The Oedipus Story

The unexplored life is not worth living. That was the Greek philosopher Socrates, now dead these 23 centuries. The CBS Radio Workshop, dedicated to man's imagination, the theatre of the mind. Our theme tonight is a timeless one.

The tragic fate of men and women who violate mankind's most awesome taboos and must suffer the penalty. both in the torments of their own souls and in the fearful punishment meted out to them by gods and men, even if they were actually innocent of guilty intent.

The specific situation involved in our study is so ancient that we refer to it by a term derived from the name of a Greek prince who lived more than 3,000 years ago. Our title? The Edipus Story.

The edifice we are told was the son of King Lios and Queen Yochaaster of the Greek city state of Thebes, not far from Athens, and belonged to the generation just preceding that of the Trojan War, that is, to the eleventh century before Christ.

Edifice's parents were childless, and had in despair sent a messenger to the famous temple of Beebus Apollo at Delphi to ask the god through his prophetic priestess to grant them a son and heir. I'm sent by my lord and lady, the king and queen of thebes, to pray a boon of mighty feebas.

I bring gifts. Lame the boon. The king and queen lack one thing only to make their happiness complete. A son. Hmm, let me see those offerings. A trifle. Gold? No. Good workmanship, though. Spicy is incense.

Know me? The sheep are tied outside. How many? Three. Where, stay where you are, whatever your name is, while I consult the God. Mighty, Son, Heavenly Archer, Cheers of the Gods. There's one before me who seeks a favor.