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Oedipus Rex
More than 2,420 years old but still studied today, the play ‘Oedipus Rex’ tells a tragic tale of mistaken identities, inescapable fates, and horrific human misdeeds. Contributors typically compare and contrast the play’s characters, storytelling techniques, and subject matter with similar pieces of literature from the same and different settings and time periods.
3,240 Questions
When you were king, you had things your own way and it went badly for you.
Why are Antigone and King Creon tragic figures?
Tragic figures face misfortune. Both Antigone and Theban King Creon are tragic because of the unfortunate lot that becomes theirs in life. Antigone is tragic, because she loses her life. But her tragedy arises from her passionate belief in a higher moral aurhority, and her consequent respectful defense of the dead. In contrast are the tragedies of the King. King Creon is tragic, because he loses everything that made his life worth living: his wife Queen Eurydice, his son Haemon, and the respect of his people and of the blind prophet Teiresias. And his tragedy arises from his obstinate pride in thinking that he canenact and enforce laws that are contrary to god-given justice and traditions.
Who does Oedipus show concern for at the end of the play?
He feels he has brought a curse on everyone - the citizens of his kingdom, his wife Jocasta and his children. I think he shows concern for these three groups in different ways at the end of the play.
What might you infer about Oedipus from the line what man more harassed by vexing gods?
His unhappiness is caused by the gods, not his own actions
How is Laius' murder important in 'Oedipus Rex'?
The murder of Theban King Laius is important as a heinous offense, and as a step in the fulfillment of a horrific fate. The offense is the killing of a father and a sovereign. Such an offense requires special cleansing procedures for purification of the particular individual and the place where that individual resides. A lack of individual cleansing pollutes the entire environment in which that individual lives.
Subsequent Theban King Oedipus is Laius' killer. He doesn't know of the personal and professional relationship that he shares with an apparently churlish, surly stranger. Oedipus nevertheless needs purification for his double offense. He doesn't go through it. So he pollutes himself and everyone and everything that comes into contact with him. Consequently, Thebes is visited with a pestilence whose fearful impact affects Theban livestock, harvests and birth rates.
On a personal level, that killing brings Oedipus closer to the terrifying fate that he seeks to avoid. He's warned by the Delphic Oracle of a future as a father killer and as a sex offender with his mother. So he flees Delphi and Corinth, where he mistakenly believes himself to be the biological son of Corinthian King Polybus and Corinthian Queen Merope.
But his flight takes him to a crossroads where a street brawl over a right-of-way leaves a stranger and four of his five companions dead. Unbeknownst to Oedipus, that stranger is precisely the father whom he seeks to avoid. Equally unbeknownst to him, Oedipus then heads to his hometown. There a grateful people reward him with a vacated royal throne and a grieving royal widow for ridding Thebes of the beastly, bullying Sphinx. Unbeknownst once more to Oedipus, that widow is his own mother, Theban Queen Jocasta.
All of the horrific pieces of the puzzle of Oedipus' life come together with that senseless killing at the meeting place for three roads. In fact, the English adjective 'trivial' traces its origins to the Latin for 'three roads'. The reason that trivial has its meaning is the unimportance of which road Oedipus chooses. All three roads meet at the very spot where a father unknowingly challenges a son's right to the road. So the origins and destinations of father and son are irrelevant, given that all meet in the same place and with the same heinously criminal, destructive consequences.
How old are the main characters in 'Oedipus Rex'?
There's no indication of age in 'Oedipus Rex' other than the description of Teiresias the blind prophet as elderly and of Theban King Laius as having silver streaked hair. But guesstimates may be offered. For example,Teiresias may have been in his 60s or 70s. Theban Queen Jocasta is from a different generation than her first husband, Theban King Laius. She therefore may be as young as 12-15 years old when she has her first child. Her son and second husband, Theban King Oedipus, may be as young as 18 when he runs away from Corinth, kills his father, defeats the Sphinx, and marries his own mother. Creon may be about the same age as his brother-in-law and nephew, Oedipus.
Why does Oedipus insist on letting everyone hear Creon's news?
Having an open interaction with his people is why Theban King Oedipus insists on letting all Thebans hear Theban King Creon's news. Creon comes back with news of how to end the pestilence that wreaks havoc on the city's people, livestock and harvests. Creons wants to step inside the palace, to give the news first to his colleague, and then afterwards to the Theban people. Oedipus wants everyone to hear at the same time.
Who are the main characters in the Oedipus the king play?
In Oedipus the kingOedipus fails to understand Jocastmotives for stopping the search .Elaborate
What does Oedipus' confrontation with Tiresias and Creon indicate about his character?
This confrontation shows that he is a very emotional, quick-to-action character. He refuses to speak to Creon privately, showing that he is very curious and public about it. In this way, Creon is a foil for him. Tiresias is also a foil, being very cryptic in speech and also recommending privacy. Tiresias is blind but can see the truth but Oedipus can see but doesn't see the truth (at first). Overall, Oedipus is prone to rash decisions and his emotions guide many of his actions before he truly considers the consequences.
How is Oedipus stubborn in 'Oedipus Rex'?
That he refuses to listen to reason and that he will not give up on a murder investigation are ways in which Oedipus is stubborn in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, stubbornness refers to an unwillingness to change words, thoughts or deeds in accordance with shifting circumstances. This description fits Theban King Oedipus. For example, he refuses to listen to Creon's reasonable self-defense against the unreasonable charge of conspiracy to commit treason. This is not at all admirable. But his stubbornness is admirable when he persists in carrying the investigation into King Laius' murder to its dreadful conclusion.
Of what does Oedipus accuse Creon?
Theban King Oedipus accuses his brother-in-law Creon of trying to overthrow him. In 'Oedipus the King', the city of Thebes is suffering from a plague. Creon consults with Teiresias the blind prophet. Ultimately, Teiresias reveals that the plague is caused by Oedipus having killed the previous king and married the widow. The two original crimes are worsened by the additional crimes of the previous king having been Oedipus' father and of the widowed queen being Oedipus' mother. The effects of the original crime of king-killing are made ever more dire by the continued effects of the subsequent crimes of marrying, and having children with, one's own mother. In essence, it's the poisoned tree and the fruits of the poisoned tree being allowed to flourish without restraint that bring in the plague and keep it within the Theban confines. Oedipus doesn't want to believe that he's the source of the plague. Neither does he want to accept the fact of the additional crimes that he albeit unknowingly commits. It's the refusal to accept and face reality that leads him to accuse Creon of bribing the circumspect Teiresias for the purpose of taking over the crown and throne of Thebes.
What are 10 adjectives describing Antigone from the play Antigone?
Ten adjectives that describe Antigone are:
1. independent
2. respectful
3. bold
4. rebellious
5. family-oriented
6. brave
7. spontaneous
8. unmerciful
9. overconfident
10. emotional
What are examples of personification in 'Oedipus Rex'?
That the city is so afflicted by the pestilence that her head cannot be raised is an example of personification in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, the term personification describes an animal, idea or object in terms of human qualities. The description fits the words of the priest of Zeus in the prologue. The priest notes that "...our city...is badly shaken--she cannot raise her head."
What does Creon say that Oedipus needs to do to get proof of Creon's innocence in 'Oedipus Rex'?
Consult with the Delphic oracle is what Creon says that Oedipus needs to do to get proof of Creon's innocence in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, Theban King Oedipus groundlessly charges Creon, his brother-in-law and royal colleague, with attempting to usurp all royal powers. Creon defends himself. He says that Oedipus need only check with the Delphic oracle. The oracle will confirm that the pestilence can be ended only with the identification and punishment of the guilty in King Laius' murder.
What are examples of foreshadowing in 'Antigone'?
Foreshadowing is a representation before hand, some kind of premonition of what happens in the story. In the play 'Antigone', the main character of the same name decides to disobey an inhumane, unfair, unjust, unpopular law. The foreshadowing of what happens to her in her disobedience is her statement to her sister, Ismene, 'I shall not suffer aught so dreadful as an ignoble death'. Antigone indeed hangs herself after being walled up in a remote cave, away from Haemon, her fiance and first cousin. The foreshadowing of what happens in response to the law is the blind prophet Teiresias' statement to Theban King Creon, 'A time not long to be delayed shall awaken the wailing of men and women in thy house'. King Creon indeed suffers the loss of Eurydice, his wife and his Queen; and of his son, Haemon. Both commit suicide.
Why was Oedipus doomed to make a serious error injudgment?
The gods wanted to have some fun by seeing Oedipus search for the murderer of Laius when it is himself.
Is Oedipus bad or good in 'Oedipus Rex'?
Oedipus is more good than bad in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, Oedipus expresses his goodness in defeating the Sphinx, gaining the respect of his people and serving superficially as a personal and professional model of happiness and success. He manifests his badness in his quick temper and rash decision making. But his badness reflects more a mistaken self-image than an evil character.
What are the literary elements in 'Oedipus Rex'?
Sophocles included many literary devices that helped tell the story. The most used literary device in the play is dramatic irony. Another literary device used by Sophocles is characterization. In Oedipus the King, Sophocles used characterization to portray Oedipus as the tragic hero. A third literary device used in the play is flashback, which is where the story switches from the present to an event that occurred in the past.
Who was the Ancient Greek man who lived in a bathtub He always carried a lantern and had a dog?
The athenian cynic philosopher Diogenes was the person who lived in a bathtub, had as company a dog and carried a lantern day and night seeking for the man in the darkness of life.
Who is Choragos in 'Oedipus Rex'?
Choragos or Choragus is the chorus leader. The individual in question is the character who speaks on behalf of the chorus of Theban elders. So he's the representative of the chorus in terms of the other characters in the play 'Oedipus Rex'.
Specifically, Choragos represents the informational responsibility of the chorus. That responsibility involves keeping the audience current of what's happening in the play. The other responsibility of the chorus is one that all chorus members carry it. It's the entertaining responsibility of dancing and singing.
What are the main differences between Antigone and Ismene in terms of personality?
The main differences between the two sisters, Antigone and Ismene, trace to their very different personalities. Antigone is a risk-taker. She's willing to stand fast to her convictions. She also is willing to follow through on the action necessary to support those belieffs. Ismene is a passive individual who appears to be more easily intimidated by power. She accepts the status quo. She believes that men are stronger than women, that men and women have different roles, and that the separation needs to be respected. She feels that women shouldn't be competitive with men or confrontational to recognized central authority. Ismene thinks that if women do something that's contrary to accepted procedure, they should do so in secret.
What did Oedipus discover as he sought to obey the oracle at delphi?
he discovered he wanted to advance in life
Who or what is Delphi in 'Oedipus Rex'?
The location of an oracle where prophecies are shared with humans is what Delphi is in the play "Oedipus Rex."
Specifically, the location of much of the play's action is Thebes. Thebes and Delphi are both in central Greece. But Thebes is to the southeast of Delphi.
Why does Oedipus have the right to show hubris in 'Oedipus Rex'?
That he is a heroic ruler who governs well is the reason why Oedipus has the right to show hubris in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, the term hubris describes an individual who is arrogant and proud and who has an exaggerated sense of self. It ends up a hero's typical flaw since the hero does great deeds, knows it and receives recognition for them. Theban King Oedipus has reason to think highly of himself because he defeats the Sphinx, has a happy domestic life and is beloved by Thebans.
