Oedipus rex Notes
AP Notes: Oedipus Rex
Oedipus Rex, circa 429 BC.
Author Biography
Sophocles was a Greek intellectual who lived from approximately 497 BC to 406 BC. Only seven of his tragedies survive to present day, the most famous of which concern the characters of Oedipus and Antigone.
Historical Information
Sophocles wrote Oedipus Rex during an era of philosophical advancement which took place largely in ancient Greece, and was led by such intellectuals as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. The pervasive questioning of principles and thoughts that had been held as fact were no doubt influential in the conception of this text.
Structure of Work
The play is divided into four episodes narrated by a chorus.
Major Settings
The play takes place in the city of Thebes, where Oedipus is ruler, the surrounding area of Kithairon, and Oedipus’s supposed city of origin, Corinth. And of course the crossroads that were the scene of Laius’s end.
Plot Synopsis
King Oedipus of Thebes is concerned about the curse has befallen Thebes, and sends his brother-in-law, Kreon, to seek the advice of Apollo. Kreon informs Oedipus that the curse will be lifted if the murderer of Laius (former king of Thebes murdered years ago at a crossroads), is found and prosecuted. Oedipus questions a series of unwilling citizens to questioning, including the blind prophet, Teiresias, who informs Oedipus that Oedipus himself killed Laius. This news is troubling to Oedipus, but his wife, Iokasta, tells him not to believe in prophets, citing as example of uncertain fate the prophecy that how she and King Laius would have a son who would kill Laius and sleep with her, but they had the child killed so that it would not pose a threat. Oedipus is still troubled however, as a man once told him that he was adopted and Oedipus himself had once killed a man at a crossroads. Despite the urging of Iokasta (his wife) and others to desist his search into the past, he remains tenaciously stubborn to uncover the truth.
Oedipus Rex, circa 429 BC.
Author Biography
Sophocles was a Greek intellectual who lived from approximately 497 BC to 406 BC. Only seven of his tragedies survive to present day, the most famous of which concern the characters of Oedipus and Antigone.
Historical Information
Sophocles wrote Oedipus Rex during an era of philosophical advancement which took place largely in ancient Greece, and was led by such intellectuals as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. The pervasive questioning of principles and thoughts that had been held as fact were no doubt influential in the conception of this text.
Structure of Work
The play is divided into four episodes narrated by a chorus.
Major Settings
The play takes place in the city of Thebes, where Oedipus is ruler, the surrounding area of Kithairon, and Oedipus’s supposed city of origin, Corinth. And of course the crossroads that were the scene of Laius’s end.
Plot Synopsis
King Oedipus of Thebes is concerned about the curse has befallen Thebes, and sends his brother-in-law, Kreon, to seek the advice of Apollo. Kreon informs Oedipus that the curse will be lifted if the murderer of Laius (former king of Thebes murdered years ago at a crossroads), is found and prosecuted. Oedipus questions a series of unwilling citizens to questioning, including the blind prophet, Teiresias, who informs Oedipus that Oedipus himself killed Laius. This news is troubling to Oedipus, but his wife, Iokasta, tells him not to believe in prophets, citing as example of uncertain fate the prophecy that how she and King Laius would have a son who would kill Laius and sleep with her, but they had the child killed so that it would not pose a threat. Oedipus is still troubled however, as a man once told him that he was adopted and Oedipus himself had once killed a man at a crossroads. Despite the urging of Iokasta (his wife) and others to desist his search into the past, he remains tenaciously stubborn to uncover the truth.