Oedipus Rex Vs. Paranoid Android
Oedipus Rex vs. Paranoid Android
In Sophocles’ play Oedipus the King, Sophocles seizes every opportunity to exploit the dramatic irony of the willingness to ignore the painful truth and the song ‘Paranoid Android’ by Radiohead demonstrates that same approach to truth in its lyrics. The first example of Oedipus’ willingness to ignore the painful truth takes place when Jocasta says that she was told that Laius was killed by “strangers,” whereas Oedipus knows that he acted alone when he killed a man in similar circumstances. Both Oedipus and Jocasta act as though the servant’s story of Laius’ death is unquestionable history. Both Oedipus and Jocasta cannot face the possibility of what it would mean if the servant were wrong. This might be why Jocasta feels she can tell Oedipus of the prophecy that her son would kill his father, and Oedipus can tell …show more content…
Provoked by the anger and insults of Oedipus, Tiresias begins to hint at his knowledge. Finally, when Oedipus furiously accuses Tiresias of the murder, Tiresias tells Oedipus that Oedipus himself is the curse. Oedipus dares Tiresias to say it again, and so Tiresias calls Oedipus the murderer. Tiresis states,” Thou seekest, and thou art, the murder! I tell thee, with thy dearest, knowing nought, Thous liv’st in shame, seeing not thine own ill” and Oedipus responds, “Tis strong enough for all, but not for thee. Blind eyes, blind ears, blind heart, thous hast it not.” (lines 392-401) Oedipus criticizes Tiresias’s powers wildly and insults his blindness, but Tiresias only responds that the insults will eventually be turned on Oedipus by all of Thebes. Driven into a fury by the accusation, Oedipus proceeds to make up a story that Creon and Tiresias are conspiring to overthrow him and continues to completely ignore the truth that he is a murderer and pillows with his mother. In comparison, the following lyrics from Radioheads’ “Paranoid Android” coincide with the example of Oedipus
In Sophocles’ play Oedipus the King, Sophocles seizes every opportunity to exploit the dramatic irony of the willingness to ignore the painful truth and the song ‘Paranoid Android’ by Radiohead demonstrates that same approach to truth in its lyrics. The first example of Oedipus’ willingness to ignore the painful truth takes place when Jocasta says that she was told that Laius was killed by “strangers,” whereas Oedipus knows that he acted alone when he killed a man in similar circumstances. Both Oedipus and Jocasta act as though the servant’s story of Laius’ death is unquestionable history. Both Oedipus and Jocasta cannot face the possibility of what it would mean if the servant were wrong. This might be why Jocasta feels she can tell Oedipus of the prophecy that her son would kill his father, and Oedipus can tell …show more content…
Provoked by the anger and insults of Oedipus, Tiresias begins to hint at his knowledge. Finally, when Oedipus furiously accuses Tiresias of the murder, Tiresias tells Oedipus that Oedipus himself is the curse. Oedipus dares Tiresias to say it again, and so Tiresias calls Oedipus the murderer. Tiresis states,” Thou seekest, and thou art, the murder! I tell thee, with thy dearest, knowing nought, Thous liv’st in shame, seeing not thine own ill” and Oedipus responds, “Tis strong enough for all, but not for thee. Blind eyes, blind ears, blind heart, thous hast it not.” (lines 392-401) Oedipus criticizes Tiresias’s powers wildly and insults his blindness, but Tiresias only responds that the insults will eventually be turned on Oedipus by all of Thebes. Driven into a fury by the accusation, Oedipus proceeds to make up a story that Creon and Tiresias are conspiring to overthrow him and continues to completely ignore the truth that he is a murderer and pillows with his mother. In comparison, the following lyrics from Radioheads’ “Paranoid Android” coincide with the example of Oedipus