Film Analysis Of Oedipus Rex

Film Analysis Of Oedipus Rex
In the film adaptation of the play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, Pasolini displays many attributes of a tragic impact in Edipo Re. According to
Aristotle's definition of a tragedy, "Tragedy, then, is the imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude...in the form of
action, not narrative; through pity and fear effecting the proper purgation of these emotions", Pasolini uses many elements of film to convey the pity
and fear intended in Aristotle's play. Aristotle believes that in order to create the perfect tragedy, the audience should feel bad for the protagonist. In
order to create pity and fear, Pasolini's film incorporates elements of cinematography to create the tragic effect. Through Pasolini's use of costume,
makeup, spectacle, and colors in his film direction, Edipo Re allows him to meet Aristotle's definition of arousing pity and fear and enhances the tragic
effect of his piece.
Costume and makeup is an important aspect of the film because it contributes to the mood during a specific scene. In Edipo Re, Pasolini requires a
specific costume design so that the character's motives are clear. Whenever a character is blindsided by the truth of Oedipus's fate, they are seen with
dark lighting around their eyes. Usually, the dark appearance of the eyes are created by hats or makeup. This effect emerges when Oedipus and Jocasta
encounter parts of the truth but refuse to believe the statements. When Oedipus leaves for his journey to find the
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Mythology in Oedipus Rex Essays
Mythology in Oedipus Rex
E. T. Owen in "Drama in Sophocles' Oedipus Tyrannus" comments on the mythological beginnings of Oedipus Rex:
Professor Goodell says: "Given an old myth to be dramatized, Sophocles' primary question was, 'Just what sort of people were they, must they have
been, who naturally did and suffered what the tales say they did and suffered?" That was his method of analysis (38).
The Greek Sophoclean tragedy Oedipus Rex is based on a myth from the Homeric epic Odysseus. With his tragic flaw the protagonist, Oedipus, lives
out the main episodes of the Homeric myth.
In his essay "Sophoclean Tragedy" Friedrich Nietzsche searches out the mythology in this drama, and finds that the...show more content...
From this we can deduce that the myth used by Sophocles in Oedipus Rex had to be older than the seventh century BC because Homer employed it at
that time. C. M. Bowra in "Sophocles' Use of Mythology" gives the rationale behind the Attic dramatists' preference for myths in their plays:
Myth provided the framework of drama, which illustrated in a highly concrete and cogent way some important crisis or problem, and that is why
Greek tragedy can be called symbolical. The old stories are indeed told again for their own sake, and there is no lack of dramatic tension and human
interest, but they also exemplify some far–reaching problem, which is admirably presented in this individual shape(31).
The Homeric myth provides the story of the fall of a man from prosperity to adversity. Sophocles takes the myth and dramatizes it in such a way that
every word and action makes an impact on the audience. The audience can see the error that beset Oedipus, and see his living state of mind as reflected
in themselves; they empathize with him in his moral decline.
Aristotle's analysis admits that the tragic flaw in Oedipus could be either a moral misjudgment or an intellectual error on the part of the king. In his
essay "On Misunderstanding the Oedipus Rex," E. R. Dodds takes the reader back to Aristotle in his consideration of this question of the flaw:
I shall take Aristotle as my starting point. . . .

Oedipus Rex Analysis Essay
The chorus play an important role throughout the play, they not only set up various scenes, but they represent the collective moods and feelings that
are supposed to be felt at the time. When the chorus mourns, the audience mourn. They are 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 they're the collective conscious of В‘the people' of Thebes, but they also act as guardians. For although they are 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 of the play in...show more content...
A man, who believes himself to be in total control and on the edge of supreme knowledge, doesn't know the one thing that defines him. And yet he
seeks it so eagerly so to reveal the problems that elude him, even though they will lead to his downfall. With each step he takes towards the truth he
buries himself deeper into the mystery while at the same time burying himself into a metaphorical grave.
Creon enters and questions the people around him if it is true that Oedipus had slanderously accused him. The Chorus tries to act as mediator, but
Oedipus emerges and charges Creon with treason. Creon argues for his innocence but Oedipus refuses to listen. This highlights Oedipus' obstinate
behaviour, he refuses to contemplate fallibility, as he assumes his own absolute knowledge, and that he knows that Creon is wrong even without
evidence.
They continue to fight until Jocasta emerges. They explain the nature of their argument to Jocasta, who begs Oedipus to believe Creon. The Chorus
also begs Oedipus to be flexible, and Oedipus reluctantly concedes and allows Creon to continue. Jocasta asks Oedipus why he is so upset and he
explains to her what Teiresias prophesied. Jocasta consoles him by telling him that there is no truth in soothsaying, and she has proof. She tells that
an oracle told Laius that his own son would kill him, so as a preventative he and Jocasta gave their infant son to a shepherd, to leave out on a hillside
to die with its feet

Oedipus Rex : A Tragic Journey Of Self Discovery
Both wisdom and folly, truth and falsehood are different forms of the same thing: the relationship between light and darkness. To the ancient Greeks,
whether one is in darkness or light is determined by their ability to see spiritually, which they believed the physically blind were capable of. This
contrast between spiritual sight and mere physical sight is a major theme in Oedipus Rex, a Greek tragedy written by the legendary Sophocles, a Greek
playwright so skilled that he won at the Festival of Dionysus approximately twenty times with his masterfully crafted tragedies (Buller). Set in the
city–state of Thebes in Ancient Greece, Oedipus Rex is a tragic journey of self–discovery as King Oedipus uncovers his origins and how he unwittingly
...show more content...
Upon learning the damning revelation that he himself is responsible for Laius' death, Oedipus adamantly refuses to accept the prophecy and boasts
about his credentials in a vain attempt to divert the accusation: There was a riddle too deep for common wits; A seer should have answered it; but
answer came there none From you; bird–lore and god–craft all were silent. Until I came – I, ignorant Oedipus, came – (36–37)
Oedipus' speech about his accomplishments exposes his arrogant nature and reveals the fact that Oedipus revels in the glory of his achievements;
blinding himself to his vices as a consequence. In addition, Oedipus' sudden flash of rage at Teiresias upon the seer's refusal to prophesy, despite the
seer's warnings of the pain and anguish the prophecy would bring demonstrates the very rash, quick–tempered nature that led Oedipus to kill his own
father Laius (48). Oedipus certainly is very knowledgeable, but he lacks wisdom as he refuses to see his faults and heed the warnings of others. For
this reason, even Oedipus calling himself "ignorant" can be seen as mere false humility, as his rash, arrogant nature reveals itself yet again when
Oedipus accuses Creon of being the "proved plotter" against his life and a "thief" trying to steal Oedipus' crown (40). Despite Creon handling such an
outrageous accusation with care and producing sound arguments as to why he would not be interested in the throne, Oedipus clings to his argument

Oedipus Rex Research Paper
Dramatic Research Paper (Grade 92)
"Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles
Introduction/Thesis "Oedipus Rex" was a Greek Tragedy written by Sophocles in the fifth century BC. It was the first of a trilogy of plays surrounding
the life of Oedipus. Sophocles wrote over 120 plays approximately 100 years before Aristotle even defined a tragedy and the tragic hero. Aristotle's
definition of a tragedy is "... an imitation of an action of high importance, complete and of some amplitude; in language enhanced by distinct and
varying beauties; acted not narrated; by means of pity and fear effecting its purgation of these emotions" (Kennedy and Gioa 2010). According to
Aristotle there were six elements to a tragedy: the plot, the character, the...show more content...
Because of his commitment to his people and their suffering, he sent his brother–in–law, Creon, to Delphi to see the gods to find out why his city is
under such a great plague and what he can do to stop it. Creon returns and says, "... It was murder that brought the plague–wind on the city" and that it
was King Laios that was murdered years ago (Prologue, 104–105). Vowing to bring the murderer to justice and being a just King,Oedipus decrees that
if the murderer reveals himself he will not be killed, he will be exiled. This determination and tenaciousness was the beginning of the end of King
Oedipus. The first incidents of Oedipus' arrogance and pride were when he went to the Oracle of Delphi about his lineage. Even though the Oracle
did not answer the question about his lineage, the Oracle did give him a prophecy that he would kill his father and marry his mother. Thinking that
he was doing the right thing by putting as much distance between his parents and himself, it was arrogance and pride that ruled him. He believed
that he could out run the gods and defy prophecy. Another example of Oedipus' arrogance was when he was forced off the road by another chariot;
he lost his temper when the old man angered him causing the death of the old man and his aides. Because of his intelligence and his keen sense being
able to solve riddles; again, his arrogance was when he solved the riddle of the Sphinx. The Sphinx was so distraught that

Oedipus Rex And Religion Essay
An Analysis of Religion in Oedipus Rex
I. Introduction – Role of religion in Greek culture. Oedipus Rex has survived the ages and audiences and readers alike continue to be surprised,
revolted, and forced to confront those moral reactions that this play inspires. Religion was a dominate force in ancient Greece and had a highly
cohesive effect on society (Garland).
Context: The poleis in ancient Greece believed the roll of the gods were to control of human destiny; and the gods controlled everything regarding
man and nature. These myths were religion in Greece 300 years before Christ. At the outset, we see the gods at work. The poleis in ancient Greece
believed that specific gods controlled events in both man and nature. The gods were...show more content...
Something somewhere is in charge. Religion was a dominate force in ancient Greece and had a highly cohesive effect on society (Garland). Sophocles
reflects the role of religion and its importance in Greek society within his plays; Oedipus is the embodiment of their beliefs (Watling).
Thesis: Religion plays a dominant role in Oedipus' defiant struggle as he challenges the gods' supremacy and mandated control of human destiny.
IV. Conclusion Throughout history religion has always been a formidable force, both good and bad, influencing decisions and outcomes (Roman). In
Oedipus, Sophocles provides a scenario that has the play's characters questioning their own religious beliefs. The plague on the city and prophecy
fulfilled directly challenge their convictions.
Is there a higher power that is ultimately in control? The gods were in control all along; intolerant of his determination to outwit and thwart their

Mythology in Oedipus Rex Essay examples
Mythology in Oedipus Rex
In "The Oedipus Legend" Bernard M. W. Knox talks of the advantages accruing to Sophocles as a user of myths in his dramas:
The myths he used gave to his plays, without any effort on his part, some of those larger dimensions of authority which the modern dramatist must
create out of nothing if his play is to be more than a passing entertainment. The myths had the authority of history, for myth is in one of its aspects the
only history of an age that kept no records. . . . the myths served as typical patterns of the conduct of man and the manifestation of the gods (85).
This essay seeks to explore the life of the flawed mythological person, Oedipus, as protagonist of...show more content...
The epic was most probably put into writing early in the seventh century before the present era. . . . "And I saw the mother of Oedipodes, fair
Epicste, who wrought a monstrous deed in ignorance of mind in that she wedded her own son, and he, when he had slain his own father, wedded her,
and straightway the gods made these things known among men. . . .She made fast a noose on high from a lofty beam, overpowered by her sorrow."
(Bowra 33).
From this we can deduce that the myth used by Sophocles in Oedipus Rex had to be older than the seventh century BC because Homer employed it at
that time. C. M. Bowra in "Sophocles' Use of Mythology" gives the rationale behind the Attic dramatists' preference for myths in their plays:
Myth provided the framework of drama, which illustrated in a highly concrete and cogent way some important crisis or problem, and that is why
Greek tragedy can be called symbolical. The old stories are indeed told again for their own sake, and there is no lack of dramatic tension and human
interest, but they also exemplify some far–reaching problem, which is admirably presented in this individual shape(31).
The Homeric myth provides the story of the fall of a man from prosperity to adversity. Sophocles takes the myth and dramatizes it in such a way that
every word and action makes an impact on the

Is Oedipus Responsible For His Own Downfall
In both the current era and the time of the ancient Greeks Sophocles' play Oedipus Tyrannus is seen as the quintessential model of Greek Tragedy. This
is due to the intricate questions of morality that are masterfully woven into the literature and the fact that "perhaps no classical Greek play that has
stimulated as much critical discussion" (Harris and Platzner Classical Mythology: Images and Insights, p.648). One of the dominant arguments the
tragedy generates is whether Oedipus is responsible for the abhorrent crimes of patricide and incest. The answer to which is yes. To be human is to
have choice and it is evident throughout the play that Oedipus's reckless decisions are to blame for the violations against his parents. Due to...show more
content...
Oedipus is incapable of clear thought and unfortunately it was of the utmost importance to criticize the oracle and act accordingly. Oedipus's
character suggests that he "believes all questions have answers and that humans can ascertain those answers by applying their wits and their
logic"(Harris and Platzner Classical Mythology: Images and Insights, p.656). This being the case, Oedipus should have been able to avoid making a
rash, senseless choice in his reaction to the oracle. Because of his complete faith in Apollo's oracle, he immediately leaves Corinth in an attempt to
avoid the despicable atrocity of killing his father and engaging in incest with his mother. Regrettably, it is this very action that charts his course
towards a violent path of destruction. One can see that as a result of Oedipus's recklessness he has allowed the prophecy to become "self–fulfilling"
and if had not heeded the oracle's forecast it would have never become a harsh reality (Harris and Platzner Classical Mythology: Images and Insights,
p.649). Near the end of Sopholcles's distinguished tragedy, Oedipus finally recognizes the truth and he insists his actions are the fault of Apollo. He
shrieks blame upon the god for the monstrous events and he violently cries, "Apollo it was, Apollo, friends who brought to pass these evil, evil woes
of mine" (Oedipus Tyrannus, 1274–1278). Oedipus is consumed by

Summary of Oedipus Rex Essay
Summary of Oedipus Rex Summary for "Oedipus Rex" The storytelling method that is employed in most classical writing, i.e. the Iliad and the
Odyssey as well as Greek tragedy, allows for the development of two stories. One is the story of the "now." The "now" is told through the actions
and events of the play or story. The other story that is told is the "past." The "past" is composed of stories that are told by characters and gives needed
background information about the main characters and events. In Oedipus Rex, the realization of Oedipus's tyrannous rise to power is the "now" story.
The story of Oedipus's birth and placement in the world is the "past" story. Both of these stories are woven into the play and each holds a place in
Creon is confused because he has always been a supporter of Oedipus and has never had aspirations to overthrow Oedipus. Oedipus is blind to
rational thinking and proceeds to make unfounded accusations. Jocasta enters and breaks up the argument. She comforts Oedipus by suggesting that
Teiresias is wrong and that humans have no place in prophecy. As they are talking, a messenger comes to tell Oedipus that his father is dead. This
messenger also tells how Oedipus is not a son of Polybus by blood. The herdsman that had been sent for to be questioned about the death of Laius
enters. Through the discussion of these men, it becomes apparent that Oedipus was most likely the son of Jocasta and Laius and that he is indeed the
poison that has been plaguing the land.
All leave except the Chorus. A messenger arrives to tell the Chorus about Jocasta and Oedipus's reaction. Jocasta had returned to her home and
cursed the bed upon which she had slept with both Oedipus and Laius. She then hung herself. Oedipus returned. Finding Jocasta hung, he cut her
down and removed the broaches from her dress and thrust them into his eyes. The play ends with Oedipus asking that Creon take care of his
daughters and Thebes. Oedipus feels great shame. He has blinded himself because he does not want to see his father and mother in the after world.
With this shame he leaves Thebes to wander the world. The "past" story is places into the "now"

Oedipus Rex
Hubris Goes Before a Fall
Greek literature is stocked full of characters that possess excessive pride. This is often referred to as hubris. Having too much pride is rarely seen as
a good thing, which is demonstrated in Sophocles' Oedipus Rex. Oedipus' land of Thebes falls under a terrible curse, and naturally as a king, he
wants to solve it, which is usually the sign of a great ruler, however, Oedipus' journey to alleviate the plague for his people brings about the
realization of his fate. Oedipus is a character deeply flawed because he believes that he is a great ruler for the city of Thebes and that he cannot be
the reason why the plague has befallen them, only the one who can solve the problem. Oedipus' plight in Sophocles' Oedipus Rex illustrates hubris,
specifically the realization that having excessive pride is damaging, which is a moral presented to the reader over the course of the play. At the start
of the play Oedipus is blissfully unaware of his fate, however, the more he digs for the truth, the more his hubris demonstrates that this is a tragic
flaw. During the beginning of the play, Oedipus is a man full of pride, denying that he could be a person affected by fate and prophecies. He boasts
about his accomplishments and how he is the one who had saved Thebes before. For example, Oedipus says, "But then I came, Oedipus, who knew
nothing. / yet I finished her off, using my wits / rather than relying on birds. That's the man / you want to overthrow, hoping, no

Oedipus Rex Essay
In Oedipus Rex, Sophocles explores the conflict between a man's intellectual reasoning and the universe beyond his grasp. This may seem like a
generalization, but the play's minor conflicts are arguably derivatives of the main struggle. As we would see, the fate or destiny that opposes Oedipus
does not act directly on him, but creates a domino effect that through other conflicts drive him to face his destiny by unearthing his true identity. Similar
to the Sphinx's riddle that gave power to Oedipus, he must travel the different stages of life in order to "know thy–self" (Rudnytsky 264). The play
opens with what may seem like a trivial conflict between Oedipus and the forces of nature, but the plague and other misfortunes that afflicted...show
more content...
Creon tells that "Apollo commands to take revenge upon whoever killed him [King Laius]", and Oedipus without any further reasoning proclaims that
the murderer must be exile, bringing to himself doom (DiYanni 1310). Nevertheless, is the oracle Teiresias by accusing Oedipus of committing the
murder who really sparks the conflict between Oedipus and Creon, the conflict of man versus man. Believing Creon is behind a plot to overthrow him
and lacking any concrete evidence, Oedipus fails to his proclaimed intellect and fearing the prophecy could be true, mocks Teiresias for his blindness
and charges Creon with treason. When the tension between both characters begins to build up Jocasta enters to give a solution by giving hopes to
Oedipus stating that the prophecies were wrong because a herdsman, witness to the murder, had different information. This only prolongs the inevitably
truth until the servant to which Jocasta gave up Oedipus dissipates any doubt of the "patricide and incest" Oedipus innocently committed (Letters).
Both Oedipus and Jocasta thought the truth was more powerful than the prophecies or the will of the gods. Even though, their biggest mistake was
based on the initial prophecy in which he would kill his father and marry his mother, which made Jocasta to give up Oedipus and Oedipus to wrongly
flee from Corinth. They both, unknowingly, trying to disprove the supernatural with

oedipus rex
In Sophocles' play, Oedipus Rex, there are many themes that are woven through the life of King Oedipus, and revealed through the key points of the
plot. One of the most important themes is the inevitability of ones' fate. Although fate is considered the usual genre of the Greeks in playwriting there,
are specifics that Oedipus conducts unusual to our own way of thinking of a king during the Ancient Greek times. For example: Oedipus's ignorance of
believing what is said from his wife, Iocaste and others. Also there is the prophecy and tragedy portrayed in the story. The action and plot/structure of
the play is part of what makes it one of the most studied Greek, plays ever.
Even today one of the most famous themes is the idea that...show more content...
Yet, it is because of his character as a great discoverer of truth and a man determined to find out what he has decided to discover, that Oedipus meets
with tragic reversal. In the scene where he is cross–examining the shepherds, Iocaste begs him not to carry the investigation further, but he pays no
heed to her words, in page 1336 the shepherd says, "In God's name do not torture a old man. Unhappy king! What more do you wish for?" It is this
determination of Oedipus to find out the whole truth at any cost, which makes him tragic. According to Aristotle, thetragic hero must be a person of
noble birth and prosperity whose misfortune results, form depravity or vice but from some hamartia. Hamartia is translated as an error of
judgment by most critics, but interpreted as tragic flaw by some. Oedipus is clearly the intermediate kind of person stipulated by Aristotle.
However, it is difficult to say that his misfortune befalls him because of some flaw in his character, or some error of judgment committed by him.
There is no doubt that his character has several flaws, and that he commits some errors of judgment, but the question is whether these errors are the
cause of his tragedy. Oedipus is no doubt rash, impatient, irritable and passionate. He is also very proud of his intelligence, and believes that he can
find the answer to every problem. Yet, if we take his tragedy to be the basic actions of incest and parricide, then these flaws and errors of Oedipus are
quite

Oedipus Rex By William Shakespeare
In the play, "Oedipus Rex", many ironies took place, as well as fate playing a huge part in the story. "Oedipus Rex" is a story about a man that tries
to overcome adversity but cannot escape his prophecy. His parents took him to a hillside as an infant, sliced his Achilles tendons and left him there.
A shepherd soon came to his rescue. "King and Queen of Thebes, gave their infant to a shepherd in with orders that he be left on the side of the
mountainside to die" (Johnson 1205). As he grew older and much wiser, he went to see the Oracle of Delphi. The Oracle informed him that his destiny
was to kill his father and marry his mother. The main ironies in the play are the killing of Oedipus's biological father, the odd relationship with his
mother, and the inability of Oedipus to avoid his fate. Oedipus did not know who his real parents were. The King of Corinth was his adopted father.
The king gave him the name Oedipus because his feet were swollen from his injured Achilles tendons. Oedipus's parents were so afraid of what the
oracle told them about Oedipus's fate, they felt that their only option was to get rid of him. The irony in his abandonment was the fact that the
biological parents never intended to see Oedipus again, though Oedipus's fate was going to happen regardless of what the parents did to rid of him.
Oedipus had an altercation with several men "where the three roads meet", killing four men including his biological father. "He came to a place where
three roads

Oedipus Rex by Sophocles Essay
Oedipus Rex by Sophocles
In Sophocles' "Oedipus the King" which is a tragic play, which discusses the tragic discovery that Oedipus has killed his father and married his mother.
Oedipus is the embodiment of the perfect Athenian. He is self–confident, intelligent, and strong willed. Ironically these are the very traits which bring
about his tragic discovery. Oedipus gained the rule of Thebes by answering the riddle of The Sphinx. Sophocles used the riddle of The Sphinx as a
metaphor for the 3 phases of Oedipus' life and to further characterized him as a tragic hero.
The Sphinx posed the following riddle to all who came to obtain the rule over Thebes: "What is it that walks on 4 feet and 2 feet and 3 feet and has
only one voice,...show more content...
By becoming king of Thebes he marries Jocasta the Queen of Thebes and his own mother. Many years later after bearing children with Jocasta a
plague kills many of the inhabitants of Thebes. Oedipus is told by the gods to find the killer of Laius. He is very diligent in the inquiry and finally
comes to the horrible truth that he himself is the murderer. Jocasta kills herself at the horrible realization that she has laid with her son. Oedipus
puts out his eyes, at which time he finally sees the truth. This fulfills the final part of the Sphinx's riddle for Oedipus will have to walk with a cane
for the rest of his life because of his blindness. This will give him the walk on 3, which man walks with at the end of his years.
The Sphinx's riddle was used by Sophocles to characterize Oedipus as a tragic man and as a parallel to his life. The riddle describes the 3 stages,
which Oedipus went through in his life. Also in answering the riddle Oedipus inevitable brought about his own tragic ending by a horrible discovery.
The statement that Joseph Campbell makes that defines a hero as "someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself," I believe
very much that this applies to the story of Oedipus the King. He alone had to realize a life lesson and by doing so hurt himself and the ones he had
loved. Oedipus in his journey showed others that you must not physically open your eyes up, but as well open them in a fourth

Oedipus Rex Essay
"Crossroads, and hidden glade, oak and the narrow way at the crossroads, that drank my father's blood offered you by my hands, do you remember still
what I did as you looked on, and what I did when I came here?" (Oedipus Rex, 1575–1580). Precisely placed at the crossroads of fate and autonomy,
Oedipus struggles to define what, exactly, is fate and what, exactly, is left to his own discretion;Oedipus Rex challenges the common thought of Greek
Society. Transcending more than one thousand years, questions often posed within the context of this play come to light in high school classrooms
across America. What is seemingly an ineffective, antiquated piece of literature from Ancient Greece, actually should serve as a piece of required
reading...show more content...
Sophocles, through his writing, begins to engage in a contemporary debate of the time period: fate versus free will. Philosophers of ancient Greece
would often debate whether or not the gods had control over one's life, and Sophocles entertains all aspects of this debate. Through the use of a
meticulously crafted plot, humanity appears to have solved the issue prophesied at the birth of Oedipus. Ultimately, however, Sophocles
demonstrates the revolving way in which preordination of action ultimately comes to fruition. This is epitomized when Oedipus is met by King
Laius, his father, at the crossroads. When Oedipus is faced with the decision of whether or not to kill the man in front of him, he fulfills the
prophesy which had been placed upon him before his birth. While this concept might seem like an ancient event that leads to an archaic discussion, it
still invades relevant, personal philosophy of the world. The high school years require each student to arrive at a crossroads in their own life.
Decisions permeate their existence. Behind everything, each student has to arrive at a conclusion as to who is the driving force behind each decision;
is it themselves or is a higher power commanding everything to happen? This debate allows students to expand their thought in order to engage a
metaphysical debate relevant to discussions of society. Sophocles uses the plot of the play to teach a lesson

Oedipus Rex
Oedipus: An Exceptional Man In all the passages that have been written through history on how an excellent man should behave, one writing stands out
from all of them. Aristotle's, The High–Minded Man. This manuscript explains that for any play to be truly considered a tragedy, its hero must meet
Aristotle's standards for a high–minded man. In the tragedy of Oedipus Rex, by Sophacles, Oedipus clearly meets the requirements to be called a
high–minded man. Oedipus is expressive about his thoughts, exceptionally important in society, and lastly an honorable man. One of the characteristics
of a high–minded man that Oedipus shows is in how one who is high–minded should always be expressive about the way he feels. "He must care for
the truth...show more content...
If a man is not honorable then he is not high–minded. "No, I have been in tears for a long while...I have sent Kreon... To Delphi...to learn there, if he
can, what act or pledge of mine may save the city." (Witt, 110). In this portion of Oedipus Rex, Oedipus hears that the citizens of Thebes are
suffering, and so he sends Kreon to the oracle to find out what it is that is making his people suffer. In trying to figure out what the citizen's
problems are and completely embracing the duties of his kingship, Oedipus is showing great honor. For if he were not an honorable king, he
wouldn't care for his city as long as him and his family lived a pleasant life. These are only some of the many examples there are in showing how
Oedipus' actions and characteristics match those of a high–minded man. Aristotle's requisites for being called a high–minded man are accomplished by
Oedipus in Oedipus Rex. This story not only serves as a way to gain entertainment, but also as a lesson to all people. It shows how a truly
high–minded man, or exemplary man, should behave in many situations as Oedipus did. The traits that he shows help us in many ways today. Publicly
speaking is a very important characteristic to have in these times, since mostly everything in life revolves around communicating with others. Having
an important role in society also benefits you in many ways. As well as being honorable, since these people are

Analysis of Oedipus Rex Essay
Oedipus did not have a fair start in life. His father, Laius, heard prophecy that Oedipus would one day kill his father and sleep with his mother. In
order to prevent this, Laius gave Oedipus to a shepherd to be killed. Fortunately, through a string of events, Oedipus's life was saved, and he even went
on to become the honored king of Thebes. Despite this feat, Oedipus still managed to make several decisions that ultimately fulfilled the original
prophecy told to Laius, and inevitably sealed Oedipus?s fate. In order to escape the prophecy that he would kill his father and sleep with his mother,
Oedipus thought it best to leave Corinth. What Oedipus did not know is that the parents he was leaving were not his biological parents....show more
content...
Thebans sought Oedipus, their King, to find the cause of the plague and to resolve it. It is revealed to Creon by an oracle at Delphi that the plague was
due to the unpunished murder of King Laius. Creon, Oedipus?s brother–in–law, relayed this information. Oedipus, being the dutiful king that he was,
sought the prophet Teiresias on the premise that the prophet could explain the cause of the plague. Sadly, Oedipus did not realize that by calling for
this prophet would, in turn, reveal a dark secret that would eventually lead to the ruin of Oedipus. Teirsias proclaims,? I say you are the murderer of
the king whose murderer you seek.? (1009). The proclamation, along with a suggestion of incest on Oedipus?s part, Oedipus failed to understand.
This was the prophets attempt to explain to Oedipus that he, Oedipus, had killed King Laius. Oedipus still does not realize that the man and servants
he encountered that day at the crossroads was King Laius. This set of events is another example of how a decision made by Oedipus contributed to
his downfall. Oedipus believed Teiresias was making the accusation because he was bribed by Creon. Jocasta attempts to calm Oedipus as well, citing
that oracles are nonsense. She tells of an example where an oracle prophesied to her that her first born son would one day murder his father and sleep
with her, Jocasta. Believing that prophecy ridiculous, Oedipus decides not to heed

Critical Analysis Of Oedipus The King
Critical Analysis: Oedipus the King "Oedipus the King" is a tragic play showing a shift from the belief of fate to freedom of choice. Therefore,
Oedipus the king is a great example of those who run from fate ends up fulfilling their fate After reading this type of tragic play "Oedipus the King"
written by Sophocles you can see that the author did a very outstanding form of presenting a tragedy that has the characteristics of mimesis and a
tragic hero. Specifically, the writer written the play that would leave many readers to be able to relate to and have a character whom characteristics
are noble and basically good. A purpose of tragedy is "catharsis". In other words, the main reason for a tragedy in a play is to purge an individual of
In the end, however, Oedipus' hubris ways led to his tragic reality. He lost his wife. He lost his eyesight. He lost his children. He lost his kingship.
With all his confidence and his persistence, he uncovered the riddles of his life and found out that he was the boy born of Laius and Jocasta who
was the subject of the prophecy. His intelligence, pride and confidence led to this discovery, which resulted in him losing everything that he had
which in the end he fulfilled his fate. The most crucial point in the play "Oedipus the king" was the fact that Oedipus was completely unaware that
he killed his own father. He had a mission to find out who was his father's killer. Effectively the more Oedipus was motivated and with his
excessive confidence in knowing the truth of who killed his father, the play began to unravel and starts to fit together like the pieces of a puzzle
that Oedipus was known for figuring out. The more he pushed in finding who his father killer was the more he was towards his reality of terror.
The place where three roads meet was the place where Laius was killed and the place where Oedipus, himself had killed a man. He thought his father
was a man named Polypus, the king of Corinth yet a man had shouted out at a banquet that he was not his father's son. He was given a apprehension
of "a future great with pain, terror, disaster...You are fated to couple with your mother, you will bring a breed of children

Oedipus Rex
Oedipus Rex – Conflict, Climax, Resolution
Sophocles' tragic drama, Oedipus Rex, sees the conflict develop and reach a climax, and this is followed by a catastrophe and resolution of the conflict.
E. T. Owen in "Drama in Sophocles' Oedipus Tyrannus" describes theclimax of the drama:
The central scenes contain the heart of the drama, that for which the rest exists – the drama of the revelation. The poet's task here is to make its effect
adequate to the expectation. He manages to spin it out to nearly 500 lines, and, instead of thinning, increases the excitement by spreading it out; it
becomes a threefold revelation rising to a climax (36).
Thus it is that Owen sees the conflict escalating...show more content...
Thomas Van Nortwick in The Meaning of a Masculine Life describesOedipus' tragic flaw:
As ruler, he is a father to Thebes and its citizens, and like a father he will take care of his "children." We see already the supreme self–confidence and
ease of command in Oedipus, who can address not only other people's children as his own, but also be a father to men older than he is. But beyond
even this there is, in the wretched posture of the citizens, the hint of prostration before a deity. We are "clinging to your altars," says the priest. . . .
That he also exudes a godlike mastery in the eyes of his subjects only strengthens the heroic portrait. . . .(21–22).
The "godlike mastery" to which Van Nortwick refers is the same mastery which Creon in his final lines designates as the cause of the tragic dimension
in the life of the protagonist: "Crave not mastery in all, /For the mastery that raised thee was thy bane and wrought thy fall." Oedipus' total mastery of
the investigation resultant from the Delphic oracle's declaration, yes, his forceful pursuit of the investigation against the wishes of Jocasta, Teiresias, the
messenger and the shepherd, ultimately spells the downfall of King Oedipus.
Abrams says that the conflict is between the protagonist and antagonist (225). Is the antagonist within Oedipus in the form of his "godlike mastery," as
Creon believed? Or is the antagonist weird/wyrd/fate, so that the oracle

Film Analysis Of Oedipus Rex

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