Oedipus Rex by Sophocles

Sophocles 496 – 406 B. C. a playwright who lived a long, comfortable, happy life grew up in a wealthy family in ATHENS, GREECE

One of the BIG 3 in Greek literature – Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides Sophocles

His dramatic work portrayed misery and tragedy Reflected his strong religious beliefs and beliefs in Gods/fate of his culture Also believed in the power of Man ( only up to a point)

Is considered a master of artistic development of incident, working on feelings, culmination of interest leading up to final crisis, crushing blow of catastrophe FOCUS - Tragedy of Character vs. of Situation (Aeschylus)

By age 16 - already known for his beauty, grace, and was chosen to lead a boys’ choir In his first competition - took first prize, defeating Aeschylus the great playwright He won 18 FIRST prizes; never failed to take at least Second Sophocles

An accomplished actor, he performed in many of his own plays Weak voice forced him to give up acting Additional duties included acting as ordained priest, serving on Board of Generals, and being director of the Treasury Sophocles

One of the great innovators of Greek theater: –First to add a third actor -Abolished the trilogic form – made each tragedy a complete entity, unlike Aeschylus -Credited with inventing scene- painting Sophocles

Of his remaining 7 plays, Oedipus the King is considered his greatest work Explores the depths of modern psycho-analysis as Oedipus unwittingly kills his father and marries his mother Masterful work of plot & suspense, employs allusion and dramatic irony Sophocles

Oedipus the King is often heralded as a ‘perfectly structured’ play Oedipus the King is part of three plays – Antigone (written first), Oedipus the King, and Oedipus of Colonus (405 B.C. written last) Sophocles

Sophocles The age of Sophocles in Greece was a time when anything seemed possible through human effort and reason.

Sophocles Toward the end of Sophocles’ life, Athens battled Sparta, its bitter rival There was also a great plague in 430 BC

Sophocles Sophocles’ surviving plays (written after 440 B.C.) are deeply troubling.

Sophocles These plays depict characters caught up in unsolvable dilemmas that test their faith in divine and human justice.

Works focus on KEY question(s) of JUSTICE Sophocles

Why are good people made to suffer? Why is there irrational evil in the world? Sophocles

Sophocles’ beliefs reflect the concept of balance, order, justice (the world is orderly and follows natural laws). Sophocles

No matter how good or well intentioned man may be, if he violates a natural law, he will be punished and he will suffer. BUT… Sophocles

… DESPITE the fact that Human knowledge is limited, there is NOBILITY in human suffering. (Key Sophocles’ belief) Sophocles

OEDIPUS REX INTRODUCTION

one of the world’s greatest tragedies

OEDIPUS REX a TRAGEDY is a serious drama featuring a main character who strives to achieve something and is ultimately defeated!

OEDIPUS REX the tragic flawThe main character’s downfall is often due to an inborn character flaw or weakness – the tragic flaw.

OEDIPUS REX - Background During the early years of the Peloponnesian War, when Oedipus Rex was produced, Athens suffered from political instability and devastating plague.

OEDIPUS REX - Background Sophocles opens his play with a situation the people of Athens could identify with: a plague with no end in sight!

Ancient Athens – 5 th Century B. C.

OEDIPUS REX-Prologue The city of Thebes is ravaged by plague Citizens beg King Oedipus for help

OEDIPUS REX-Prologue Oedipus sends his brother-in-law, Creon, to the oracle of Apollo at Delphi.

OEDIPUS REX-Prologue Creon returns and announces that the plague will end when the Thebans punish the murderer of their previous king, Laius.

OEDIPUS REX-Prologue Oedipus tries to take the role of savior and vows to do everything in his power to find the murderer and save his people

OEDIPUS REX-Prologue Oedipus does not realize that his vow will ultimately lead him to an encounter with himself, his past, and his darkest secrets!!!

MAIN CHARACTERS

Teiresias Blind prophet and servant of Apollo Reveals the reasons for the devastation and plague in Thebes

Teiresias One of the most powerful characters in the play Tells Oedipus he will become blind and poor

Jocasta Wife AND mother of Oedipus She tells Oedipus not to trust in the oracles She tries to protect Oedipus from the awful truth

Jocasta She alternately condemns and upholds the authority of the oracles as best suits the direction of the argument at the moment

Oedipus Protagonist His name means “swollen-foot” He inspires both pity and fear

Oedipus A hereditary curse has been placed on his family, and he unknowingly has fulfilled the terms of the prophecy that he would kill his father (Laius) and marry his own mother (Jocasta)

Oedipus When he curses the murderer of Laius, he is cursing himself and predicting his own exile and consequent life of “wretchedness.”

Oedipus He is wise, revered by his subjects, and dedicated to the discovery of truth He wants to rid Thebes of the plague, but Fate and the Gods have other things in store for him

Chorus of Theban Elders Men of Thebes who honor and respect the king and the gods Their odes reveal both a strong attachment to the king as well as grounding in religious culture

Creon Brother of Laius Oedipus feels threatened by Creon and believes that he covets the throne Creon defends himself saying he has no desire to be king and that Oedipus harms himself in making such accusations

Messenger Tells Oedipus that King Polybos of Corinth is dead Oedipus learns from the messenger that Polybos was not his father The messenger had been given Oedipus as an infant by one of Laius’ men

Shepherd of Laius Reveals his information only after Oedipus threatens his life Admits to receiving the infant (he gave to Polybos’ messenger) from Laius and Jocasta Oedipus eventually realizes his own identity and his crimes of patricide and incest after hearing the shepherd’s story

Second Messenger Announces and describes Jocasta’s suicide Predicts future sorrows for a people whose kings descend from this polluted line

The Chorus Choral odes bring an additional viewpoint to the play Offer a broader and more socio-religious perspective than those offered by individual characters

THEMES Quest for identity and truth Nature of innocence and guilt Nature of moral responsibility

Universal Ideas – supported by THEMES The Limits of Free Will The Willingness to Ignore the Truth

Author Style - Imagery References to light and darkness to predict the future

Example of Imagery darkened.The priest says at the beginning: "All the house of Kadmos is laid waste; all emptied, and all darkened.”

Example of Imagery Oedipus promises Creon: “Then once more I must bring what is dark to light.”

Author Style - Foreshadowing Developed by use of DRAMATIC IRONY

Example of Foreshadowing Teiresias tells Oedipus that he is the one who is really blind: “But I say that you, with both your eyes, are blind. You cannot see the wretchedness of your life.”

SUMMARY SUMMARY ‘Oedipus Rex’ is the story of a king of Thebes upon whom a hereditary curse is placed and who therefore has to suffer the tragic consequences of Fate.

SUMMARY SUMMARY During the time of plague, fires,and other forms of decimation, Oedipus decides to take action to restore life and prosperity to his kingdom.

SUMMARY SUMMARY Oedipus discovers, through his quest for truth, that his identity is not what he thought. He learns he has killed his father, married his mother, and had children with her.

SUMMARY SUMMARY Oedipus’ wife/mother – Jocasta – kills herself and Oedipus blinds himself and goes into exile Creon becomes King of Thebes THE END!