Sophocles in Oedipus Tyrannus employs children’s roles. Although the children stay silent and do not speak, their participation is highly significant for the drama’s language (λέξις) and for the spectacle (ὄψις) as well. It is seen that other characters in the play address themselves to them, talk on these children’s behalf, or converse with others about them. The poet utilizes the children’s presence to show how critical the dramatic situation is, and, also, in order to underline the speaking characters’ various moral qualities (ἦθος ). Thus, the children’s role, either through the drama’s λέξις, the spectacle, the symbolisms, or the revelation of their presence is very important. In the course of this study, along with all the elements pertaining to the subject matter, it is imperative that we take into consideration fifth century B.C. Athenian society institutions as well as ancient Greek tragedy’s rules and conventions.
