How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #7
OEDIPUS. I come to give this miserable body of mine
As a gift to you, not a serious thing to behold, but
The gains from it are superior to any beautiful form. (576-78)
Ha! Oedipus is offering his body up to Theseus as a gift. But not like that. No, he believes that his body will be a good luck charm if it’s buried in Athens. He acknowledges that it’s not that sexy (“not a serious thing to behold”) but the power is not in the appearances; his body may be old but it’s a darn attractive good luck charm.
Quote #8
OEDIPUS. Oh dearest child of Aegeus! Only for the gods
Is there never old age or death!
All other things almighty time confounds.
The strength of earth decays, that of the body decays,
Trust dies, and distrust blossoms forth. (607-11)
Old age is related to decay in Oedipus at Colonus. It’s all about things breaking down and returning to the earth. And Oedipus is pretty much back to the soil. But old age is also a sign of being human, as is death. This explains why Oedipus reminds us that the gods are the only ones who don’t have to deal with fine lines and the crypt.
Quote #9
CHORUS. Be confident! It will be by your side! For even if I am old,
The strength of this land has not grown old! (726-27)
Oedipus just said that the gods are the only ones who don’t grow old (see above), but actually the Chorus has a really good point. The land doesn’t get old and feeble either. The people who live in Athens, and Oedipus, too, have grown old. But the city is always renewing itself with young blood, making it forever young.