Oedipus The King Essay

Oedipus the King: A Hero Essay
Throught Oedipus Rex, Oedipus displays his heroism many times. From the Prologue of the play to
the moment in which he leaves Thebes, Oedipus' heroics are extremely apparent; however, at the
same time, the decisions which make Oedipus a hero ultimately become the decisions which bring
him to shame and exile.
From before Oedipus was born, he was doomed to kill his father and marry his mother, a very
cursed fate. Throughout his life, the readers learn that Oedipus tries his hardest to avoid this
dreadful proclamation; however, the gods were against him before he was even in his mother's
womb, so Oedipus and the readers quickly learn that there would be no way for him to avoid...show
more content...
Oedipus is a very honest and persistent man. From the instant in which he questions Teiresias about
the murder, we see that he is very persistent in trying to find the answer. Even when Teiresias begs
Oedipus to stop questioning him, Oedipus forces the truth–teller to speak the truth. He goes as far as
to threaten to kill Teiresias to give him the news which would accuse Oedipus as the murderer that
he seeks.
Oedipus, of course, does not believe this news, and still tries to get to the bottom of this murder
mystery. Each person that he questions unravels another piece of information which would
eventually confirm Teiresias' accusation that Oedipus was the murderer.
No matter how many people advised Oedipus to quit the search and forget about it, Oedipus
remained determined to solve the question. Teiresias, the shephard, the messenger, and his own wife
advise him not to continue his investigation. When Jocaste pleads with him to stop the search,
Oedipus he demands that she let him continue. These show signs of a true hero. Oedipus put the
benefit of his own land before he did. If Oedipus had any thoughts that he could be the murderer, it
didn't matter to him. He would not give up until he fufiled his promise to find the murderer.
When the shephard who found Oedipus confirmed that Oedipus had killed his father, and indeed
married his mother,
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Oedipus The King Archetype
Oedipus Rex is one of three plays created by tragedian Sophocles. The story opens with a plague,
threatening the lives of many in the city of Thebes, Oedipus' kingdom. Oedipus, the next heir to the
throne, addresses this to the people, Creon, also states the suffering crops, As Oedipus says that he is
sick too, this shows his hubris. Oedipus is one of Sophocles' most notable characters due to the fact
that he depicts the "tragic hero" archetype. Oedipus' "hubris" or pride was the cause of his own
undoing, that was part of his initial character. The forces of change happen whenever Oedipus'
situation gets even worse throughout the play, and the character's change occurs through the end.
King Oedipus has the qualities of a good character for...show more content...
When Oedipus reached the end of his "quest" for the truth, he is appalled, overwhelmed by the
revelations, in addition he questions himself, saying, "Where do I go? How can the wings of air
sweep up my voice? Oh my destiny, how far have you sprung now!"(Sophocles–65). Oedipus also
became aware of his mistakes and accepting is shame taking in the fact that his wife/mother killed
himself and he willingly took his own eyes out in response to the revelations. In addition, he was
also grateful and admitting to his own flaws, in the exodus he said "By all the gods, since you are
acting now so differently from what I would expect and have come here to treat me graciously, the
very worst of men, do what I ask. I will speak for your own element, not mine" (Sophocles–69), and
yet he still sounded proud at that moment. As he laments his ignorance, he states that the God of
Plagues, Apollo was the cause of all of this. Oedipus finally respects the power of fate and the
gods, he understood and knew what he was doing when he said "Cast me out quickly as you can,
away from Thebes, to a place where no one, no living human being, will cross my path"
(Sophocles–70), this is going to a point where Oedipus is seeking atonement, seeking for exile.
accepting what is coming to

William Shakespeare 's ' Oedipus The King '
English Assignment – Oedipus The King
In the story, Oedipus The King, written by Sophocles, two important aspects of Oedipus' character
that lead to his demise are his determination to find the truth of his origin, as well as his anger. These
are flaws that negatively affect the tragic outcome at the end of the plot. Oedipus first shows signs of
anger when he does not want to hear what Tiresias has to say about the murderer of Laius, even
after the ruler begs for the truth. Oedipus yells, "Enough! I won't listen to this sort of talk from
you. Damn you! My curse on you! Get out of here, quickly. Away from this house, back to where
you came from!" (25) He goes into a fit of rage when Tiresias explains, in the form of riddles, the
evils that the king is living with. The prophet mentions a curse, in which he hints that Oedipus
marries his mother and kills his father. Tiresias also reveals that the king is the murderer of Laius.
The ruler of Thebes believes that Creon set Tiresias up to convey this accusation, stating: "Was it
Creon, or you, that invented this story?" (23) Because of his short–temper, without even considering
the validity of Tiresias' statement, Oedipus becomes irate and is unable to control his emotions,
shouting: "(....) I tell you, you will pay in tears for this witch–hunting–you and Creon, the man that
organized this conspiracy!" (24) It is understandable that anyone would be upset and shocked after
hearing such shocking claims. Yet, as a ruler of Thebes,

Oedipus The King Theme Essay
Oedipus the King: Themes of Blindness and Sight in the Sophocles' Oedipus the King
What does it mean to truly see? Do those blessed with normal vision really see?
Oedipus the King by Sophocles' is intertwined with many powerful themes and messages,
establishing what real vision and real sight are. Sophocles' play also demonstrates that sometimes in
life we have to experience great loss in order to rediscover our true selves. In Oedipus's quest for
truth, lack of self–control, ignorance and tragic self–discovery prevail. Physical vision does not
necessarily guarantee insight, nor impart truth. Intertwined with dramatic and cosmic irony, all of
these elements contribute to the major theme of blindness and sight, depicting wisdom...show more
content...
Oedipus implies that the blind prophet should have no discernment because he is physically blind,
thus Oedipus remains obstinate in his close–minded outlook. Teiresias, can see the truth and
Oedipus, ironically, is becoming a blind man. Oedipus wanted to get rid of Teiresias, "so long as you
are here, you'll be a stumbling block and a vexation" (494–495). Closing your eyes to the truth
makes it a stumbling block. Oedipus does not have site required to see the truth, his lack of true sight
consequently caused ensuing vexation. The irony is that he is making pronouncements to get rid of
the stumbling block, not recognizing that he himself is the stumbling block because of his failure to
see the truth. Dramatic irony is present when Oedipus pledges to punish and drive Laius's murderer
out of this land, ignorant of his own actions, resulting in eventual self–indictment (160–165).
Foreshadowing is evident as he pronounces judgment on himself prophetically, through his pursuit
to "drive out [the] pollution from [his] land" (109). Furthermore, Oedipus becomes annoyed at
Teiresias's because he is speaking in riddles (487). When Teiresias stated, "but it is in the riddle
answering you are strongest" he is simply voicing the fact that Oedipus is unable to see the truth
(488). When we choose to ignore or cover up the truth it becomes a riddle. Oedipus's incapacity to
cope with the truth continues to leave him

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...show more content...
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 The King Essay
The Ancient Greeks had a precise definition of what they believe makes a perfect ruler. According
to the Greeks, the ideal Athenian ruler has five main characteristics. The ruler should takes care
of his/her people like a parent cares for a child. The ruler respects the elderly. The ruler suffers or
fights along with his people in a time of crisis. The ruler should be decisive. The ruler should be
wise, generous, hospitable, and pious. Sophocles, the author of Oedipus the King, portrays
Oedipus, King of Thebes, as an ideal ruler. However, as the story progresses, the characteristics he
shows begin to contradict it. Oedipus shows that he is an ideal ruler in the beginning of Oedipus the
King. He shows many of the ideal characteristics within the first three pages of the...show more
content...
Oedipus begins talking to a crowd of Theban citizens. "Children, children! Scions of the ancient
Cadmean line!" (23) Right away, he shows he cares about his people like a parent cares for a child
by referring to them as children. Next, he shows that he respects the elderly by telling politely
telling an old priest to speak and referring to him as Elder. "Speak, Elder, you are senior here" (23).
In the next quote, he shows that seeing his people (like a parent to a child) suffer makes him suffer
as well. "You all are sick–yet sick, not one so sick as I. Your pain is single, each to each–it does not
breed" (25). Oedipus also shows here he is decisive by showing what he has already done to help the
situation. "But one in bitter tears and one perplexed in though, found wandering. Who clutched the
only remedy that came: To send the son of Menoeceus, Creon–my own Jocasta's brother–to the place
Apollo haunts at Pythia; to learn what act or covenant of mine could still redeem the state" (25).
Oedipus shows that he has made a decisive action that might help Thebes from its plague. After
Creon arrives, he reveals that the plague will be removed when Laius's murderer is found and

Oedipus the King as a Tragedy Essay
Many things can describe a tragedy. However, according to definition of a tragedy by Aristotle,
there are only five. The play has to have a tragic hero, preferably of noble stature. Second, the tragic
hero must have a tragic flaw. Because of that flaw, the hero falls from either power or death. Due to
the fall, the tragic hero discovers something. Finally, there must be catharsis in the minds of the
audience. Oedipus Rex qualifies as a tragedy. It fits all the characteristics as defined by Aristotle.
The tragic hero of a play is a man of some social standing and personal reputation, but sufficiently
like ourselves in terms of his weaknesses that we feel fear and pity when a tragic flaw, rather than
an associate, causes his...show more content...
Oedipus makes decisions publicly for all to hear, making reconsideration difficult for a proud
person such as himself. When Creon returns with information from the oracle concerning the ills
of Thebes and wishes to tell Oedipus privately, as we learn later that it could be bad news for
Oedipus. Oedipus tells Creon, "Let them all hear it. It is for them I suffer, more than for myself."
This was the first time that Oedipus is confronted with the idea that he might have fulfilled the
prophecy. He is the one that is named as the killer of Laius. Oedipus directs any inhabitant of
Thebes that know of any facts of Laius' murder to come forward without fear of reprisal,
concurrently forbidding the withholding of information. Oedipus reaffirms his stand to avenge
the murdered king promising the consequences do not diminish because of one's position: "And
as for me, this curse applies no less If it should turn out that the culprit is my guest here, Sharing
my hearth." Oedipus has said all of this before knowing any evidence. If he had just one clue that
he could have been the unwitting culprit, would he have acted differently? As a strongly
principled man, Oedipus, like Socrates when faced with compromising his principles, chooses
death over compromise. When Oedipus realizes he may in fact be the culprit, he says "You are
aware, I hope, that what you say means death for me, or exile at the least." Oedipus's quickness to
take a position causes him to

Analysis of Oedipus the King Essays
The tale of Oedipus and his prophecy has intrigued not only the citizens of Greece in the ancient
times, but also people all over the world for several generations. Most notable about the play was its
peculiar structure, causing the audience to think analytically about the outcomes of Oedipus' actions
and how it compares with Aristotle's beliefs. Another way that the people have examined the drama
is by looking at the paradoxes (such as the confrontation of Tiresias and Oedipus), symbols (such as
the Sphinx), and morals that has affected their perceptions by the end of the play. Nonetheless, the
most important aspect is how relevant the story is and how it has influenced modern ideas like that
of Freud and other people of today. As...show more content...
Oedipus displayed his faulty character throughout the play by showing how he is filled with
ill–temper and pride, especially during his confrontation with Apollo's blind prophet, Tiresias. He
allowed his own hubris to take over him, eventually leading to his disaster at the end of the story.
Now, some critics may argue that Oedipus did not actually go through a downfall in the play, but
when looking back at the definition of a tragic hero, it can be seen that there are evidence to
prove that Oedipus is a tragic hero. For Aristotle, a tragic hero has a hamartia (or tragic flaw) that
leads to his own downfall, and so there is no argue that Oedipus undergoes a downfall in the play.
But was he to be blamed for the circumstances he encountered in his life? The answer could go
either way. As argued by Jocasta, "It's all chance/ chance rules our lives. Not a man on earth/ can
see a day ahead...Better to live at random, best we can" (Oedipus the King, 1068–1071). Drawing
from the quotation about chances, Oedipus might have ended up in his situation not because of a
future prediction, but rather as a result of coincidence. Moreover, what was important to
acknowledge about Jocasta's statement is that she said how it is better to live the "best we can",
which was something that Oedipus ended up ignoring. Even though he knows that the truth would
ruin him, he

Essay about Oedipus the King
Oedipus the King, written by Sophocles, is a tragic drama that portrays a great deal of irony.
Oedipus, the protagonist, suffers serious misfortune that is significant in that the "misfortune is
logically connected with the hero's actions" (AbleMedia LLC). When the reader learns about the
background of Greek culture and the life of Sophocles, this tragic drama is able to become more
alive and valuable. It is important to familiarize oneself with the author because it allows for a
greater connection to the dialogue presented. Through the character development of Oedipus, one
can see how ironic circumstances can turn a prideful king into a tragic figure.
Knowing the background of Greek culture and theater will help one to better understand...show more
content...
It was an open–air auditorium. Due to the lack of adequate artificial lighting, performances would
take place during the day (AbleMedia LLC). The audience, then, had to use their imagination
when a scene was taking place at night. This outdoor theater was "built into the slope of the
southern hillside of Athens' acropolis" (Perseus Digital Library). This theater could hold between
14,000 and 15,000 spectators in the audience. There are two mechanical devices, which were
important parts to the ancient Greek theater that deserve mention: the ekkyklema and a mechane
(AbleMedia LLC). The ekkyklema was the theatrical "truck." This was an essential piece that
assisted in shifting heavy props or scenic elements. The Greek theater used the ekkyklema to
move actors (Meineck, p. 455). The other device, the mechane, was "a crane to which a cable with
a harness for an actor was attached" (AbleMedia LLC). This enabled actors to perform as a god or
a character that flies. These characteristics of the Greek theater allowed for enjoyable productions.
To ensure the fairness of the competition, the playwrights were given three main actors and fifteen
chorus members for their dramas (Perseus Digital Library). Greece was a male–dominated society.
The women were often segregated and expected to be the nurturers of the household. Men, on the
other hand, were raised to fight in war, conduct business, or run the government (Hanson, p. 43). Not

The Greeks must have cared very deeply about understanding and receiving knowledge. It seem like
the truth was a terrifying concept they used to examine tragedy in a human being. I think Oedipus
comes to realize that he is in realization of tragedy that couldn't possibility be true. This play
highlight a heroic king that end up a humbled man by tragedy. Tiresias appears to hold all the
answer and doesn't hesitate to let Oedipus know it.
In this play Tiresias give reader a story while acting like a guide within the plot. Tiresias control the
whole play and the final outcome of most of the characters lives. He motivates and pushes Oedipus
throughout the story. Tiresias controlOedipus the King with the truth, value and faith. Tiresias is a
blind seer or prophet that is bound to tell the truth in any situation. Tiresias reveals the truth to
Oedipus...show more content...
This story had my mind wondering what would happen if I was in this situation. I think anyone
would have a nervous breakdown to know they killed their father and a woman you inherit to
marry is your mother. This would drive anyone crazy to have to live with this much guilt. Tiresias
role in this drama appears to be rude to Oedipus and give him painful news while sitting back and
enjoying every minute of it. I'm surprise Oedipus leaves his ignorant path to go on the prophecy of
Tiresias. The readers of this play are feeling sympathy, because Tiresias unload terrifying news to
cause suffering to Oedipus and pretends he doesn't want to give him the news. I think Tiresias was
the character that precisely words the drama that leads to an argument and having the audience feel
sympathy for a man that murder his father. Throughout, this play Tiresias show he is in the
controlling element in the play and everyone look to him for answer. It's hard to believe a blind man
had that much control over

Analysis Essay: Oedipus the King
Casual Analysis Essay: Oedipus the King Sophocles' play Oedipus the King has endured for over
two thousand years. The play's lasting appeal may be attributed to the fact it encompasses all the
classical elements of tragedy as put forth by Aristotle in Poetics nearly a century before it was
written. According to Aristotle, tragedy needs to be an imitation of life according to the law of
probability or necessity. Tragedy is serious, complete, and has magnitude. It must have a beginning,
middle, and end and be spoken in language that is fit for noble characters. Furthermore it must be
acted, as opposed to epic poetry, which is narrated. Tragedy shows rather than tells. Finally it must
result in the purging of pity and fear, or a catharsis. Tragedy is based in the fundamental order of the
universe, it creates a cause–and–effect chain that clearly reveals what may happen at any time or
place because that is the way the world operates. Tragedy arouses not only pity but also fear, because
the audience can envision themselves within this cause–and–effect chain. Tragedy as a whole is
composed of six elements: plot, character, language, thought, spectacle and melody. Melody and
language are the media by which the effect of imitation of action is carried out, spectacle is the
manner or way the tragedy is carried out, and plot, character and thought are the means that initiate
the action. Oedipus the King possesses all of these elements. Aristotle asserts the plot is the most

Oedipus The King Setting
Oedipus the King
Visible settings were absent in ancient Greek drama. Many settings were primarily insinuated
throughout the beginning dialogue, within the prologue, which left the audience the duty to imagine
the setting. The play presumably takes place in the ancient Greek city of Thebes, as suggested by
Oedipus who states "My children, ancient Cadmus' newest care". Cadmus, being Oedipus's
"great–great–grandfather", was the founder and ancient ruler of Thebes. However, Oedipus is not
aware of his historical family background. The Priest also illustrates the setting, for the audience
through his dialogue where he states that they are sitting "before [Oedipus's] alters," or palace.
Many actors primarily wore ancient Greek masks in order to...show more content...
However, I am torn between if he really did deserve it or not. Oedipus tried to overcome the gods
prophecy that was bestowed upon him. He ran away from his, believed to be, parents and killed
the king of Thebes, or he unknowingly killed his father. Therefore, it's as if he deserved his fate.
Afterall, nobody can be higher than the gods, as Oedipus thought he was. However, Oedipus might
have been trying to evade the gods prophecy as a way to protect his parents. It is discussed that
Oedipus left his 'parents' in order to save them from their fate, of him killing the father figure and
breeding the mother. However, this action inevitably lands him in that exact

Essay on Oedipus the King: The Hubris of Oedipus
"Oedipus the King" written by Sophocles, is a powerful Greek tragedy story. The protagonist,
Oedipus is a heroic mythical king who had it all. Oedipus pursues to find the true answers to his
identity and destiny, while at the same time trying to avoid fulfilling his destiny.
"Oedipus the King" was introduced around 429 B.C.E. in Athens. This was Sophocles' most
celebrated play. It is recognized by many titles, such as its Latin title "Oedipus Rex" and "Oedipus
Tyrannus." Sophocles' performed this play at the annual festival of Dionysus––a religious festival,
which celebrated Dionysus, the god of intoxication, death, and fertility. Sophocles was one of the
dramatists that reigned supreme at these festivals. Most of the...show more content...
A dramatic conflict occurs when Oedipus gets into a fight with a group of men where three roads
meet; one of those men is his father King Laius. He kills all the men except for one who flees
from the scene and then notifies the Thebians of the tragic news. Oblivious to Oedipus, the first
half of his fate (that he was trying so hard to avoid) is fulfilled. Usually crossroads signify a
decision point. If Oedipus made the choice of being civil toward the strangers and not letting his
temper get the best of him, he could have avoided his fate. Oedipus ends up in Thebes were he is
granted the honor of being the King––he solves the Sphinx's riddle which results in the city being
free from captivity. In addition, Oedipus marries his predecessor's wife, Queen Jocasta––the women
who gave birth to him. Once again Oedipus has crossed paths with his fate and is still blind to it.
Hubris is Oedipus's tragic flaw. He is now overly full of himself because: he rescued the city of
Thebes from the Sphinx, people admire him, the citizens worship him as if he were an idol, the
citizens think of him as their hero, and the Thebans have such a high esteem for him, that they
made him King. One instance that proves he is filled with overbearing pride is when he proclaims,
"I, Oedipus, a name that all men know." (8) This statement also brings about irony. It is ironic
because his name will be remembered and well–known everywhere––as a polluter, the

Sophocles' Oedipus Rex and William Shakespeare's The Tragedy of King Lear
One of the key themes in both Shakespeare's The Tragedy of King Lear and Sophocles' Oedipus
Rex is the importance of having a good understanding of our condition as human beings – knowing
ourselves, the world that surrounds us and our place in it. At the same time, however, both authors
recognize the fact that blindness to this knowledge of the human condition is a basic mortal trait.
Thus, before we can have an understanding of the human condition, we must endure a journey to
wisdom. The two authors view the journey to wisdom in terms of metaphors of blindness and
seeing. Sight is a frequently used metaphor for perception, knowledge and awareness,...show more
content...
And, as expected, Lear remains blind to the fact that the praise he receives is more flattery than
genuine adulation.
Ironically, Goneril even states that her father is 'dearer than eyesight'[ii], since for the power hungry
daughter Lear is far more valuable blind than he would be, if he could see his own condition.
Gloucester can not see past the appearances of his children as well, he is blind to Edmund's deceit
and Edgar's virtue. When learning of
Edgar's apparent intention to conspire against him, Gloucester chooses not to use his own 'eyes' to
look into the matter, but asks Edmond to do so instead.
In Oedipus Rex, much like Lear, Oedipus is blind to his own mortality.
He has been deluded by the people of Thebes who hail him, if not 'the equal of gods'[iii] then
certainly 'the first of men'[iv]. Thus,
Oedipus too has developed a self–image that is less than objective.
Oedipus learns from the prophet Teiresias, that he is the 'unclean thing'[v] that needs removal from
Thebes. He chooses to remain blind to this truth about his own condition, and turns against the blind
Teiresias. Oedipus' blindness is best demonstrated, when he is juxtaposed with the prophet. When
initially addressing Teiresias,
Oedipus states that 'In your heart, if not with the eye, you
[Teiresias] see our city's condition'[vi]. (We as the audience have to accept this as true, since the
Ancient Greeks believed in

Essay on Oedipus the King: A Tragic Hero
A tragic hero, as defined by Aristotle, is a man who is great but also terribly flawed, who
experiences misfortunes while still remaining admirable to the audience at the end of the play. One
of Aristotle's favorite works, Oedipus the King, a play by Sophocles, is a play that above all others,
defines the meaning of what a true tragic hero really is. In the play, Oedipus the King, the story
unfolds after Oedipus unintentionally kills his own father and goes on to marry his mother. The
events of the play are tragic, but it is the way that Oedipus handles the tragedies that make him a
tragic hero.
From the very beginning of the play, we can already see that Oedipus is a great but flawed man. He
proves to us...show more content...
However, in spite of all of his positive qualities, he is a man that is prone to arrogance and
impulsive behaviors. At the opening of the play, when he addresses the city about the plague, he
tells them not to worry for "Here I am myself...the world knows my fame: I am Oedipus" (7–8),
implying that he can solve any problem simply because of who he is. Oedipus also shows his
arrogance by comparing himself to the gods. After hearing the chorus' cries to the gods for help he
tells the city of Thebes to "Let [him] grant [their] prayers...listen to [him]"(245–246). Oedipus
displays his quick temper after the prophet Tireseas declines to tell him who Laius's murderer is; he
hastily becomes infuriated at the prophet, telling him he is "scum of the earth . . . [a man who]
would enrage a heart of stone" (381).
The heart of the story unravels when Oedipus apparently begins to suffer a reversal of fortunes. At
the beginning of the play, Oedipus is referred to by the priest as the "king of the land, [the city of
Thebes'] greatest power" (16). Through all of Thebes he is thought of as a hero, a man who saved
the city from the Sphinx and in his bravery has promised to find the killer of King Laius in order to
save the city from doom and death. However, at the climax of the story Oedipus learns that he has
been "cursed in [his] birth, cursed in marriage / and cursed in

Oedipus the King is universally accepted as the Dramatic Masterpiece of Greek Theatre. Aristotle
cites it as the most brilliant example of theatrical plot and a perfect example of Tragedy,
comprising all the necessary elements. The play is regarded as the classic example of the "Tragedy
of Fate" and the plot remarkably justifies it with the help of various characters and elements. One
such element is 'The Chorus' which can be seen in various Greek tragedies.
Chorus, in the Classical Greek Theatre, is a group of actors and singers, enacting as the
representative citizens of the society, who describes and comments on the ongoing action and
sequence in a drama. They recite prayers to God, sing, and dance, and give their outlook towards the
situations raised in a drama. The attire they have (mask, cloak) and the music they recite goes
together with the mood as the situation develops. At that age, through the dramatic performance,
they would occupy the central circular place called orchestra. The Chorus would not only act as
spectators and careful Observers but also as, commentators of the dramatic procedure. It took the
issue of the changing situations and developments and expressed its comments mostly in the form of
songs that were called odes. The Chorus used to express their opinions at the moment of acute need.
When the spectators would feel the uncertainty of the situation, the Chorus guided them with the
appropriate kind of feelings and attitude towards the events in the

Oedipus The King Literary Analysis
Sophocles' Oedipus the King encompasses the ideas of fate and fortune into the tragic story of the
ignorant Oedipus. Scholar Bernard Knox says that Oedipus' fall was caused by "attributes of
divinity– knowledge, certainty, and justice." Oedipus' fall was caused by the absence of knowledge,
uncertainty, and anger, which led him to show injustice. He had absence of knowledge because he
did not know the truth, he had uncertainty because he acted without certainty, and he showed anger
when Teiresias would not tell him the truth, which led him to display injustice toCreon.
Throughout the story, Oedipus claims to know the truth but he was oblivious to it. This is not
necessarily his fault because he was never informed completely. Even though no one told him the
whole verity, he still did not listen to and believe what Teiresias, the blind seer, was telling him.
"There was need...show more content...
Oedipus remained determined and tried each and every way to get it out of Teiresias. "Then
seeing that it [the truth] must come, you on your part should tell me of it" (121). Oedipus is
craving to know the killer of Laius but becomes angered as Teiresias repeatedly denies him of the
truth. This anger also causes him to show false accusations against Creon. "Are these Creon's
devices or yours?" (122). Because Oedipus says this about Creon, he is showing injustice to him.
This will later affect Oedipus as Creon will eventually have the ability to show injustice towards
Oedipus. Oedipus does not realize that Teiresias not telling him the oracle is benefiting him, but
Oedipus is so stubborn that Teiresias' refusal angers him even more. This makes Teiresias pitiful
towards Oedipus. "How dreadful to have wisdom where it profits not the wise!" (120). Teiresias
wants to be able to tell him the truth but he knows that it will not benefit Oedipus, for he will not
believe

Summary of Oedipus The Kings by Sophocles
Oedipus is in a series of tragic events throughout this play. A couple of days after Oedipus was
born, he was left on a mountainside to die. The reason for this is because an oracle predicted that
he will grow up to be the murderer of his father the King. Oedipus did not die as he should have,
instead Oedipus was found and taken to the nearby city of Corinth. This is where Oedipus was
adopted as the son of the King and Queen. Many years later, Oedipus seeks counsel from the same
oracle that predicted his fate. The oracle does not tell him the identity of his true parents, instead
tells him that he would kill his father and marry his mother. To ovoid this prophecy, he ran away
from Corinth back...show more content...
A plague of infertility strikes Thebes; women no longer bear children and crops are not growing.
Oedipus, in his pride, says that he will end this deadly disease. Oedipus sends Creon to the oracle
in Delphi for guidance. When Creon returns, Oedipus learns that the murderer of King Laius must
be found and either be killed or exiled. In search for the Killers identity, Oedipus listens to the
advice of Creon and sends for the blind prophet. The prophet warns him not to go searching for
the killer of the king. The prophet is then provoked in exposing Oedipus as the killer. A messenger
arrives from Corinth with the news the King Polybus has died and the people of Corinth want
Oedipus as their king. Oedipus does not want to go because of the fact that his "mother" is still
alive and does not want the prophecy to come true. The messenger then reveals that Oedipus was
in fact adopted and is not the son of King and Queen of Corinth. Jocasta finally realizes the true
identity of Oedipus and tells him to stop the search for the killer of the King. She then goes into
the palace and hangs herself. Oedipus goes and seeks verification of the messenger's story from
the herdsman who was supposed to leave Oedipus for dead. Oedipus learns that the adopted son of
Polybus and Merope was actually the son of Laius and Jocasta. This is where he remembers that
place where the roads met, is where he killed his own father King Laius, with the consequence of
marring his own

Oedipus the King Essay
Sophocles' Oedipus the King In the play 'Oedipus Rex' the main character, Oedipus, has to deal
with his predetermined fate and his own nature. He is cursed from the beginning of his life when
a soothsayer tells of his fate upon his birth. It is predicted that he will kill his father, and marry
his mother, and raise a family. Oedipus was born to Laios and Iocaste who were the king and
queen of Thebes. Upon his birth, his parents were shocked at a soothsayer?s prediction of
Oedipus?s fate. It was originally said that he would kill his father, marry his mother, and raise a
family. Naturally his parents couldn't have this, so they rid themselves of Oedipus by apparently
killing him. They gave him to a shepard and told him...show more content...
Oedipus would carry on and eventually end up in Thebes where he was originally born. Oedipus
would go on to marry his mother Iocaste, and be looked at as a hero to the community. This
would in fact fulfill the second part of Oedipus?s fate. Oedipus would carry on his life in Thebes
and have a family with his new wife, Iocaste, who is also his mother. Throughout all of this
Oedipus never had the slightest clue he was angering the gods by committing the crimes of
patricide, regicide, and incest. The gods placed a plague on the city of Thebes and said that only
the plague would be lifted if the killer of the king Laios were brought to justice. At the time still
no one knew that Oedipus had killed the king or that he was the son of his wife. Oedipus would
carry on a vigorous search for the killer of Laios, although he would be very successful because
the person he was looking for was himself. In the end Oedipus would finally find out it was
himself he was looking for. When his wife committed suicide, after realizing it was actually
Oedipus who she had married, the soothsayer was trying to explain whom the killer of Laios
actually was. Oedipus never had control over his fate because it was all predetermined in the
telling of the soothsayer at the beginning of his life. Oedipus had no clue that it was his father he
was killing when he killed Laios, nor did he have any knowledge

While reading the plot of Oedipus the King and learning of Oedipus causing the death of both of
his parents, you would consider that a pretty tragic event. But, if you ask Aristotle he may not fully
agree with you. In Poetics, Aristotle goes into detail on what creates a true tragedy and what does
not. In many ways, the work of literature, Oedipus the King, written by Sophocles is a good tragedy,
but there are just a few things that limit it from being a complete tragic work.
The two most important characteristics of a tragedy are plot and character. The plot must be a
reasonable length, preferably a work that can be read in one sitting. The importance of this is that
the reader can remember and experience the whole emotion of the...show more content...
Due to the fact that the reversal of the situation and recognition happened simultaneously,
Oedipus the King fits Aristotle's first criteria of what a complete tragedy consists of. If a work of
literature has reversal and recognition, they will then create another important part of plot which
is pity and fear. In a tragedy, pity and fear should create a Katharsis which is a cleansing of
emotion. Aristotle feels that a tragedy should be an intense emotion of pity and fear so after
reading you will feel cleansed of that emotion like you would after a good cry. Aristotle defines
the creation of pity as "aroused by unmerited misfortune." What he is saying is that the pity is
created when something happens that the character doesn't deserve. In the case of Oedipus, this
is somewhat present and somewhat is not present. Oedipus kills his father which he did not know
at the time, but that action of murder spiraled the whole Oracle into becoming a reality. At the
same time, you can feel bad for Oedipus because he saved the city of Thebes from the Sphinx and
was trying his best to get them out of the famine. The second feeling, fear, is defined as "the
misfortune of a man like ourselves." Fear is the result of a tragic flaw. Tragic flaw says that the
downfall must not occur because of something really evil but because of a common error any of us
can make. Aristotle would definitely not consider this tragic flaw to be true in the case

Oedipus The King Essay

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