Costume Design - Oedipus

Tireseas' toga will be the color silver. Silver shows old age. It also means sadness, which he probably experienced since he knew the dark future, yet Oedipus wouldn't listen. Silver could also be like the gray fog of confusion that Tireseas can see through and find the truth, despite his blindness. 


A blue toga will be worn by Creon. He stayed cool, calm, and collected as Oedipus accused him of a conspiracy. Creon was also laid back, refusing to be king due to numerous responsibilities. Blue also represents loyalty, which Creon showed many times. He obeyed Oedipus' orders to go to Delphi, to take care of his daughters, and to exile him. 


Oedipus will wear a red toga. Red represents how Oedipus was a passionate king, caring for his people. It also shows his strength and violence, since he was able to take on and kill a 4 person party and Laius (excluding the lone survivor). Red also stands for blood, paying a reference to Oedipus' city (Thebes) dying, Laius' death, and to Oedipus blinding himself. 


The Shepherd  will wear a toga of yellow and black. He felt pity toward Oedipus as a baby, so he gave him over to the messenger. As a character, the Shepherd was caring and positive. He wanted to save a baby that was doomed from the start. The color yellow also represents how the light of realization finally shone on Oedipus when the shepherd revealed the truth. As a cast member in the end of the play, though, the shepherd will wear black also, foreshadowing Oedipus' dark, grim fate.


Messenger from Corinth will have a green toga. Green means good luck. The messenger tried to bring about luck by telling Oedipus that Polybus and his wife were not his real parents. He also tried to bring Oedipus luck by giving him to the king and queen of Corinth as a baby.  And, since the messenger was a former herdsman, green can also mean nature. Ironically, green also means misfortune. The news that the messenger gave to relieve Oedipus actually brought him closer to finding the dark truth.


A purple toga will be worn by Jocasta. Purple is the color of royalty, corresponding with Jocasta being queen. It also means cruelty and arrogance. She helped commit the ruthless deed of leaving an innocent baby to die. By doing this, she also thought she could outsmart and cheat fate. Purple also represents mourning, which Jocasta does when she figures out Oedipus is his son.