What is Oedipus' primary motivation throughout the action of the play? Oedipus’s primary motivation throughout the action play was to find King Laius murderer.
What were his motives in actions prior to the play? Oedipus’s motive in actions prior to the play was to distance himself from the prophecy.
What characters try to dissuade him from pursuing his purpose, and why do they do so? Many characters try to dissuade Oedipus from pursuing his purpose including Teiresias, a priest and Jocasta.
How do his subjects regard him? At the start, the people of Thebes consider Theban King Oedipus the savior of their city. He previously saves them from an oppressive tax burden. They now suffer from a famine, a low birth rate, and a pestilence that's killing off their grazing flocks and herds. They believe that Oedipus once again can sort things out properly.