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That she believes some prophecies to be inaccurate is the reason why Jocasta dismisses the oracle's prophecy in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban Queen Jocasta offers the example of an upsetting prophecy that her child with her first husband, King Laius, will grow up to kill his father. Jocasta hands the three-day-old infant Oedipus over to her most trusted servant for killing by exposure to weather and wildlife on the mountains outside Thebes. She believes her son to be dead and points out that Laius dies years later at the murderous hands of robbers in the neighboring land of Phocis. She therefore assumes that this is a case of a mistaken prophet and an equally mistaken prophecy.

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What reason does Jocasta give for not believing in prophets and prophecies?

Jocasta expresses skepticism towards prophets and prophecies by recounting a past prophecy that claimed her son would kill his father and marry her. She reveals that this prophecy was proven false when her son, Oedipus, unknowingly killed his father, Laius, and did not fulfill the prophecy as expected. This experience leads her to dismiss the reliability of oracles and prophecies, believing that they can be misleading and do not hold true.


What argument does jocasta use to persuade Oedipus to ignore the sooth sayers or oracles?

Jocasta attempts to persuade Oedipus to disregard the prophecies and soothsayers by citing examples from her own experience, specifically the prophecy that her son would kill his father and marry her. She argues that such predictions are unreliable, as their past outcomes were proven false when her first husband, King Laius, was killed by strangers at a crossroads instead of by their son. Jocasta emphasizes that the gods can be deceptive, suggesting that Oedipus should focus on the present rather than fear the uncertain future foretold by oracles.


What argument does Jocasta use to persuade Oedipus to ignore soothsayers and oracles in 'Oedipus Rex'?

That two men do not die in the way described by the prophecies is the argument that Jocasta uses to persuade Oedipus to ignore soothsayers and oracles in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, a prophecy warns that Theban King Laius will be killed by his own son. But Theban Queen Jocasta, Laius' widow and Oedipus' wife, points out that her first husband dies at the hands of strangers and robbers in Phocis. Then she brings up Corinthian King Polybus, who also is supposed to die at the hands of his son, Oedipus. But once again, Jocasta points out that the Corinthian monarch dies of illness and old age.


How does jocasta attitude about the oracles contrast to the chorus?

Jocasta exhibits skepticism towards the oracles and prophecies, believing that they are unreliable and often lead to suffering, as seen in her dismissive attitude toward the prophecy concerning Oedipus. In contrast, the Chorus holds a more reverent view of the oracles, embracing their authority and the inevitability of fate. This contrast highlights Jocasta's struggle against the predetermined outcomes of the gods, while the Chorus reflects a deeper acceptance of fate and divine will in human affairs. Ultimately, Jocasta's disbelief in the oracles underscores her tragic fate, while the Chorus serves as a voice of communal wisdom and reflection.


How does Jocasta attempt to set Oedipus mind at rest concerning the prophecy in 'Oedipus Rex'?

It is by saying that not all prophecies come true that Jocasta attempts to set Oedipus' mind at ease in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Oedipus fears a prophecy that he will kill his father and marry his mother. His wife, Queen Jocasta, insists that oracles and prophets are not as skilled as gods and the Furies of fate in terms of predictions. She maintains that not all prophecies come true. She offers the example of her first husband, King Laius, dying unpredictably at the hands of robbers rather than predictably at the hands of his own son.

Related Questions

What reason does Jocasta give for not believing in prophets and prophecies?

Jocasta expresses skepticism towards prophets and prophecies by recounting a past prophecy that claimed her son would kill his father and marry her. She reveals that this prophecy was proven false when her son, Oedipus, unknowingly killed his father, Laius, and did not fulfill the prophecy as expected. This experience leads her to dismiss the reliability of oracles and prophecies, believing that they can be misleading and do not hold true.


What are the argument and the resolution of Oedipus' and Jocasta's argument about oracles in 'Oedipus Rex'?

That they may not be true but they in fact are is the respective argument and resolution of Oedipus' and Jocasta's argument about oracles in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Oedipus is worried about the Delphic oracle's prophecy that he will kill his father and marry his mother. His wife, Queen Jocasta, mentions that oracles and prophets are not gods and therefore make mistakes. The royal couple thinks that the issue is resolved with the example of the inaccurate prophecy about King Laius' death by his own son and the evidence of Oedipus' presumed father King Polybus' death from illness and old age. But the resolution turns out to be that Laius is killed by his biological son Oedipus, who is Polybus' adopted or foster son.


What does Jocasta have to say about oracles and prophecy?

Jocasta believed that prophets are not Gods and can make mistakes. She believes no human has the skill to be prophets.


What argument does jocasta use to persuade Oedipus to ignore the sooth sayers or oracles?

Jocasta attempts to persuade Oedipus to disregard the prophecies and soothsayers by citing examples from her own experience, specifically the prophecy that her son would kill his father and marry her. She argues that such predictions are unreliable, as their past outcomes were proven false when her first husband, King Laius, was killed by strangers at a crossroads instead of by their son. Jocasta emphasizes that the gods can be deceptive, suggesting that Oedipus should focus on the present rather than fear the uncertain future foretold by oracles.


What argument does Jocasta use to persuade Oedipus to ignore soothsayers and oracles in 'Oedipus Rex'?

That two men do not die in the way described by the prophecies is the argument that Jocasta uses to persuade Oedipus to ignore soothsayers and oracles in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, a prophecy warns that Theban King Laius will be killed by his own son. But Theban Queen Jocasta, Laius' widow and Oedipus' wife, points out that her first husband dies at the hands of strangers and robbers in Phocis. Then she brings up Corinthian King Polybus, who also is supposed to die at the hands of his son, Oedipus. But once again, Jocasta points out that the Corinthian monarch dies of illness and old age.


What argument does Jocasta use to persuade Oedipus to ignore soothsayers and oracles in 'Oedipus Rex?

That two men do not die in the way described by the prophecies is the argument that Jocasta uses to persuade Oedipus to ignore soothsayers and oracles in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, a prophecy warns that Theban King Laius will be killed by his own son. But Theban Queen Jocasta, Laius' widow and Oedipus' wife, points out that her first husband dies at the hands of strangers and robbers in Phocis. Then she brings up Corinthian King Polybus, who also is supposed to die at the hands of his son, Oedipus. But once again, Jocasta points out that the Corinthian monarch dies of illness and old age.


What proof does jocasta use to support her opinion that mortal man is incapable of divination?

In Oedipus Rex, Jocasta argues that mortal man is incapable of divination by pointing to the example of the prophecy that Oedipus would kill his father and marry his mother. She highlights the fact that despite the prophecy, Oedipus attempted to avoid his fate, ultimately fulfilling it instead. Jocasta believes that human actions can defy or misinterpret divine predictions, suggesting that reliance on oracles is misguided. This perspective reflects her skepticism towards the validity of prophecies and the limitations of human understanding.


How does jocasta attitude about the oracles contrast to the chorus?

Jocasta exhibits skepticism towards the oracles and prophecies, believing that they are unreliable and often lead to suffering, as seen in her dismissive attitude toward the prophecy concerning Oedipus. In contrast, the Chorus holds a more reverent view of the oracles, embracing their authority and the inevitability of fate. This contrast highlights Jocasta's struggle against the predetermined outcomes of the gods, while the Chorus reflects a deeper acceptance of fate and divine will in human affairs. Ultimately, Jocasta's disbelief in the oracles underscores her tragic fate, while the Chorus serves as a voice of communal wisdom and reflection.


How does Jocasta attempt to set Oedipus mind at rest concerning the prophecy in 'Oedipus Rex'?

It is by saying that not all prophecies come true that Jocasta attempts to set Oedipus' mind at ease in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Oedipus fears a prophecy that he will kill his father and marry his mother. His wife, Queen Jocasta, insists that oracles and prophets are not as skilled as gods and the Furies of fate in terms of predictions. She maintains that not all prophecies come true. She offers the example of her first husband, King Laius, dying unpredictably at the hands of robbers rather than predictably at the hands of his own son.


How would you describe Jocasta's view of prophets and prophecies?

Jocasta, in Sophocles' "Oedipus Rex," exhibits skepticism towards prophets and prophecies. She dismisses the validity of oracles, believing that they can lead to unnecessary fear and suffering, as evidenced by her attempt to dissuade Oedipus from believing in the prophecy regarding his fate. Her experience with the prophecy about her own son reinforces her disbelief, as she feels that attempts to evade fate only lead to its fulfillment. Ultimately, Jocasta's view reflects a tension between human agency and the inevitability of destiny.


What is the oracle's prophecy in 'Oedipus Rex'?

That Oedipus will kill his father and marry his mother is the oracle's prophecy in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the Delphic oracle is the best known and most widely respected oracle in all of ancient Greece. The play includes other prophecies, but not by oracles. For example, Theban monarchs Laius and Jocasta hear a prophecy of their son growing up to kill his father, but it is not from an oracle.


Did the oracles of prophency free Oedipus from giult?

The oracles of prophecy did not free Oedipus from guilt; rather, they highlighted the inevitability of his tragic fate. Despite his efforts to avoid fulfilling the prophecy that he would kill his father and marry his mother, Oedipus's actions ultimately lead him to fulfill it. The oracles serve as a reminder of the limits of free will and the power of fate, reinforcing that Oedipus is both a victim of prophecy and responsible for his choices. Thus, while they illuminate the forces at play in his life, they do not absolve him of guilt for his actions.