Oedipus The King Literary Merit
Shawn McDorman
Mrs. McGill
AP Lit and Comp
October 24, 2008
Choose a character from a novel or play of recognized literary merit and write an essay in which you (a) briefly describe the standards of the fictional society in which the character exists and (b) show how the character is affected by and responds to those standards. In your essay do not merely summarize the plot.
Oedipal society is a very religious civilization. The plebes religiously work their fields, pray to the gods to help their wheat grow, let the sun shine, and allow them to live for a few more years. They also religiously show deference to their leader, Oedipus. Oedipus is the one who has freed them of their slavery from the cursed sphinx who stumped many a greater man with her patronizing …show more content…
His first lines in the play are a reassurance to the king and to all those who were standing near at the time. He admits that he has bad news, but he also says that with the right amount of action and patience, the evil can be countered.. His next set of lines is a warning to Oedipus that they go inside so not to be overheard. He either understands that the plebes could misunderstand what he says and panic or he is trying to keep the information private such that none will know that someone is closing in on the neck of Laius’s killer. Either way, he provides an easy and inventive way to accomplish his goals without too much concern on the part of the populace. Oedipus does not take either the hint or the suggestion, and allows Laius to talk such that all those around could hear. Kreon shows himself to have a cool tongue to go with his cool processing head. He presents a logical explanation to Oedipus, and although Oedipus doesn’t accept it outright, he does agree to wait until he had all the information before he would prosecute his uncle. Kreon shows tact and grace under pressure which are two attributes of a great
Mrs. McGill
AP Lit and Comp
October 24, 2008
Choose a character from a novel or play of recognized literary merit and write an essay in which you (a) briefly describe the standards of the fictional society in which the character exists and (b) show how the character is affected by and responds to those standards. In your essay do not merely summarize the plot.
Oedipal society is a very religious civilization. The plebes religiously work their fields, pray to the gods to help their wheat grow, let the sun shine, and allow them to live for a few more years. They also religiously show deference to their leader, Oedipus. Oedipus is the one who has freed them of their slavery from the cursed sphinx who stumped many a greater man with her patronizing …show more content…
His first lines in the play are a reassurance to the king and to all those who were standing near at the time. He admits that he has bad news, but he also says that with the right amount of action and patience, the evil can be countered.. His next set of lines is a warning to Oedipus that they go inside so not to be overheard. He either understands that the plebes could misunderstand what he says and panic or he is trying to keep the information private such that none will know that someone is closing in on the neck of Laius’s killer. Either way, he provides an easy and inventive way to accomplish his goals without too much concern on the part of the populace. Oedipus does not take either the hint or the suggestion, and allows Laius to talk such that all those around could hear. Kreon shows himself to have a cool tongue to go with his cool processing head. He presents a logical explanation to Oedipus, and although Oedipus doesn’t accept it outright, he does agree to wait until he had all the information before he would prosecute his uncle. Kreon shows tact and grace under pressure which are two attributes of a great