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Because the truth will destroy both of them and their entire family is the reason why Jocasta tries to keep Oedipus from learning the truth in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, Theban Queen Jocasta realizes that the killer whose execution or exile the gods demand in fact is her second husband, Oedipus. Additionally, she also processes the fact that Oedipus is the infant son that she and her first husband, King Laius, leave to die rather than grow up to kill his father. Jocasta has a personality that avoids unpleasantness and that goes into denial. She therefore attempts not to broadcast this information, which will destroy the couple's role model life of domestic bliss and professional success.
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Is Jocasta wiser than Oedipus in 'Oedipus Rex'?
No, Jocasta is not wiser than Oedipus in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, neither Theban Queen Jocasta nor King Oedipus is wise. Jocasta just knows when to keep quiet and to stop a fight from beginning or escalating. Otherwise, she tends towards avoidance and escapism whereas Oedipus is confrontational and reactive.
What is the divine prophecy about Jocasta?
A divine prophecy affects Theban Queen Jocasta in four ways. According to the predictions, she will end up a widow in her marriage with Theban King Laius. She also will become the mother of her son by that marriage. The prophecy identifies that son as her first husband's killer and as her second husband. So Jocasta then will become the wife of her own son and the mother of his children.
What are the primary sources of fear and pity in 'Oedipus Rex'?
What happens to Jocasta, Laius Oedipus are the primary sources of fear and pity in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban monarchs Jocasta, Laius and Oedipus are given fearful fates just because their ancestors are on a divine hate list. They understandably attempt to keep their unenviable fates from being realized. They fight an uphill battle against the relentless Furies of fate. Their destinies inspire fear, their efforts courage and their sufferings pity.
Who or what is responsible for what happens to Oedipus in 'Oedipus Rex'?
Jocasta, Laius, Merope, and Polybusas well as the Theban and Corinthian shepherds and Oedipus himself are responsible for what happens to Oedipus in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban monarchs Laius and Jocasta are responsible for arranging for their three-day-old infant son Oedipus to be killed. They cannot do it themselves so they turn the murderous responsibility over to a Theban shepherd, who also is incapable of killing a defenseless baby. The Theban shepherd gives Oedipus to a Corinthian shepherd, who fosters Oedipus into the childless royal house. Just like everyone before them, Polybus and Merope keep quiet. Consequently, Oedipus makes the panic-stricken choices of someone who does not grasp reality and does not know who he really is.
Who is blinded by Jocasta's brooch?
Theban King Oedipus blinds himself with Theban Queen Jocasta's brooch. Jocasta turns out to be his mother, the mother of his children, and his wife. When the news breaks, Jocasta kills herself rather than keep up an incestuous marriage or choose between death or miserable exile. Oedipus then blinds himself rather than see the mess that he and his parents have made of their lives. He can't bear the thought of seeing the life choices and style that he previously had prided himself on knowing so well and seeing so clearly.
Is Jocasta wiser than Oedipus in 'Oedipus Rex'?
No, Jocasta is not wiser than Oedipus in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, neither Theban Queen Jocasta nor King Oedipus is wise. Jocasta just knows when to keep quiet and to stop a fight from beginning or escalating. Otherwise, she tends towards avoidance and escapism whereas Oedipus is confrontational and reactive.
What does Oedipus do after he holds Jocasta in his arms in 'Oedipus the King'?
Remove the brooches from her robes and blind himself is what Oedipus does after he holds Jocasta in his arms in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Queen Jocasta hangs herself after realizing that she is both wife and mother to her second husband, King Oedipus. Oedipus finds Jocasta's body hanging from the threads of her robes and removes it to the floor. He then blinds himself with the golden brooches that keep Jocasta's robes in place.
What is the divine prophecy about Jocasta?
A divine prophecy affects Theban Queen Jocasta in four ways. According to the predictions, she will end up a widow in her marriage with Theban King Laius. She also will become the mother of her son by that marriage. The prophecy identifies that son as her first husband's killer and as her second husband. So Jocasta then will become the wife of her own son and the mother of his children.
What does Jocasta reject in 'Oedipus Rex'?
That all prophecies come true is what Jocasta rejects in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Queen Jocasta believes that prophecies can be sabotaged. She knows of two prophecies that she believes do not come true. In each case, the person so affected reacts in such a way - killing a child, running away - as to keep the prophesied events from happening ... or so she believes.
What are the primary sources of fear and pity in 'Oedipus Rex'?
What happens to Jocasta, Laius Oedipus are the primary sources of fear and pity in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban monarchs Jocasta, Laius and Oedipus are given fearful fates just because their ancestors are on a divine hate list. They understandably attempt to keep their unenviable fates from being realized. They fight an uphill battle against the relentless Furies of fate. Their destinies inspire fear, their efforts courage and their sufferings pity.
Who or what is responsible for what happens to Oedipus in 'Oedipus Rex'?
Jocasta, Laius, Merope, and Polybusas well as the Theban and Corinthian shepherds and Oedipus himself are responsible for what happens to Oedipus in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban monarchs Laius and Jocasta are responsible for arranging for their three-day-old infant son Oedipus to be killed. They cannot do it themselves so they turn the murderous responsibility over to a Theban shepherd, who also is incapable of killing a defenseless baby. The Theban shepherd gives Oedipus to a Corinthian shepherd, who fosters Oedipus into the childless royal house. Just like everyone before them, Polybus and Merope keep quiet. Consequently, Oedipus makes the panic-stricken choices of someone who does not grasp reality and does not know who he really is.
Who is blinded by Jocasta's brooch?
Theban King Oedipus blinds himself with Theban Queen Jocasta's brooch. Jocasta turns out to be his mother, the mother of his children, and his wife. When the news breaks, Jocasta kills herself rather than keep up an incestuous marriage or choose between death or miserable exile. Oedipus then blinds himself rather than see the mess that he and his parents have made of their lives. He can't bear the thought of seeing the life choices and style that he previously had prided himself on knowing so well and seeing so clearly.
What does Jocasta realize in lines 1109-1110 of 'Oedipus Rex'?
The line numbering varies by the particular version of the play 'Oedipus Rex'. According to some versions, the lines 1109-1110 occur around the time that Theban Queen Jocasta receives the news of the death of Corinthian King Polybus. This news reassures her, because her second husband, Theban King Oedipus, previously tells her of the Delphic Oracle's description of him as his father's killer. But Polybus dies a natural death in Corinth while Oedipus rules in Thebes. So Oedipus can't be a father and king killer.According to other versions, the lines occur later on in the play. The later news upsets Jocasta. The chilling news later on is the survival of an infant whose ankles are pierced. That child is given to a Corinthian shepherd by the very trusted shepherd and servant to whom Jocasta entrusts heer three day old infant. The baby Oedipus is the predicted killer of his father and sovereign, Laius. Jocasta can't bring herself to kill Oedipus to keep him from killing her husband. All this time she thinks that her husband's life is safe, because of the shepherd carrying out her royal orders to kill the infant for her. Jocasta therefore realizes that Oedipus, her beloved second husband and the father of her four children, is none other than her own son.
Does Jocasta learn Oedipus is her son before or after Oedipus realizes Jocasta is his mother?
Theban Queen Jocasta is first to realize that her husband, Theban King Oedipus, is her son. That's why she begs him to stop the search for the killer of Theban King Laius. She walks away when she doesn't succeed in this attempt. She goes off to her room, and kills herself.Jocasta's first marriage had begun on a sour note because of a dreadful prophecy. It was predicted that she and her husband would have a son who'd kill his father and marry his mother. She and Laius tried to keep the prophecy from coming true. But their plans and efforts only ensured the carrying out of the horrible warnings.
Why does Tiresias keep mentioning King Oedipus's parents?
The fact that Theban King Oedipus doesn't know who his real parents are is why Teiresias the blind prophet mentions them. That knowledge is critical to the solving of the problems that overwhelm the Theban people and their king. The reason is that the seemingly happy, model royal couple are living in sin. That sin pollutes the entire city of Thebes and all of its people.Oedipus and his people believe Corinthian King Polybus and Queen Merope to be none other than the monarch's biological parents. Oedipus and his people believe Theban Queen Jocasta to be a legitimate royal consort. And Oedipus and his people believe the royal marriage to be decent and valid.But in actuality, the Corinthian monarchs are foster parents to Oedipus. In actuality, neither Oedipus nor Jocasta may be considered as legitimate spouses to each other. Their true relationship prevents all notion of legality or legitimacy. In fact, they're mother and son. So their marriage is neither decent nor valid. It comes about through the murder of Jocasta's first husband, Theban King Laius. And the albeit unknowing murderer is Oedipus.
What blind prophet does Oedipus force to tell the truth about King Laius' murder?
Teiresias is the blind prophet whom Theban King Oedipus forces to tell the truth about Theban King Laius' murder. Teiresias is reluctant to share what he knows. In fact, the truth may end up getting him charged with treason. That serious charge and undoubtedly the knowledge of Oedipus' quick temper keep the blind seer from saying what he knows to be true. It's only after considerable bullying, insulting and threatening from Oedipus that Teiresias relents. His hesitation is due to his knowledge of Oedipus as a father killer, a king killer, and an incestuous sex offender.
Why does Oedipus not heed Jocasta's warnings not to pursue the Messenger's news?
A professional responsibility, a problem solving personality, and a personal concern are what keep Theban King Oedipus from heeding Theban Queen Jocasta's warning against pursuing the Messenger's news. Professionally, Oedipus is responsible for identifying and punishing the murderer or murderers of his royal predecessor, Theban King Laius. Personality wise, Oedipus shows himself to be a problem solver. He learns of his fate to kill his father and marry his mother. So he runs away from those whom he believes to be his parents and settles down far away. In his new hometown, he solves such seemingly unsolvable problems as a heavy tax burden and a harrying Sphinx. Personally, Oedipus expresses the concern that what happens to one Theban king may happen to him.
