Oedipus Rex Essay Questions
Marjories N. Vasquez
Mrs. Vazquezbello
AP English Lang.
5 February 2018
Oedipus Rex Questions
1. A tragic hero, according to Aristotle, contains “anagnoris” a moment of important discovery as well as “catharsis,” feelings of pity felt by the audience (“Tragic Hero”). Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex is a true Greek tragedy because it accurately displays these characteristics. The most important discovery of the hero was the realization that he is the son of Laius and Jocasta. “O,O,O, they will all come, all come out clearly! Light of the sun, let me look upon you no more after today!” (Sophocles, 1363-1365). Here anagnoris takes place and he realizes he is his father’s murderer and slept with his mother. By the end of the play, the audience cannot help …show more content…
Creon’s actions in the beginning of the play makes it clear to the reader that he is an honest and even-tempered character. For example, after his dispute with paranoid Oedipus, Creon rationally expresses his disinterest in the crown, “And I have naught to fear, but were I king, my acts would oft run counter to my will” (Sopocles, 583-584). By the end of the play, he proves himself to be responsible but most of all forgiving. “I am the one who prepared these things, knowing the joy they have long brought you” (Sophocles, 1498-1499). While he cares for the grieving and injured Oedipus and even promise to care for his children, it shows how generous of a character he really is. Lastly, at Oedipus’s request, Creon exiles him from …show more content…
The riddle of the sphinx symbolizes the inevitable continuity of the human life. This is metaphoric to Oedipus’s life because he too can not avoid his fate and eventual doom. It is dramatic irony for him to have answered the riddle because of his reward. He believes he has achieved his purpose in life but instead put himself on the throne by marrying his mother and killing his father. It is also ironic how he can answer the impossible sphinx riddle but is so unaware of the riddle that is his own existence.
5. After being aware of the end of the story, the beginning of Oedipus’s second speech reveals situational irony. Oedipus is full of pride and believes he is highly wise. “I know you are all sick, yet there is not one of you, sick though you are, that is as sick as myself” (Sophocles, 68-70). His arrogance proves to be ironic because he is not as sage as he thinks. As he goes on his journey to find the murderer, he is unaware that he is the killer. This demonstrates that he is ironically not as intelligent as he prides himself to
Mrs. Vazquezbello
AP English Lang.
5 February 2018
Oedipus Rex Questions
1. A tragic hero, according to Aristotle, contains “anagnoris” a moment of important discovery as well as “catharsis,” feelings of pity felt by the audience (“Tragic Hero”). Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex is a true Greek tragedy because it accurately displays these characteristics. The most important discovery of the hero was the realization that he is the son of Laius and Jocasta. “O,O,O, they will all come, all come out clearly! Light of the sun, let me look upon you no more after today!” (Sophocles, 1363-1365). Here anagnoris takes place and he realizes he is his father’s murderer and slept with his mother. By the end of the play, the audience cannot help …show more content…
Creon’s actions in the beginning of the play makes it clear to the reader that he is an honest and even-tempered character. For example, after his dispute with paranoid Oedipus, Creon rationally expresses his disinterest in the crown, “And I have naught to fear, but were I king, my acts would oft run counter to my will” (Sopocles, 583-584). By the end of the play, he proves himself to be responsible but most of all forgiving. “I am the one who prepared these things, knowing the joy they have long brought you” (Sophocles, 1498-1499). While he cares for the grieving and injured Oedipus and even promise to care for his children, it shows how generous of a character he really is. Lastly, at Oedipus’s request, Creon exiles him from …show more content…
The riddle of the sphinx symbolizes the inevitable continuity of the human life. This is metaphoric to Oedipus’s life because he too can not avoid his fate and eventual doom. It is dramatic irony for him to have answered the riddle because of his reward. He believes he has achieved his purpose in life but instead put himself on the throne by marrying his mother and killing his father. It is also ironic how he can answer the impossible sphinx riddle but is so unaware of the riddle that is his own existence.
5. After being aware of the end of the story, the beginning of Oedipus’s second speech reveals situational irony. Oedipus is full of pride and believes he is highly wise. “I know you are all sick, yet there is not one of you, sick though you are, that is as sick as myself” (Sophocles, 68-70). His arrogance proves to be ironic because he is not as sage as he thinks. As he goes on his journey to find the murderer, he is unaware that he is the killer. This demonstrates that he is ironically not as intelligent as he prides himself to