Structure Of Oedipus The King - 1452 Words

Nearly every Greek play has a clear central theme that is emphasized by both its characters and its structure. The everlasting Theban plays are no exception to this. Of the three Theban plays, Oedipus the King is the finest example of how a drama’s structure and characters heavily contribute to the development of the theme. In the prologue of Oedipus the King by Sophocles, the audience learns that the city-state of Thebes, ruled by a beloved man by the name of Oedipus, is in shambles. However, almost immediately after the audience discovers this, the supposed solution is revealed. In order to cure the city of Thebes, Oedipus must delve deeper into the mysterious death of the previous king, Laius, and punish whoever is responsible for his†¦show more content†¦Better to live at random, best we can. And as for this marriage with your mother—have no fear. Many a man before you, in his dreams, has shared his mother’s bed. Take such things for shadows, nothing at all— Live, Oedipus, as if there’s no tomorrow! (1068-1078). While Oedipus did exactly the opposite, stating; She perhaps, she with her woman’s pride may well be mortified by my birth, but I, I count myself the son of chance, the great goddess, giver of all good things-I’ll never see myself disgraced. She is my mother! (1186-1190). These two contrasting viewpoints say a lot about how people act in times of distress. Jocasta, by trying to play the situation off, shows how people sometimes lie to themselves in order to feel better about their situation. By saying that many other men dream about sharing their mother’s bed, she attempts to justify that their marriage is normal. Even though it is clearly not. In fact, what she said was a logical fallacy--for multiple reasons. Most prominently because what she said is a lie, most men do not dream about sleeping with their mother. But also because even if they did, that does not mean that Oedipus should as well. Additionally, by claiming that Jocasta’s â€Å"womanly pride† clouded her judgment, Oedipus shows how people make excuses for themselves in difficult situations. Just like Jocasta, Oedipus simply makes an excuse for himself so that he does not feel any remorse for ignoring Jocasta’s requests. Later, Oedipus gouges outShow MoreRelate dOedipus Reaction Paper639 Words   |  3 PagesReaction Paper on Oedipus The King World Literature Oedipus the King, also known by the  as Oedipus Rex, is an   tragedy  written by  Sophocles.  It was the second of Sophocles s  three Theban plays  to be produced, together with Oedipus at Colonus  and then  Antigone.  Oedipus Rex  chronicles the story of  Oedipus, a man who becomes the king of Thebes who was destined from birth to murder his father  Laius  and marry his mother  Jocasta. The play is an example of a classic tragedy, noticeably containing anRead MoreOedipus Rex and the Heros Journey898 Words   |  4 PagesQuestion: Discuss whether or not a hero who is tragic by trait and definition can exist within the structure of the monomyth. Quote Bank â€Å"untroubled influence† (Fitzgerald, 31) â€Å"can not lift her head from the death surge† (Fitzgerald, 4) â€Å"what defilement?† (Fitzgerald, 7) â€Å"how shall [they] rid [themselves] of it?† (Fitzgerald, 7) â€Å"no help in the truth† (Fitzgerald, 17) â€Å"the net God has been weaving for him† (Fitzgerald, 39) Response By definition, a tragic hero is a character who is unavoidablyRead MoreOedipus-a Tragic Hero706 Words   |  3 PagesRunning head: Oedipus-A Tragic Hero Research Paper ENGL 102: Literature and Composition) Fall 2015 Melinda Meeds L26683811 APA Outline Thesis: In Sophocles’ â€Å"Oedipus†, Oedipus is exemplified as a tragic hero according to Aristotle’s definition because his story appeals to the reader’s humanity in the way he maintains his strengths after inadvertently causing his own downfall. I. Oedipus A. The noble birth. B. Describe Oedipus’ character. II. Tragedy A. DescribeRead MoreAn Analysis and Comparison of Modern Tragedy in Drama1485 Words   |  6 Pageson certain requirements. According to Aristotle the three most important variables that define a tragedy are plot, characters, and theme. Using Oedipus Rex as a sort of ideal, this philosopher demonstrates how a tragedy functions in order to evoke catharsis while exploring themes and human flaws, or mistakes. In Oedipus Rex, the main figure, Oedipus the King is a subject of fate, unable to escape himself and his desire to uncover the truth. In essence, this drama demonstrates the fall of a prominentRead MoreOedipus Rex Analysis Essay1739 Words   |  7 Pagesare also the voice of reason, clarity and sense, attributes to which we cannot associate with Oedipus. And so they play a vital role, connecting his actions back to the play. A way to describe the chorus, would be that theyre the collective conscious of ‘the people of Thebes, but they also act as guardians. For although they a re seen appealing to Oedipus to help them, they in turn have to help the king, they represent the faith that the city has in him. The chorus appears mainly in sections ofRead More Tragedy in Oedipus the King and Dolls House Essay example1057 Words   |  5 Pageshas been considered, even by Aristotle himself, the greatest tragedy ever written, Oedipus the King. He delves into the human psyche: bringing forth the notion of predestination, a supposition desperately believed in by humans, betraying the fatal flaws of his hero and manifesting the suffering brought upon the hero by his tragic downfall. Though it was written more than a millennium ago, its basis and structure for tragedy has held strong, showing true in the modern tragedy of A Doll’s House.Read MoreWhat Does Oedipus the King Show Us About Greek Thought on Fate, Gods, and Free Will?1321 Words   |  5 PagesWhat does Oedipus the King show us about Greek thought on Fate, the gods, and free will? Oedipus is a play that explores the styles of freewill and fate throughout its totality. This is the tale of a guy and how he tries to resist his own fate and thus focuses on his defense of the future that he needs. Oedipus wished to reject his personal predestination and wanted make a life of his own choosing. The tale all started by a prediction upon Oedipus life that therw will come a day when he wouldRead MoreOedipus Rex by Sophocles889 Words   |  3 PagesSophocles’s Oedipus the King, fate is primary theme in the play. The influence of fate goes beyond the play but how Greeks viewed fate entirely. Also, Oedipus somewhat represented the Athenian political system and the people of Athens by his leadership. And lastly, having the play unfold, one is able to sympathize with Oedipus and strike pity and fear rather than disgust from his sins. The power of fate in Oedipus the King was one that shaped the entire story. In the beginning of the play, Oedipus heardRead MoreOedipus The King : A Tragic Hero870 Words   |  4 Pagestragedies and his most famous being performed there. While only seven of his plays have survived, many, like Oedipus the King, are still prevalent today. It definitely meets the five main criteria for a tragedy: a tragic hero of noble birth, a tragic flaw, a fall from grace, a moment of remorse, and catharsis. Oedipus the King is seen as a perfect tragedy. It features a hero with a tragic flaw, Oedipus, and highlights many common themes in Greek tragedy such as fate or destiny, love, pride, loss, the abuseRead MoreCharacter Analysis Of Oedipus The King1419 Words   |  6 PagesSeptember, 2017 Ignorance Can Lead to Great Agony Plays were of great importance in early Greek culture. Plays were the main source of entertainment, and one of the most prominent examples is Oedipus the King written by Sophocles. The drama is uplifted by the character development and excellent structure Sophocles has put forward. Interactions between characters and each character’s motivations generate brilliant themes throughout the play. Sophocles uses a technique called recognition, which illustrates