Answer:
O c. The city has been afflicted with a plague.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sophocles' play "Oedipus the King" follows the story of Oedipus, the king of Thebes, and his fate. He had unknowingly killed his own father, marrying his mother and thus, brought his own downfall.
The beginning of the play projects a scene where the citizens of Thebes have gathered in front of the palace. When asked by Oedipus why they are there, and in distress, the priest told him that they had been afflicted by a great plague that has killed many of them. He states "For our city, as you yourself can see, is badly shaken—she cannot raise her head above the depths of so much surging death", further stressing it as "deadly pestilence, that fiery god, swoops down to blast the city". So, they had come to their king, "our king, most powerful in all men’s eyes, we’re here as suppliants, all begging you to find some help for us, either by listening to a heavenly voice, or learning from some other human being".
Thus, the correct answer is option C.