Oedipus Throughout the course of time‚ the definition of the word "tragedy" has changed significantly from what the word originally meant when the Greeks were writing their famous plays. The word has gone from meaning "A drama or literary work in which the main character is brought to ruin or suffers extreme sorrow‚ especially as a consequence of a tragic flaw‚ moral weakness‚ or inability to cope with unfavorable circumstances‚" to the modern meaning of the word‚ "a lamentable‚ dreadful‚ or
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Characteristics of King Oedipus At the beginning of Oedipus the King‚ Oedipus is hugely confident‚ and with good reason. He has saved Thebes from the curse of the Sphinx and become king virtually overnight. He proclaims his name proudly as though it were itself a healing charm: “Here I am myself— / you all know me‚ the world knows my fame: / I am Oedipus” (7–9). Also‚ we see that these qualities make him an excellent ruler who anticipates his subjects’ needs. When the citizens of Thebes
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situations; therefore‚ all people have influence over their destiny. In Sophocles’ tragic Theban play‚ Oedipus Rex‚ King Oedipus‚ or the King of Thebes‚ answers his citizens’ pleas to end the dreadful plague that has fallen upon their city. In order to heal Thebes from its illness‚ Oedipus must discover the killer of the previous King of Thebes‚ King Laius. Once the prophecy uncovers itself‚ “[Oedipus] realizes the ambiguity of words‚ of values‚ and of the human condition‚” conveying that the King becomes
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The primary characteristic of Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex is that it is an ironic play. The play’s irony grasps the audience in a profound way because of the awareness that occurs regarding everything that is going on. Even though we‚ as observers‚ are sickened at the tragic life of Oedipus and the other characters‚ we are still able to appreciate the ironical characteristics of the play itself. The irony primarily exists in the context of man being free‚ but at the same time‚ fated. Without doubt‚ this
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they realize their mis-takes or their fate. In the case of Oedipus and Antigone‚ both recognize their tragic destiny and that it is impossible to escape it. Lastly‚ Oedipus and Antigone represent tragic heroes by reach-ing the moment of self-recognition and facing the catastrophe of their actions. For example‚ after the disclosure of Oedipus’ real identity by Shepherd‚ Oedipus falls into despair: “Children‚ the god was Apollo. He brought my sick‚ sick fate upon me.” (Exodos‚ l.117-118) By implementing
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Creon’s pride blinds him to the truth‚ and the fate that Tiresias was a direct effect of Creon’s actions. Tiresias’ prophecy for Oedipus on the other hand is ignored because of Oedipus’ ignorance to his situation that has already taken place. In Oedipus’ case Tiresias brings him news of prophecies that have already been fulfilled‚ yet for Creon in Antigone his prophecy is in the works. Tiresias plays a key role in the reversal of Oedipus’ fate in Oedipus Rex‚ but his role in Antigone has less of
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World Literature - Reader Response Log - Oedipus Rex Section|Line(s) |Questions|Reader’s Commentary|| Prologue|1-150|1. Describe the dramatic purpose of the Prologue.|The prologue sets the atmosphere of Oedipus Rex‚ and gets the reader interested.|| |8|2. How does Oedipus characterize himself in line 8?|He sees himself as famous to all men.|| |25-30|3. Describe the conditions in Thebes as depicted by the Priest in lines 25-30.|There is disease infecting the fruit and cattle of their land‚ and
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In the tragedy of Oedipus Rex by Sophocles‚ a man tries to escape the Fate he had been given‚ but unfortunate circumstances ensure that it comes true. Oedipus‚ the new ruler of Thebes tries to find information of his past and on King Laius’ death but unravels the unholy secrets of his true identity. Oedipus had killed his father‚ Laius‚ at a crossroads and married his mother‚ Queen Jocasta unknowingly‚ then created many children with her such as his featured daughters Antigone and Ismene. The truth
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In Oedipus the King‚ there are many limits of having free will over one’s own fate. It is illustrated through Sophocles’ play that not only do the Gods control peoples fate through prophecies and interferences‚ but other humans can play a role as well. People’s actions may directly affect whether a God’s prophecy plays out or not. There are multiple examples of this in Oedipus’ life. He was determined not to fulfil the prophecy of killing his father and marrying his mother‚ but his determination
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Oedipus later finds out that even though he escaped his fate when he was born (when he was spared from death and crowned prince of Corinth)‚ the boundaries of his free will led him back to the inevitable fate that the gods had in store for him. When Oedipus discovers this‚ he cries out and says‚ “Apollo‚ he ordained my agonies‚ these‚ my pains… I did it myself! What good were eyes to me? Nothing I could see could bring me joy.” (Sophocles‚ Ln. 1467-1473) Here‚ Oedipus is blaming Apollo for his troubles
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