Major Themes in Oedipus Rex
Analysis of Major Themes in Oedipus Rex
Sophocles is given the credit he deserves for this play which was first performed in 429
B.C. the twist and turns that are presented within the play are intricate and well written. The themes that are presented within the play help tell the story of Oedipus and how the tragic events that unfold in his life involving the prophecy that was told by the oracle when he was born. The themes were introduced with exceptional placement which aid in the development of Oedipus’ realization of the truth and his downfall. As I read through Oedipus Rex there were three major themes which stood out to me that are elaborately used throughout the story and play a major role in giving this play its dramatic effect; fate, ignorance, and shame.
The theme of fate is introduced early on in Oedipus’ infancy.
As an infant, he had been abandoned by his parents, Laius and Jocasta, the king and queen of Thebes, because a prophecy warned that their son would kill his father and marry his mother. They instructed a servant to leave him on a mountain to die. The infant’s feet were pierced and pinned together, but he was not left on the mountain; instead the servant out of pity, gave him to a shepherd, who in turn presented him to the king and queen of Corinth. They named him Oedipus (for
“swollen foot”) and raised him as their own son. (Oedipus the King, page
14251426)
The moment the oracle had given king Laius and Jocasta this prophecy they feared that their child would fulfill it, but Laius and Jocasta did not keep in mind before taking action that the oracle had said their child would kill his father and marry his mother, the oracle did not state to kill their child, but due to their own fear overcoming them it would led to this prophecy being fulfilled. They gave their child to a servant to be left on a mountain to die. In doing so king Laius and Jocasta had thought they could prevent the prophecy from occurring, but they did
Sophocles is given the credit he deserves for this play which was first performed in 429
B.C. the twist and turns that are presented within the play are intricate and well written. The themes that are presented within the play help tell the story of Oedipus and how the tragic events that unfold in his life involving the prophecy that was told by the oracle when he was born. The themes were introduced with exceptional placement which aid in the development of Oedipus’ realization of the truth and his downfall. As I read through Oedipus Rex there were three major themes which stood out to me that are elaborately used throughout the story and play a major role in giving this play its dramatic effect; fate, ignorance, and shame.
The theme of fate is introduced early on in Oedipus’ infancy.
As an infant, he had been abandoned by his parents, Laius and Jocasta, the king and queen of Thebes, because a prophecy warned that their son would kill his father and marry his mother. They instructed a servant to leave him on a mountain to die. The infant’s feet were pierced and pinned together, but he was not left on the mountain; instead the servant out of pity, gave him to a shepherd, who in turn presented him to the king and queen of Corinth. They named him Oedipus (for
“swollen foot”) and raised him as their own son. (Oedipus the King, page
14251426)
The moment the oracle had given king Laius and Jocasta this prophecy they feared that their child would fulfill it, but Laius and Jocasta did not keep in mind before taking action that the oracle had said their child would kill his father and marry his mother, the oracle did not state to kill their child, but due to their own fear overcoming them it would led to this prophecy being fulfilled. They gave their child to a servant to be left on a mountain to die. In doing so king Laius and Jocasta had thought they could prevent the prophecy from occurring, but they did