1. Oedipus Rex
by Sophocles

2. Sophocles
496 – 406 B. C.
his dramatic work portrayed misery and tragedy
he also became a distinguished public official

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

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

5. OEDIPUS REX - Background
Peloponnesian War( BC)
Oedipus Rex was produced; Athens suffered from political instability and devastating plague.

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

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

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

9. OEDIPUS REX-Prologue Creon returns
Tells Oedipus plague will end when murderer of Laius is found

10. MAIN CHARACTERS

11. Teiresias
wise, old, blind prophet and servant of Apollo
knows everything

12. Jocasta the wife and mother of Oedipus
she tries to protect Oedipus from the awful truth

13. Oedipus protagonist his name means “swollen-foot”
he inspires both pity and fear

14. 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)

15. Oedipus
when he curses the murderer of Laius he is cursing himself and predicting his own exile

16. Creon brother of Jocasta (both brother and uncle to Oedipus)
Oedipus feels threatened by Creon and believes that he covets the throne
He has no desire to be king, and that Oedipus harms himself in making such accusations

17. THEMES quest for identity and truth nature of innocence and guilt
nature of moral responsibility
Fate vs. free will
Excessive power and pride

18. Imagery
references to light and darkness to predict the future

19. Foreshadowing
sign or warning of what is to come in the future of the story

20. Background Oedipus was travelling to Thebes
He happened upon a monster who had taken control of city
If he were to destroy the monster, he would become king
He does just that and becomes king
A blight falls upon the city of Thebes

21. Oedipus Rex by Sophocles
Greek mythology
Fate vs. free will (theme)
Plays were a form of entertainment
Can be complicated / take good notes! (write down anything important)

22. Important Information: Oedipus Rex
Characters:
Oedipus Rex (Oedipus the King): main character; blinded by power; prophecy says he will kill father and marry mother
Jocasta: wife and mother to Oedipus
Creon: brother-in-law and uncle to Oedipus; wants to help him
Teiresias: wise, old, blind prophet
Other characters: help to move plot along

23. Background
As a baby, Oedipus’s parents sent him to a mountain to die (knew his prophecy and pinned feet together)
Man found him; took him to another city; king of city (Polybus) adopted him
When he grew up, he went on a journey
Arrived in Thebes; there was a monster (sphinx)
If he defeated sphinx, he would become king and marry queen
He does defeat the monster; becomes king, Thebes is ravaged by plague – citizens want him to help (play starts here)

24. While reading… What has more control: fate or free will?
What is Oedipus’s power doing to him?
Are the people around him acting morally? Is he?
How do Oedipus’s decisions affect his life?
Are people inherently good or evil based on your reading?
What lesson can we take away from this text?