The Plague In Oedipus Rex

“The Plague of Thebes, a Historical Epidemic in Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex” begins by proposing the idea that the plague described in Sophocles’ play could reflect an actual historical event. The journal analyzes the piece through the descriptions of the plague in the play, looking into to described signs and symptoms, determining the causal agent, and discussing potential treatments. Throughout the play itself, there are few references to the plague, and it is only discussed in length near the beginning, when it is discovered that Oedipus caused it. The plague provides a serious and sobering subplot for the main story line of Oedipus Rex.
Concerning the signs and symptoms of the plague, it is first noted that it affects the livestock of Thebes.