Polybus

Family: Corinth · Role: adoptive father of Oedipus · First appears: Sophocles, King Oedipus — Scene 1

Life events

• Oedipus is saved by a shepherd and becomes the adopted son of Polybus.(Sophocles, King Oedipus — Scene 1 · 📍 Corinth)
  • With: Oedipus
  • “But he was saved by a compassionate shepherd, and became the adopted son of Polybus, king of Corinth.”
• Polybus dies, ending his reign in Corinth.(Sophocles, King Oedipus — Scene 5)
  • “No. Death confines him in a kingly grave.”
• Oedipus learns Polybus’s death was not caused by him, apparently disproving the prophecy.(Sophocles, King Oedipus — Scene 5)
  • With: Oedipus
  • “Who now lies slain by Fortune, not by him.”
• Oedipus learns Polybus was not his biological father but adopted him as a foundling.(Sophocles, King Oedipus — Scene 5)
  • With: Oedipus
  • “Because with Polybus thou hast no kin. OED. Why? Was not he the author of my life? COR. SH. As much as I am, and no more than I. OED. How can my father be no more to me Than who is nothing? COR. SH. In begetting thee Nor I nor he had any part at all. OED. Why then did he declare me for his son? COR. SH. Because he took thee once a gift from me.”

Sophocles, King Oedipus — Scene 1

• child: Oedipus “But he was saved by a compassionate shepherd, and became the adopted son of Polybus, king of Corinth.”

Sophocles, King Oedipus — Scene 5

• with Oedipus (Polybus raised and acknowledged Oedipus as his son, but was not his biological father.) “Because with Polybus thou hast no kin. OED. Why? Was not he the author of my life? COR. SH. As much as I am, and no more than I. OED. How can my father be no more to me Than who is nothing? COR. SH. In begetting thee Nor I nor he had any part at all. OED. Why then did he declare me for his son? COR. SH. Because he took thee once a gift from me.”
• married with merope (Meropè is identified as the consort of the Corinthian king Polybus.) “OED. Queen Meropè, the consort of your king.”
• child: Oedipus “JO. Hear that man's tale, and then consider well The end of yonder dreadful prophecy. OED. Who is the man, and what his errand here? JO. He comes from Corinth, to make known to thee That Polybus, thy father, is no more.”

Euripides, The Phœnician Virgins — Scene 1

• ward: Oedipus “sends it as a present to his foster-father Polybus.”

Euripides, The Phœnician Virgins — Scene 8

• servant: Oedipus “but the God fixed it my lot to serve under Polybus my master”

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Extracted from the original text of Greek Tragedy. Made with Rho MD.