Describe the condition of people thebes as play begins?

The play begins in the city of Thebes, which is in a state of despair and suffering due to a devastating plague that has gripped the city. The citizens are filled with fear and uncertainty as they witness their loved ones falling victim to the deadly disease. The plague has brought the city to a standstill, with its people facing widespread illness, economic disruption, and social unrest. The once bustling streets are now deserted, and the city is shrouded in an atmosphere of gloom and hopelessness. The people of Thebes are desperate for relief and turn to their king, Oedipus, to save them from this calamity.