEAUTY OF HIS YOUTHFUL FACE. IT IS THE FIRST TIME SHE LOVES SOMEONE WHO
GENUINELY RETURNS HER LOVE.
*
AS HAEMON COMES OUT FROM THE NORTH ROOMS, HE MEETS KUPIA IN
THE HALL, DOWNCAST, VERY SAD.
HAEMON: What is it Kupia?
KUPIA: Lord Acmon is dead.
HAEMON: How so?
KUPIA: Hes lying in blood in his cell -- a
sword...
HAEMON: I see.
HAEMON: PUTS HIS ARM AROUND KUPIAS
SHOULDERS AND
HOLDS HER CLOSE.
KUPIA: Why does everything end in
sorrow? Not only the bad things, but the good things, too. Everything
leads to such terrible sadness, tragedy -- death.
HARMON: Dont remember only his death, remember your
years
of friendship. All that he taught you. His love for you, for the
Queen. His love and respect for my father as well.
KUPIA: But to kill himself, just because...
HAEMON: His sense of honor was very strong. It may have
been
misplaced, but he was an honorable man.
KUPIA: Who invented honor? It seems to me more deadly
than the
two edged sword.
*
THEY HAVE WALKED OUTSIDE INTO THE MORNING SUNLIGHT -- CLEAR, BRIGHT,
PURE.
KUPIA: May I ride Nonios?
HAEMON: Of course, the fresh air will do you good. My
horse is in
the Queens stable this morning. HE KISSES HER FOREHEAD.
I will see to Lord Acmon.
KUPIA BEGINS TO CRY AGAIN, AND RUNS OFF.
*
JOCASTA, NOW WEARING A WHITE ROBE, ENTERS HER RECEPTION ROOM,
CLOSING THE BEDROOM DOOR. THE BALCONY DOORS ARE OPEN. HOLDING A
CAT, SHE MOVES TOWARD THE FRESH AIR, SHE IS HAPPY, BUT TROUBLED.
THE CAT JUMPS FROM HER ARMS. KNEELING, SHE PLAYS WITH AND TALKS
TO THE CAT.
JOCASTA: What do you think of prophecies? Prophecies.
Prophecies.
-- Theyre all the same. -- Prince of Corinth!
SHE PICKS UP THE CAT AND HUGS IT TO HER. APHRON ENTERS.
JOCASTA LOOKS UP AS THE CAT JUMPS FROM HER ARMS AGAIN.
APHRON SMILES -- HAPPY IN JOCASTAS PLAYFULNESS,
HAPPINESS.
APHRON: Good morning, your Majesty.
JOCASTA: Im going to be married today. Aphrodite,
Im
going to be married.
APHRON: The Gods have blessed you.
JOCASTA: They died in the night -- of jealousy. No God
could know
my happiness.
APHRON: Be careful, my child, of the Gods -- many eyes,
ears.
Dont challenge them.
JOCASTA: Is my gown ready? My robes? Is the feast
prepared?
Find Haemon. And for Oedipus -- have the Kings robes ready
for him. Take them to his rooms. Hell be there soon. The North
Rooms. Then well close off that wing -- that prison. Well
have light in the palace!
APHRON: Yes, your Majesty, yes.
JOCASTA: Have someone there to help him dress.
Hurry!
SHE TAKES KEYS FROM A DRAWER, GIVES THEM TO APHRON, AND URGES
HER TOWARD THE DOOR.
APHRON: Theres a shepherd to see you.
JOCASTA: So early?
APHRON: Hes waited all night.
JOCASTA: A shepherd? Why?
APHRON: He has something to tell you, some wonderful
news, he
said.
JOCASTA: Let him come in.
APHRON EXITS. JOCASTA WHIRLS AROUND EXUBERANTLY,
FRIGHTENING THE CAT, WHICH RUNS ONTO THE BALCONY. JOCASTA STARTS
AFTER IT AS THE SHEPHERD ENTERS. SHE STOPS, TURNS TO HIM,
SMILING.
JOCASTA: So, Shepherd, Aphron says you have good news
for me.
Welcome.
THROUGH THE SCENE OF THE SHEPHERDS REVELATION THE QUALITY
OF THE PURE MORNING LIGHT CHANGES TO BECOME A HARSH GLARE.
SHEPHERD: Yes, your Majesty. It will make you happy.
JOCASTA: LAUGHING. Im too happy already. --
Youve waited all night. Where did you sleep?
SHEPHERD: In a little room. Your serving maid, good as a
goddess,
found a place for me.
JOCASTA: Where is your home?
SHEPHERD: In the hills. I only came to town to beg feed
for my sheep.
In the drought...
JOCASTA: They have been dying -- I know. And the
people -- the
land... But, the Sphinx is dead! Everything is different
now. We will
send to Aulis, Hyria, Thespiae. We will get food. They will not refuse
us. Im to be married today.
SHEPHERD: I heard the announcement.
JOCASTA: Did you want to wish me well, kind
Shepherd.
SHEPHERD: With all my heart, my Queen. -- I
have a
gift.
JOCASTA: A gift?
SHEPHERD: A secret. I could not tell you while King
Laius lived.
JOCASTA: Laius? -- What is it?
SHE LOOKS SHARPLY AT HIM, TRYING TO REMEMBER HIS FACE.
SHEPHERD: Many years ago...
JOCASTA: SHE STARES AT HIM, NOW ALMOST FEARFULLY.
What
is
it?
SHEPHERD: Im the shepherd who took your son.
JOCASTA: Why do you come to me? Why now? Leave me
alone!
THE SHEPHERD SPEAKS QUIETLY, ALMOST IN A WHISPER, BUT AN
ARRESTING
WHISPER
THAT HALTS JOCASTAS BUDDING HYSTERIA.
SHEPHERD: Hes not dead.
JOCASTA: My son?
SHEPHERD: I didnt kill him.
JOCASTA: ALMOST AFRAID TO SAY IT. Not dead?
SHEPHERD: Hes alive.
JOCASTA: Where?
SHEPHERD: Let me tell you the story.
JOCASTA: Yes, tell me! Tell me quickly.
Hes
alive?
SHEPHERD: Yes, your Majesty.
JOCASTA: Why havent you come before? Why
didnt you take
pity on me before?
SHEPHERD: Until King Laius died, I was a traitor -- a
criminal --
outside the law.
JOCASTA: Where is he?
SHEPHERD: When the King ordered the child to be killed,
they sent for
me. You were so young. I thought my heart would break for you. Prince
Creon spoke, he said: Take this boy far away and kill him. It is
the Kings command. You held the infant, you could not part
from him, tears ran down your face.
TEARS RUN FROM JOCASTA S OPEN STARING EYES.
JOCASTA: Please, Shepherd, dont...
SHEPHERD: Prince Creon took him from you and gave him to
me. I took
him because it was the Kings command. I took him to Mount Cithaeron -- but I
could not kill him. His ankles were pierced and bound. I left
him...
JOCASTA: Alone?
SHEPHERD: Early the next morning I went back. But he was
gone. I searched, but couldnt find him.
JOCASTA: You didnt find him?
SHEPHERD: SMILING. Later I met a shepherd. He
had found
the child and given it to his childless master.
JOCASTA: And you saw him safe.
SHEPHERD: Not since I left him on Mount Cithaeron, but I
have talked
with the Corinthian shepherd since then.
JOCASTA: Corinth?
SHEPHERD: Your son has been brought up as Prince of
Corinth.
JOCASTA: WHISPERS IN QUIET DISBELIEF. Corinth?
SHEPHERD: That is my secret, your Majesty. My gift for
your
wedding.
JOCASTA: Corinth? Did you say -- Corinth?
SHEPHERD: Yes, your Majesty. He has been brought up
as great King Polybus son. A glorious fate.
THE SHEPHERD, NOW CONCERNED AND AFRAID, STARES AT
JOCASTA, WHO HAS TURNED PALE.
SHEPHERD: Your Majesty? HE STEPS TOWARD HER.
Your
Majesty?
JOCASTA: KEEPING HIM AT A DISTANCE. No! -- What
is his
name?
SHEPHERD: His name? I dont know, your
Majesty.
JOCASTA: Does the house of Corinth have more than one
son?
SHEPHERD: Hes their only son -- and
heir.
THERE IS A LONG PAUSE. JOCASTA TRIES TO SMILE.
JOCASTA: Thank you... for telling me... that
my
son... is alive.
SHEPHERD: Your Majesty?
JOCASTA: RAISES HER HAND FOR SILENCE.
Thank you... kind Shepherd...
SHE PAUSES UNABLE TO GO ON. THEN AFTER A VERY LONG MOMENT.
JOCASTA: Do not speak of this to anyone.
SHEPHERD: COMPLIANT, BUT DISAPPOINTED. If you
wish, your
Majesty. But...
JOCASTA: You must swear by your life to tell no one.
For twenty
years you have carried this knowledge. Carry it to your grave. Will you
swear to that?
SHEPHERD: CONFUSED, BUT DEVOTED TO THE QUEEN. I
swear it,
my Queen, by all the Gods -- if you wish.
JOCASTA: Good! Good! By the Gods, yes! SHE
KISSES HIS
CHEEK. Thank you, Shepherd.
SHEPHERD: HE IS MUCH SURPRISED, BUT ALSO EMBOLDENED TO
ASK A
FAVOR. May I come to your wedding?
JOCASTA: My wedding? Of course. Of course.
Im to
be married
today. AGAIN, TEARS STREAM DOWN HER FACE. Yes, come.
Come.
SHEPHERD: Thank you, my Queen.
HE EDGES TOWARD THE DOOR.
JOCASTA: Remember your oath.
SHEPHERD: Always, my Queen -- forever.
AT THE DOOR, HE TURNS AND ADDS:
SHEPHERD: Im an old man, a very old man. Forever
is not too long -- may it
please my great queen.
AFTER THE SHEPHERD EXITS, JOCASTA STANDS ALONE AND VERY
STILL IN THE HARSH GLARE OF THE SUN. THE CAT BRUSHES AGAINST HER
LEGS. SHE LOOKS DOWN, BUT DOES NOT PICK IT UP. SHE MOVES TO THE DOOR
OF THE BEDROOM, STANDS FOR A MOMENT AND OPENS IT.
INSIDE THE SHUTTERED BEDROOM, A PATTERN OF LIGHT AND SHADOW FALLS ACROSS
THE BED. OEDIPUS IS STILL ASLEEP. JOCASTA CLOSES THE DOOR
AGAIN, SOFTLY, GENTLY. SHE TURNS AND BEGINS TO RUN -- THROUGH THE
RECEPTION ROOM, THROUGH THE AUDIENCE ROOM AND INTO THE HALL -- RUNNING
LIGHTLY, BAREFOOTED AND AS FAST AS SHE CAN.
*
KUPIA, IN THE STABLES, MOUNTS HAEMONS HORSE,
NONIOS, WITH THE HELP OF THE STABLEMAN WHO THEN OPENS THE
DOORS FOR KUPIA TO RIDE OUT TOWARD THE WEST GATE AND CLIFFS UPON
WHICH THE SPHINX HAD STOOD.
*
AS THE STABLEMAN CLOSES THE STABLE DOORS, JOCASTA, OUT OF
BREATH, ENTERS FROM THE HALL DOOR. THE STABLEMAN IS STARTLED TO SEE
HER IN HER DRESSING GOWN.
JOCASTA: Saddle Abraxas for me. Creon wont
be riding him for a long time.
STABLEMAN: Of course, your majesty.
JOCASTA: And a cloak, please give me a cloak.
HE TAKES ONE OF THE GUARDS GOLDEN CLOAKS FROM A PEG ON THE
WALL.
STABLEMAN: Your Majesty, young Kupia was just here --
JOCASTA: So early?
STABLEMAN: She rode toward the cliffs. She seemed very
sad.
JOCASTA: Why?
STABLEMAN: I dont know, your Majesty. She said
Lord Haemon had
given her permission to ride Nonios.
JOCASTA MOUNTS AND RIDES OUT TOWARD THE CLIFFS, FOLLOWING
KUPIAS ROUTE. THE STABLEMAN WATCHES HER RETREATING
FIGURE FOR SOME TIME.
*
ACROSS THE LANDSCAPE, IN THE DISTANCE TOWARD THE WEST, WE SEE
KUPIA GALLOPING ALONG THE HIGH EDGE OF THE CLIFFS AND, AFTER A
LITTLE WHILE, JOCASTA RIDING FAR BEHIND. GRADUALLY,
JOCASTA OVERTAKES KUPIA.
AT THE EDGE OF THE CLIFF, BELOW
WHICH THE SPHINX HAD STOOD ON HER PROMONTORY, JOCASTA
AND KUPIA DISMOUNT. EXHILARATED BY THE WILD RACE, AND THE COOL
MORNING AIR, THEY LAUGH.
KUPIA: My Queen! My Queen, why are you out here this
morning?
JOCASTA: To avoid questions from little gods like
you!
KUPIA HOWLS WITH LAUGHTER. JOCASTA JOINS HER WITH HER
OWN WILD LAUGHTER. ENJOYING THE VIEW, THEY WALK ABOUT.
JOCASTA: Haemon said: Ride my horse?
KUPIA: Quick as light! Nonios means quick
as
light.
JOCASTA: Are you reading the equestrian manuals?
KUPIA: All our horses names have meaning. Abraxas
once
belonged to Helios.
JOCASTA: The Sun God. Maybe I believe in the Sun
God.
Abraxas I create as I speak.
SUDDENLY, KUPIA BURSTS INTO TEARS.
JOCASTA: Kupia! Whats the matter.
KUPIA: Lord Acmon used to bring me here to watch the
Sphinx.
JOCASTA: Hes a very good friend.
KUPIA: Hes dead
JOCASTA: Kupia?
KUPIA: I saw him last night, in a pool of blood.
JOCASTA: Kupia. Oh my sweet Kupia!
JOCASTA REACHES OUT AND PULLS KUPIA TO HER,
KUPIA: He thought he had dishonored his friend. Creon
was his
friend.
JOCASTA: I should have known.
KUPIA: He loved you very much. He would have been a
wonderful
husband.
JOCASTA: Oh Kupia, no, that could never have
happened.
KUPIA: I know, I know. Oedipus loves you as well. He
really loves
you.
JOCASTA: Hush. Dont speak...
JOCASTA CONTINUES TO HOLD KUPIA CLOSE.
KUPIA: You will be so happy.
JOCASTA: Your world has always been made of joy. But
now, now...
Once your heart is broken... Yes, once your heart is broken,
you can...
You dont have to cry anymore.
JOCASTA HOLDS KUPIA VERY CLOSE.
JOCASTA: We need to return.
*
JOCASTA AND KUPIA RIDE BACK TO THE PALACE.
*
GUARDS AND ASTERIUS IN THE JAIL YARD, REMOVING THE BODY OF
ACMON.
ASTERIUS: Creons orders. Take him to the inner
courtyard --
where the Sphinx was burned.
SOLDIER: Creons in jail.
ASTERIUS: Not for long, you can be sure. The Queen
dotes on
him.
SOLDIER: Hes a menace to Thebes, to peace, to
being able to
sleep at night.
ASTERIUS: Shes very clever, you wait and see,
like brother
like sister. They might have been born from a single egg.
SOLDIER: Oedipus may change that.
*
JOCASTA AND KUPIA AT THE STABLES.
JOCASTA: TO THE STABLEMAN:
See that Abraxas is exercised every day.
*
AS JOCASTA AND KUPIA, START DOWN THE HALL,
JOCASTA: Go, help your mother with Oedipus. Help with
his
regalia. See to his
crown. Today he becomes Thebes King.
KUPIA: I will worship him, because you love him.
JOCASTA: In time to come, he will be called a good
king.
Great King
Oedipus.
THEYVE REACHED JOCASTAS APARTMENT.
JOCASTA: Go. Dress. Something suitable.
You
can bring the Imperial -- the Kings Crown, Little Goddess of
Love.
KUPIA: Because you love him.
*
JOCASTA WALKS THROUGH THE EMPTY ROOMS OF HER QUARTERS, AND
PAUSES AT THE
BEDROOM
DOOR. AS SHE OPENS THE DOOR, THE CAT MEOWS AND JUMPS ONTO THE BED.
SHE WATCHES AS THE CAT LICKS OEDIPUS FACE. HE WAKES,
PETS THE CAT. JOCASTA SMILES, MOVES TO THE BED AND STANDS
LOOKING AT HIM, THEN KNEELS AND TOUCHES HER LIPS TO OEDIPUS
HAND.
OEDIPUS: QUIETLY, TENDERLY: Good morning, my
love. You
smell so fresh. Have you been in the cool
wind?
JOCASTA BURIES HER FACE AGAINST THE COVERS. HE PUTS HIS HAND ON
HERS. HE SENSES THAT SHE IS CRYING.
OEDIPUS: Jocasta? HE TRIES TO RAISE HER HAND,
HER FACE.
Jocasta?
ABRUPTLY, SHE STANDS UP. TAKES OFF HER WHITE ROBE, DROPS IT ON THE BED.
IN HER NIGHTGOWN, KEEPING HER FACE TURNED AWAY. SHE WALKS TOWARD THE
WINDOWS, CLOSE TO THE WALL NEAR THE STANDING MIRROR.
OEDIPUS: Jocasta, are you crying? What is it? Why?
HE SITS UP, THE COVERS FALL BACK, REVEALING HIS NAKEDNESS. SHE SEES
HIS IMAGE IN THE MIRROR.
JOCASTA: Dont get up!
SHE STARTS TO OPEN THE SHUTTERS, BUT CLOSES THEM AGAIN.
JOCASTA: Im being...
OEDIPUS: Youre acting like a silly girl. No! I
dont
mean...
JOCASTA: Hush!
OEDIPUS SITS QUIETLY, IDLY PETTING THE CAT. HE WATCHES
JOCASTA. HER BACK IS TO HIM.
JOCASTA: Oedipus?
HE DOES NOT ANSWER.
JOCASTA: Oedipus?
OEDIPUS: Say you love me.
JOCASTA: I do.
OEDIPUS: Do you? Say it.
JOCASTA: I love you.
OEDIPUS: Then, why are you crying?
JOCASTA GOES TO HER DRESSING TABLE, WIPES THE TEARS FROM
HER FACE, STUDIES HER IMAGE IN THE MIRROR.
JOCASTA: Im too old to cry.
OEDIPUS, PLAYFULLY EXASPERATED, IN AN OLD MANS VOICE:
Is this going to set a precedent? Am I going to wake up every morning to
this? Because, if I am... we shall have separate rooms. You will only be
allowed to see me when you are feeling kittenish. I shall come to you only
when I am feeling -- older than Cronus.
HE HAS PUT ON JOCASTAS WHITE ROBE AND TIED A WHITE SCARF ON HIS
HEAD TO LOOK LIKE A WIG, AND NOW, ASSUMING THE EXPRESSION AND GAIT OF AN
OLD MAN, USING A THRYSOS AS A PILGRIMS STAFF, HE COMES UP
BEHIND JOCASTA , EMBRACES HER. HIS VOICE QUAVERING.
OEDIPUS: I am old. I am old Father Time.
JOCASTA SCREAMS AS SHE FEELS HIS TOUCH AND SEES HIS ANTIC IN THE
MIRROR.
JOCASTA: Oedipus! Stop it! Please!
OEDIPUS IS IMMEDIATELY SOBERED.
JOCASTA: Please.
OEDIPUS TAKES OFF THE SCARF.
OEDIPUS: I'm sorry. HE TOUCHES HER HAIR GENTLY,
AND HER FACE. I thought my love gave me the privilege of
understanding you. But I see
Im hurting you in some way that I dont understand. Forgive
me.
HE TURNS TO SIT ON THE BED BOWING HIS HEAD.
JOCASTA: Are you from Corinth?
OEDIPUS: Did I tell you that?
JOCASTA: Yes. You told me many things last night. Are
they
true?
OEDIPUS: RAISES HIS HEAD, RELIEVED. I thought I
dreamt it. Maybe thats why I feel so lighthearted this morning.
Its wonderful to be rid of my secrets. Is that whats upset
you? I shouldnt have told you. Why should you hear my
confessions? Forget it. Please forget all of it. Im from the sky,
the sun was my father, the moon, my mother -- and I was born just to
love you.
JOCASTA: What if the prophecy came true?
OEDIPUS: Prophecy? -- Ill never go back!
Dont condemn
me for that!
JOCASTA: But if... if it had?
OEDIPUS: WITH INTENSE REVULSION, IN A HARD AND LEVEL
VOICE WHICH
ALLOWS FOR NO FURTHER QUESTIONING:
I would kill myself.
JOCASTA: A CRY OF DESIRE, LONGING, DESPAIR:
Oedipus!
Oh Oedipus.
OEDIPUS: Did you think that what I told you as a
prophecy had
happened? Did you think I had lied to you?
JOCASTA: SHE GOES TO HIM. No. Oh, no.
THEY
EMBRACE. KISS.
OEDIPUS: If I live to be as old as the seer, maybe I
shall
understand you.
HE KISSES HER AGAIN.
A KNOCK AT THE DOOR CAUSES JOCASTA TO BREAK GUILTILY FROM THE
EMBRACE. SHE WHIRLS TO FACE THE DOOR. OEDIPUS IS GENTLY AMUSED AT
THIS REACTION.
JOCASTA: Who is it?
KUPIA ENTERS.
KUPIA: Mother says the crown is not with the other
things.
SHE STARES IN FRANK ADMIRATION AT THE HALF DRESSED OEDIPUS AND,
UNABLE TO RESIST, GIGGLES AT HIS COSTUME. HE LAUGHS IN RETURN.
JOCASTA: TO OEDIPUS Dress now. You must go
and
ready yourself for the... ceremony.
*
JOCASTA MAKES KUPIA GO BEFORE HER FROM THE BEDROOM AND
SHUTS THE DOOR. SHE MOVES A FEW STEPS INTO THE RECEPTION ROOM, THEN
STOPS AS IF SHE HAD FORGOTTEN WHAT SHE WAS GOING TO DO.
KUPIA: WHISPERS TO JOCASTA You will be so
happy.
THEN HER SORROW WELLING UP, SHE HUGS JOCASTA AND BEGINS TO CRY.
JOCASTA GENTLY EXTRICATING HERSELF, BARELY ABLE TO HIDE HER OWN
PAIN.
JOCASTA: Oh Kupia, Kupia, I should have acted sooner.
TEARS AGAIN WELL UP IN JOCASTAS EYES. SHE AND KUPIA
HOLD EACH OTHER CLOSE.
JOCASTA: In a little while, a new world begins. A better
place.
A place of peace. A place of love. Dry your tears, Kupia.
JOCASTA RELEASES HERSELF FROM KUPIAS ARMS.
REMEMBERING THE CROWN, SHE TAKES A KEY FROM A DRAWER TO UNLOCK A CHEST.
FROM THE CHEST SHE TAKES OUT THE ROYAL CROWN (NOT SO ELABORATE AS THE
EMERALD CROWN). SHE LOOKS AT IT A MOMENT, THEN HANDS IT TO KUPIA,
WHO TAKES IT REVERENTLY.
KUPIA: How beautiful!
OEDIPUS OPENS THE BEDROOM DOOR AND STEPS INTO THE ROOM. THEY
BOTH TURN TO HIM. KUPIA KNEELS AND, PRESENTING THE CROWN TO HIM,
SAYS: King of Thebes!
OEDIPUS IS DELIGHTED.
HAEMON HAS ENTERED FROM THE AUDIENCE ROOM JUST AS KUPIA
KNEELS. HE WATCHES. TAKING IN THE MIXTURE OF INTENSE EMOTIONS AND
PLAYFULNESS, AS WELL AS AN ALMOST INCANDESCENT SENSE OF JOY.
JOCASTA: STERNLY, BUT GENTLY. Get up, Kupia. Go
along
now.
TO OEDIPUS: Go with her.
OEDIPUS KISSES JOCASTA. AS HE AND KUPIA WALK TO THE
DOOR, HE SMILES AT HAEMON. HAEMON NODS, MAKING AN EFFORT TO
SMILE. KUPIA AND OEDIPUS EXIT.
JOCASTA AND
HAEMON, FOR THE FIRST TIME, FIND THEMSELVES UNCOMFORTABLE IN EACH
OTHERS PRESENCE. THEN HAEMON STARTS TOWARD HER, SHE EXTENDS
HER HANDS. THEY EMBRACE.
*
AS KUPIA AND OEDIPUS WALK ALONG THE HALL, KUPIA TURNS
THE IMPERIAL CROWN ROUND AND ROUND IN HER HANDS.
KUPIA: Isnt it beautiful. Its yours, you
know.
SHE EXTENDS IT, THEN WITH A LAUGH, WITHDRAWS IT, BREAKS INTO A RUN. HE
RUNS AFTER HER. THE HALL REVERBERATES WITH THEIR YOUNG LAUGHTER AS THEY
RUN DOWN ITS LENGTH. HE CATCHES HER AND SNATCHES THE CROWN. THEY
CONTINUE WALKING.
KUPIA: Give it back.
OEDIPUS: Its mine.
KUPIA: Give it back!
SHE GRABS FOR THE CROWN, BUT HE HOLDS IT OUT OF REACH.
*
JOCASTA AND HAEMON STAND IN THE DOORWAY TO THE BALCONY, NOT
QUITE KNOWING WHAT TO SAY TO EACH OTHER.
HAEMON: The gates are unlocked.
JOCASTA: I used to think one could go out the other six
gates, that
the Sphinx didnt matter.
HAEMON: Theyve burned her body.
JOCASTA: The riddle is solved and were -- free.
Quite
free. Ill abdicate.
HAEMON: Abdicate?
JOCASTA: Let Oedipus rule alone.
HAEMON IS SHOCKED.
JOCASTA: I cant marry him. Hell rule
wisely.
HAEMON: Without mercy. Youre the one who is
wise.
JOCASTA: Hes a just man.
HAEMON: And violent. Savage.
JOCASTA: He loves me.
HAEMON: If you put Thebes in his hands...
Its too
much power. He knows nothing of Thebes. You must accept him -- if
you want to or not.
JOCASTA: Its myself I must accept.
CRYING OUT IN PAIN, SHE PUTS HER ARMS AROUND HAEMON,
SOBBING.
JOCASTA: I love him, Haemon. I do love him.
HE HOLDS HER, STROKES HER HAIR, FEELING THE LOSS OF LOVE AS ACUTELY
AS SHE DOES. HER CRYING SUBSIDES. THEN, MURMURING TO HERSELF:
JOCASTA: I didnt know who he was.
HAEMON: Who is he?
JOCASTA: STILL VERY QUIETLY, TO HERSELF. Did I?
THEN TO HAEMON: A prince. Prince of
Corinth.
SHE TURNS ABRUPTLY AND WALKS INTO THE BEDROOM. AFTER A MOMENT,
HAEMON FOLLOWS HER.
*
HAEMON: An alliance between Thebes and Corinth! But that
is a gift from the Gods! Corinth is the richest seaport in all of
Greece! Hes their Prince?
JOCASTA SHAKES HER HEAD. THEN, WITH VIOLENT ENERGY, SHE STRIDES TO THE
SHUTTERS, YANKS THEM OPEN, AND TURNS TO HAEMON:
JOCASTA: We need more light! We invented the Gods, put
words in their mouths, taught them to judge -- as we judge. Yes! -- I
love him, Haemon. I do truly love him. Is everything prepared for
the wedding?
HAEMON: Ill send the guards to escort you.
HE BOWS AND TURNS TO LEAVE.
JOCASTA: Creons guards...
HAEMON: Have been confined to barracks
JOCASTA: Bring Creon to the throne room.
HAEMON NODS, HIS BACK TO HER.
JOCASTA: How is he?
HAEMON: In pain. HE TURNS. What sentence
will you give him?
JOCASTA: Exile. Perhaps. Banishment?
I dont know. He is obsessed with violence...
HAEMON: What man is not?
JOCASTA: He might raise an army -- even against Thebes.
The compulsion to fight! My father, Laius, Creon, Oedipus -- even
you have fought battles. I will bring peace, I promise.
Let Creon appear in a plain tunic, one of your own if necessary.
No military trappings.
HAEMON EXITS. JOCASTA GOES TO THE OPEN BALCONY DOORS.
*
PEOPLE ARE BEGINNING TO GATHER IN THE COURTYARD. THEY ARE DRESSED IN
LIGHTER-COLORED CLOTHING. THEY SMILE AND TALK WITH EACH OTHER. SEVERAL
PRIESTS AND ATTENDANTS MOUNT THE STEPS THAT LEAD TO THE TEMPLE
OF APOLLO. FOLLOWING THEM, TWO WHITE LAMBS ARE LED IN. AS
THEY CROSS THE THRESHOLD OF THE TEMPLE, THE DEEP SHADOW FROM WITHIN MAKES
THEM APPEAR TO TURN BLACK.
*
JOCASTA CROSSES THE BEDROOM TO THE BLACK-DRAPED CRADLE AND
BEGINS, METHODICALLY, TO FOLD UP THE DRAPERY AND BEDCLOTHES.
APHRON ENTERS CARRYING JOCASTA'S STATE ROBES. SHE IS
SURPRISED AT WHAT JOCASTA IS DOING.
APHRON: Your Majesty?
JOCASTA CONTINUES FOLDING THE BEDCLOTHES.
APHRON: What are you doing? You must dress.
APHRON LAYS THE ROBES ON THE BED, GOES TO GET A GOWN FROM A CHEST,
AND THE EMERALD CROWN. JOCASTA, WITHOUT ANSWERING, WITHOUT HURRYING,
FINISHES HER TASK, THEN PLACES THE FOLDED MATERIALS IN THE CRADLE.
JOCASTA: Take this away.
APHRON: But, your Majesty, the time...
JOCASTA: Take it away.
APHRON PICKS UP THE CRADLE AND TAKES IT OUT. JOCASTA
REMAINS VERY QUIET, VERY CALM. SHE LOOKS AT THE BED, TOUCHES THE ROBES.
APHRON RETURNS.
APHRON: Your Majesty...
JOCASTA: Thank you Aphron, Aphrodite. You were named for
the Goddess of Love.
APHRON: I had amusing parents.
JOCASTA: Your daughter and I were out riding this morning.
APHRON: Riding what?
JOCASTA: Horses, my goddess, horses. She was on
Haemons Nonios -- quick as light.
APHRON IS ABOUT TO OBJECT, BUT JOCASTA, PROGRESSIVELY
MORE DISTRACTED, WANDERS ABOUT THE ROOM.
JOCASTA: We went to the Sphinxs rock. Where she
jumped -- died. I saw her. Aphrodite, I saw her before she was
burned. She was beautiful. Acmon is dead. Kupia saw him.
He was a good friend -- like a father. Like a real father --
might have been. I think he fell on his sword. Creon should...
Comfort her, be kind to her. I will dress now.
SHE TAKES OFF HER NIGHTGOWN, LETTING IT FALL TO THE FLOOR. NUDE, SHE
STANDS TALL, LIKE THE GODDESS RISING FROM THE SEAS FOAM. SHE SAYS
JUST ABOVE A WHISPER:
JOCASTA: My child is alive.
APHRON: Your Majesty?
JOCASTA: Yes, alive. Last night he entered the darkness
where the seeds of his life were planted, and forgotten in his
fathers quest -- for what? Immortality? I will be happy in the
arms of the one who loves me, flesh of my flesh, as I love him. Why
would I not acquiesce?
APHRON: Your destiny is love... be careful.
JOCASTA: Why was this love assigned as the exclusive
pleasure of the Gods?
APHRON: Youll have to answer that for yourself.
JOCASTA: We humans were, no doubt, created by such a
sacred alliance. Why does an act of love inspire greater horror than the
murder of millions on the fields of battle?
APHRON: Ask Zeus. Better yet, ask Hera.
Does Oedipus know who you are...
JOCASTA: None of us know who we are... As men
struggle to possess the world, to secure their property rights,
they've lost sight of the beauiful dream of who they could be. Having
lost their trust, they will never know who...
APHRON: ...who he is?
JOCASTA: Even you, Aphrodite, dally where you should
not.
APHRON: Your Majesty -- forgive my transgressions.
JOCASTA: Kupia belongs to you. Creon can never claim her.
One day, tell her who her father is. Oedipus belongs to me.
Be kind to
him, as you have always been kind to me.
APHRON: Yes, your Majesty.
JOCASTA: Aphrodite -- who rose from chaos and danced
on the
sea....
APHRON: Oh, your Majesty!...
THEY BOTH BEGIN, LIGHTLY, TO LAUGH, DANCE A FEW STEPS. THEN, WITH
APHRONS HELP, JOCASTA BEGINS TO DRESS.
JOCASTA: All children belong to their mothers.
Oedipus does not know... must never know.
*
IN HIS ROOM, OEDIPUS STANDS QUITE STILL AS SEVERAL PEOPLE
HELP HIM TO DON THE HEAVY, PURPLE ROBES OF STATE. HE IS PENSIVE,
SERIOUS. NO ONE SPEAKS. TO ONE SIDE STANDS A PAGE, HOLDING A
PILLOW, ON WHICH RESTS THE IMPERIAL CROWN. WHEN HE IS READY,
OEDIPUS WALKS TO THE DOOR. THE PAGE FOLLOWS HIM.
KUPIA TAKES THE PILLOW AND THE IMPERIAL CROWN FROM THE
PAGE.
*
AS OEDIPUS COMES OUT, THE GUARDS IN THE HALLWAY FORM IN
RANKS BEHIND HIM -- AND ALL MOVE TOWARD THE THRONE ROOM. THERE IS A
STRIKING DIFFERENCE IN THE BEARING OF THE GUARDS: ORDER HAS COME
TO THE PALACE.
*
IN THE THRONE ROOM, WHICH IS NOW FORMALLY DECORATED, TO ONE SIDE, ALONE NEAR
THE WALL, STANDS THE SHEPHERD. HE IS ENTHRALLED BY HIS SURROUNDINGS,
AND GAZES FROM PLACE TO PLACE, PERSON TO PERSON. THE ASSEMBLED NOBLES
TALK AMONG THEMSELVES.
*
OUTSIDE THE THRONE ROOM, HAEMON STANDS NEAR THE DOORS.
OEDIPUS AND HIS GUARDS APPROACH. HAEMON STOPS
THEM.
HAEMON: We must wait for the Queen. HAEMON
STUDIES OEDIPUS, THEN ADDS ALMOST INAUDIBLY. Prince
Oedipus.
OEDIPUS SILENTLY ACKNOWLEDGES THE TITLE.
EVERYONE IN THE HALL STANDS SILENT, WAITING. CHEERING IS HEARD IN
THE DISTANCE.
*
TEIRESIAS, WITH HIS GUIDE, HAVING MOUNTED THE STEPS, ENTERS
THROUGH THE FRONT DOORS OF THE PALACE. FROM THE PEOPLE IN THE
COURTYARD THERE IS SCATTERED CHEERING. POLYPHONTES STEPS FORWARD
AND, DISMISSING THE BOY, TAKES TEIRESIAS ARM.
TEIRESIAS TOUCHES HIS HAND.
TEIRESIAS: Whose hands are these that tremble?
POLYPHONTES: Polyphontes.
TEIRESIAS: Polyphontes. You know words that could
stop this marriage.
POLYPHONTES: I will not speak.
TEIRESIAS: Your silence will destroy this house.
POLYPHONTES: My Queen has asked for my silence.
TEIRESIAS: Queen Jocasta?
POLYPHONTES: Yes. The Queen.
*
FROM A CORRIDOR, JOCASTA -- IN FULL REGALIA, WEARING THE EMERALD
CROWN -- WITH HER GUARDS APPROACHES. TEIRESIAS,
POLYPHONTES, AND JOCASTA MEET AT THE FOOT OF THE INTERIOR
STAIRWAY. JOCASTA AND TEIRESIAS ASCEND THE STEPS TOGETHER.
SHE HELPS HIM.
JOCASTA: Welcome, Teiresias.
TEIRESIAS: My child, my child. The Gods are against this
union.
JOCASTA: On the contrary, the Gods have ordained it. Zeus,
himself, meddles with my life.
TEIRESIAS: Hubris, Madame, madness! -- you do not see
where you
go.
JOCASTA: My eyes are open. They see more than yours. I
follow my fate of my own free will.
TEIRESIAS: And Oedipus?
JOCASTA: I will protect the one I love -- from the
misguided morality men have developed to possess the world.
TEIRESIAS: The Gods...
JOCASTA: IN A FIERCE WHISPER, THAT ONLY TEIRESIAS
CAN HEAR. What do you want me to do? Kill him? Kill him,
again? For what? -- the patriarchal nonsense of taboos.
TEIRESIAS: The Gods...
JOCASTA: You conciliate the Gods. I will not thank them
for my happiness. I will not blame them for my sorrow.
TEIRESIAS: For a score of years you will know
happiness...
JOCASTA: So much?
TEIRESIAS: And then from the heights...
JOCASTA: AS SHE MOVES AWAY FROM TEIRESIAS, HER WORDS
OVERRIDE HIS: I had not hoped for so much.
SHE SIGNALS TO POLYPHONTES TO HELP TEIRESIAS, AND WATCHES
UNTIL HE AND POLYPHONTES ENTER THE THRONE ROOM. THEN SHE WALKS
AHEAD TO JOIN OEDIPUS. AS THEY STAND FACING EACH OTHER,
SHE SMILES.
JOCASTA: Does one dare emulate the Gods?
OEDIPUS RETURNS HER SMILE, KISSES HER HAND.
*
A FLOURISH FROM THE TRUMPETS. LED BY JOCASTA AND OEDIPUS, THE
PROCESSION ENTERS THE THRONE ROOM. ALL THOSE GATHERED IN THE ROOM, THE
NOBLES, COURTIERS, GUARDS, SOLDIERS, KNEEL.
JOCASTA AND OEDIPUS APPROACH THE THRONE ON ITS DAIS.
JOCASTA: May I call you by your title?
OEDIPUS NODS. WHEN THEY REACH THE THRONE, JOCASTA TURNS
TO FACE THE ROOM; OEDIPUS KNEELS BEFORE HER. KUPIA, WITH
THE IMPERIAL CROWN, KNEELS TO ONE SIDE.
JOCASTA: Noble people of Thebes, my citizens. Today we
rejoice. The Sphinx is dead. Our great great hero, Oedipus, is with us.
Today a new history of peace, prosperity, of gentle love between the
Royal House of Thebes and its people begins. You know Oedipus as the
Hero of Thebes, but I shall call him by his rightful, high title: Prince
of Corinth.
THE PEOPLE, ASTONISHED, PLEASED, MURMURING LOOK TO EACH OTHER.
THE STRICKEN SHEPHERD STARTS FORWARD.
JOCASTA: Our exaled hero is Prince of mighty Corinth. He
has come, all unknowing, to save our city. I, Queen of Thebes, choose
him for my consort. His youth, his strength, his courage will help to
rebuild our land.
FRIGHTENED BY HIS OWN AUDACITY, THE SHEPHERD STANDS
UP AND FORCES HIMSELF TO SPEAK.
SHEPHERD: Your Majesty...
JOCASTA: This man will confirm my words.
SHEPHERD: Your Majesty...
JOCASTA: Yes, kind Shepherd. By your oath:
Does King Polybus rule Corinth?
SHEPHERD: Yes, your Majesty.
JOCASTA: Does he have but one son?
SHEPHERD: Only one, your Majesty.
JOCASTA: This is he, Prince of Corinth, called Oedipus.
SHEPHERD: DESPERATELY. Because of the wounds he
bears in his ankles.
JOCASTA: Thank you, gentle Shepherd.
SHE TURNS FROM HIM TO OEDIPUS. THE SHEPHERD, DAZED, SLOWLY
LOWERS HIS HEAD AND KNEELS.
JOCASTA: I have chosen this man to be my husband. By
custom, the Queen of Thebes can marry only the King of Thebes. You kneel
to me as Prince of Corinth, but by our solemn decree and royal will, you
shall rise -- King of Thebes.
JOCASTA TAKES THE CROWN FROM THE PILLOW KUPIA IS HOLDING.
JOCASTA: You have worn the laurels. Now, you wear the
diadem of Thebes. SHE PLACES THE CROWN ON HIS HEAD, AND
GIVES HIM HER HAND: Rise, King Oedipus, equal in sovereignty.
A NOBLE PROCLAIMS: Long Live Queen Jocasta! / Long Live
King Oedipus! / Joy and happiness to the Majesty of Thebes!
MANY VOICES REPLY: Long Live Queen Jocasta! / Long Live
King Oedipus!
JOCASTA: Rise, my people.
THE PEOPLE RISE. JOCASTA AND OEDIPUS SEAT
THEMSELVES ON THE DOUBLE THRONE. JOCASTA LOOKS STRAIGHT AHEAD TO
WHERE CREON, PROUD AND STILL IN A PLAIN WHITE TUNIC, STANDS IN
THE OPEN DOORWAY FLANKED BY THE QUEENS GUARDS IN GOLDEN
UNIFORMS. THE PEOPLE TURN TO LOOK AT CREON.
THE ROOM IS SILENT. THEN, SO SOFTLY IT IS ALMOST UNNOTICED, A CHANT
BEGINS. KUPIA IS HUMMING THE PEOPLE ARE SOMEWHAT PUZZLED,
AGITATED, UNNERVED AS KUPIAS SINGING GROWS LOUDER.
RECOGNIZING THE SOLEMN, MINOR CHANT FOR THE DEAD, OTHERS JOIN HER. WHEN
THE CHANT HAS DIED DOWN. THERE IS A LONG SILENCE.
JOCASTA: Come forward. My brother.
CREON STEPS FORWARD. STOPS. JOCASTA BECKONS
HIM AGAIN. Closer. We are siblings after all. I will not harm
you.
OEDIPUS: SHARPLY. Prince Creon...
JOCASTA RAISES HER HAND QUICKLY, TO STOP OEDIPUS.
JOCASTA: As ruler of Thebes, I hold absolute power of life
and death over all Thebans -- many of whom, great Creon, you have
treated as enemies. You play at life and death as if it were a game, as
if human lives were shadows in your mind. You have just killed a kind,
generous, honorable man, a loyal friend of yours.
CREON: Who are you talking about?
JOCASTA: Lord Acmon is dead.
CREON: Indeed? I didnt kill him.
JOCASTA: You imprisoned him on a frivolous charge. What
did you expect him to do? Theres a certain lack of consciousness
in this land, much of which flows from you. The epitome of Theban
aspiration, achievement, has been to send its men to war, to kill and be
killed -- to murder, rape, pillage. You, your cohorts, hirelings, Sown
Men, have warred and slain until our ground is soaked scarlet
with Theban blood. But now, I change that. I declare there shall
be no more wars. Not in my realm. Not in my lifetime. King Oedipus and
I will rule in peace. That is my desire, my decree, my dream for Thebes.
CREON: Would that you could, sweet Jocasta, order up reality
so easily. No more wars -- and, like magic, there are no more
wars...
OEDIPUS: QUIETLY, TO JOCASTA. Banish him.
JOCASTA AGAIN HOLDS UP HER HAND, NOT UNKINDLY, BUT
DEFINITIVELY. OEDIPUS, RESTLESS, IRRITATED, TEMPORARILY HOLDS HIS
PEACE. AFTER A LONG PAUSE, HE LEANS OVER TO AGAIN SPEAK QUIETLY WITH
JOCASTA.
OEDIPUS: Exile. Send him to Argos...
JOCASTA: TO OEDIPUS:: No. Oh no.
Creons
great
love is to spend nights in tents and days in killing. Hed be back
within a month with warriors to lay waste to Thebes. One more war, win
or lose, and Thebes will be in ruins: my land, your land, his land --
the land of all our people.
TO CREON: You have been, as you well know, the most
powerful man in Thebes, almost its God. But today, I deprive you of all
rank, title, privilege, and voice in the governing of Thebes. No longer
Prince Creon, you are the least of our citizens. Thebes Queen,
would have you in prison. While there, she must find something to tether
your warriors energy, temper your warriors blood, something
to tame you.
Less than four generations ago our ancestor Cadmus brought the new art
of writing to Thebes, the Phoenician alphabet, giving us the ability to
record events, make the recounting of human experience almost palpable,
almost permanent.
CREON: Used only for trickery.
OEDIPUS: Come, I am impatient to be married to the woman I
love...
HE GLANCES AT JOCASTA, THEN AROUND THE ROOM. SOME OF THE
NOBLES SMILE, BUT THE ATMOSPHERE REMAINS TENSE.
OEDIPUS: I charge you with treason, with the intention of
bringing Thebes to ruin, so you might force its rightful Queen from her
throne.
CREON: I have never desired to seize the throne. I wanted
only to do what kings do: Enhance our realm, bring prosperity,
win glory.
OEDIPUS: You will swear an oath of allegiance to Queen
Jocasta and to me.
INSTEAD OF ANSWERING OEDIPUS, HE SPEAKS TO JOCASTA.
CREON: I have no cause, my sister. to think you and our
young hero are capable of ruling Thebes -- my country, my land, the land
I love. No, I do not approve your rule conjoined with this insolent
riddle solver. I choose prison.
JOCASTA: Ah! Good! better than I had hoped! You
will be imprisoned -- in the North Wing where you misused your
youth, or, let us say, one-sidedly grew into -- not a statesman or a
philosopher -- but a killer of soldiers and citizens.
While being locked up -- for as long as you choose -- you will learn to
read and write. You will write for us a history of Thebes -- not its
wars -- but a definitive text about its government, and how it might be
improved. But no wars. Half of which have been savage slaughter, and the
other half, glorificaion of murder, thievery. You may name or count
them, but not detail their events, nor eulogize their heroes.
In addition to a history, you shall write a definitive text on how to
manage Thebes resources -- ways, without bloodshed, to bring glory
back to Thebes.
I am going to work you hard. You'll teach Oedipus from your vast store
of knowledge all there is to know about Thebes: its laws, its customs,
its resources: crops, cattle, mines, water -- and commit it all
to writing. I want you to share your knowledge, so that my
childrens generation will be literate, knowledgeable, informed
about their world. Oedipus, being from Corinth, may need little
instruction in trade. Perhaps you may learn from him.
CREON: Your idea is poppycock, your outlook is that of a
child.
OEDIPUS STEPS TOWARD CREON. JOCASTA RESTRAINS HIM
BY TOUCHING HIS ARM.
JOCASTA: Perhaps. But now that we can pass knowledge
directly, generation to generation, how long will it take to learn
enough to change from killing to kindness? One generation? Two? A
hundred years? A thousand years? Two thousand? I want the distillation
of your brilliance recorded -- the rest erased. I want your
wisdom, not your crimes to be remembered. You have a chance to speak
down centuries. I want you to speak of peace so that our world may one
day live in peace.
CREON: SMILING, ALMOST LAUGHING, GENIALLY. I beg
your pardon, my sister, Queen Jocasta, I am not a scribe, I am not a
writer. I have no interest in reading or writing.
THE NOBLES ARE APPRECIATIVE OF THE LIGHT HEARTED, BUT SERIOUS
NATURE OF THIS BANTER -- AS IS OEDIPUS.
JOCASTA: I know. Thats what makes it such a splendid
idea -- to put you back in the North Wing -- prison -- with guards to
see that you, at last, become interested in reading and writing.
I want our Cadmian heritage recovered, I want us to be known as a great
and literate society. Greater than Athens. Oedipus, has been raised a
literate prince. Even Kupia is scribe enough to teach you to write. Fine
teachers will come to fill your head with lessons until you can
write a history of Thebes. Your release will depend on it.
By then we hope your taste for bloodshed will have died! Indeed, having
become a civilized man, you may walk out of the North Wing one day to
share our peace and prosperity.
CREON: To put things on tablets, papyrus? Ha! My sister
do not attempt to play the trickster with me.
JOCASTA: The trick is I mean it. When you have completed
your task, when you are a good writer, and I have my fine texts, then we
will find use for you in our government.
CREON: You have chosen the wrong man.
JOCASTA: Teiresias predicts tragedy for you, but I think
only if you bring it on yourself. He also predicts that you will one day
rule Thebes.
OEDIPUS TURNS TOWARD CREON. JOCASTA AGAIN TOUCHES
OEDIPUS BUT NOW OEDIPUS DOES NOT RESPOND TO HER
TOUCH. HE SPEAKS TO CREON IN A CALM, IRONIC TONE.
OEDIPUS: If you do not vow allegiance, you will not be
imprisoned! You will be executed. Now! -- or at any time hereafter that
you break your oath -- instantly and cruelly.
JOCASTA: NOT EXACTLY PLEASED, BUT WILLING TO PLEASE
OEDIPUS: Which shall it be, Creon, son of Menoeceus?
Death?... or the crown's scribe?
CREON: Your cleverness is admirable, you scramble
thoughts with great skill.
JOCASTA: I have been well taught
OEDIPUS: TO CREON: We respect your
ability.
CREON: I think you are a dangerous man to work for.
TURNING TO JOCASTA And you...
OEDIPUS: We leave the choice to you.
CREON: My sister...
OEDIPUS' HAND MOVES TO HIS SWORD. AFTER A LONG PAUSE,
CREON KNEELS. AMONG THE NOBLES, GUARDS, ETC. THERE
IS A RELAXATION OF TENSION. SOME ARE SURPRISED. OEDIPUS RISES TO
STAND BESIDE JOCASTA.
OEDIPUS: You no longer have a sister. You have a
Queen.
CREON: BOWS HIS HEAD. I swear my allegiance to you,
my sister, Queen Jocasta...   and to you, Oedipus...   King of
Thebes...
LOOKING UP, CREON STUDIES OEDIPUS INTENTLY. THEIR
RESEMBLANCE TO EACH OTHER IS UNMISTAKABLE. IT OCCURS TO CREON
THAT OEDIPUS MIGHT BE HIS OWN SON.
CREON: By my life, I swear. By my life, honoring my
heritage, I will not break my oath.
JOCASTA: Rise then, Creon, even in prison you shall serve
as tutor to our new King. What you know, he must know. Thebes shall
prosper in peace.
GUARDS, WEARING IMPERIAL GOLD UNIFORMS, STEP FORWARD TO
SURROUND CREON.
JOCASTA: You may attend our wedding, but will stand behind
all others. Later, your assignment completed, you will become again
Prince and our brother.
CREON IS AS AMUSED AT THIS AS IS JOCASTA. HE IS INSULTED
AND DEMOTED, BUT HE CAN SEE IT IS ALSO THE TURNING POINT TO A NEW LIFE.
SHE SIGNALS FOR HIM TO STAND BEHIND THE CROWD. CREON AND HIS
GUARDS WILL BE THE LAST TO LEAVE THE THRONE ROOM.
JOCASTA: TURNS TO OEDIPUS, SMILING. Come. --
My love cries haste. I want thee for a husband.
ALL: NOBLES, SOLDIERS, GUARDS, ETC. KNEEL AS JOCASTA AND
OEDIPUS, IN A GREAT SWEEP OF PAGEANTRY, LEAVE THE THRONE ROOM.
THE NOBLES, COURTIERS, ETC., TALKING AMONG THEMSELVES, FILE
OUT TO FORM A PROCESSION BEHIND THE KING AND QUEEN.
TO ONE SIDE, THE SHEPHERD DETAINS TEIRESIAS. THE THRONE
ROOM IS ALMOST EMPTY.
SHEPHERD: IN A FRIGHTENED WHISPER: Teiresias, the
Prince of Corinth is...
TEIRESIAS: Silence, foolish Shepherd.
SHEPHERD: The Gods will punish her.
TEIRESIAS: With death, even as you and I.
*
JOCASTA AND OEDIPUS IN THE DARK FRONT HALL, WITH THE
PROCESSION BEHIND THEM, ADVANCE TO THE OPEN FRONT DOORS.
*
THE COURTYARD IS FILLED WITH PEOPLE, NOISY AND REJOICING. A GREAT
SHOUT GOES UP FROM THE CROWD AS JOCASTA AND OEDIPUS
EMERGE FROM THE PALACE. THEY CROSS THE THRESHOLD FROM DARKNESS
INTO THE SUNLIGHT. ONE PILLAR PARTIALLY SHADOWS OEDIPUS.
*
THE JOYOUS FESTIVAL GOES ON AND ON IN THE COURTYARD. ALL THE RESOURCES OF
THEBES HAVE BEEN BROUGHT INTO PLAY TO MAKE THIS A GRAND AND MEMORABLE
OCCASION. FROM THE SUNLIGHT ON JOCASTA AND OEDIPUS RADIANT BUT
UNSMILING FACES, WE MOVE TO FOCUS DIRECTLY ON THE SUN. THE SCREEN IS FLOODED
WITH GOLDEN LIGHT.
****
EPILOGUE
Two generations later, after the war known as The Seven Against Thebes
-- in which the twin sons of Jocasta and Oedipus killed each other --
during the Epigoni War Thebes was utterly destroyed. Its seven great
gates were reduced to rubble, its palace obliterated, and the line of
Cadmus, Polydorus, Labdacus, Laius, Jocasta, Oedipus, Polyneices,
Eteocles, Creon, was extinguished. Nothing was ever written about the
twenty years of peace and prosperity which Thebes had known under Queen
Jocasta and her son.
Ismene, the virgin scribe
Thebes was the most renowned warrior culture in ancient Greece. After
the twenty years of Jocastas peaceful reign, and after Oedipus had
blinded himself, their twin sons and grandsons turned Thebes into a
slaughter house, leaving their realm in total ruin. It never
recovered. Twenty years of peace, twenty years of destruction, and then
silence -- forever.
Jan Haag
FROM THE JOCASTA POEMS
#15 -- BLINDNESS
After twenty years of peace and
prosperity, happiness,
procreation, Oedipus found
out what Jocasta already knew,
and put out his eyes. Thus
began western civilization.
FROM THE JOCASTA POEMS
#16 -- DEATH
"Today Oedipus blinded himself, and is preparing
to wander off as a pilgrim. He likes to suffer;
drama was lacking in his life. He'd become a house-husband
and father, a little plump around the middle.
He wasn't about to let the drought be caused by nature.
Teiresias predicted twenty happy years.
The children are grown. I'm weary of humans'
needs, men's drama. Life is so simple, so beautiful.
But Oedipus, as so many men, is addicted to anguish,
addicted to creating problems out of the nature of things.
So be it. I have had more than I ever dreamed.
Surely some day a time will come when man will agree to happiness.
After he learns to save the autumn leaves, man will invent death.
So saying, being human, she hanged herself.
HISTORICAL NOTE:
As patriarchy pushed aside the matriarchy of ancient cultures, men felt
the need to safeguard the transmittal of their wealth, their property,
and their great accumulations of war booty by insuring the “purity” of
their lineage, the legitimacy of their heirs. Thus they sought to
control women’s sexuality, denied women their freedom, restricted their
access to men in the outside world and, via the Incest Taboo, sought to
outlaw available partners within the family. Only the (usually male)
Greek Gods were allowed the pleasure of copulating with their daughters
and sons, sisters and brothers, mothers and fathers. For the rest of
mankind they elevated the breaking of this taboo to be a far greater
crime than killing their fellow humans. Others persisted in their
original, pre-sin ways.
Copyright © 2009 through 2015 Jan Haag
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Registered WGA
janhaag.com
jjhaag@gmail.com