Oedipus (Dryden play) and Jocasta who die in the end: Of all the persons of the drama, scarce one survives the fifth act. Oedipus dashes out his brains, Jocasta stabs herself, their children are strangled, Creon kills Eurydice, Adrastus kills Creon and the insurgents kill Adrastus; when we add to this, that the conspirators are hanged, the reader will perceive, that the play, which began with pestilence, concludes with a massacre. The following quotation, taken from the epilogue, summarises Dryden's approach: <poem> Their [i.e. Dryden/ Lee] treat is what your palates relish most, Charm! song! and show! a murder and a ghost!</poem> Extensive
Nessus (mythology) Nessus (mythology) In Greek mythology, Nessus (Ancient Greek: ) was a famous centaur who was killed by Heracles, and whose tainted blood in turn killed Heracles. He was the son of Centauros. He fought in the battle with the Lapiths and became a ferryman on the river, Euenos. Nessus is known for his role in the story of the Tunic of Nessus. After carrying Deianeira, the wife of Heracles, across the river, he attempted to force himself upon her. Heracles saw this from across the river and shot a Hydra-poisoned arrow into Nessus's breast. As he lay dying, as a