0
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
Ismene has two main appearances in the play 'Antigone'. One is in the very beginning, where she wants to be in compliance with the manmade laws of her uncle, Theban King Creon. She therefore wants to leave her brother Polyneices' corpse above ground and exposed to the elements, dogs, and birds. The other main appearance is the audience with the King. In this second instance, she wants to be sentenced in the same way as her sister Antigone. She falsely claims to have helped Antigone give Polyneices' corpse its god-given rights to proper funerary rites. But Ismene is a survivor. Given the brief glimpses of her personality, it's difficult to believe that she wants other than to live and hold her position as the daughter and relative of Theban kings; and as the descendant of Cadmus, who founded Thebes in about 2000 B.C.E.* At the end of the play, therefore, she alone is the last of the four children of Theban King Oedipus and Queen Jocasta to be alive. *Before the Christian Era.
How many captains march against the Thebans in 'Seven Against Thebes'?
Seven is the number of captains who march against Thebes in "Seven Against Thebes" by Aeschylus (c. 525/524 B.C.E. - c. 456 B.C.E.).
Specifically, the captains lead attackers from the combined forces of disgruntled Thebans and supportive Argives. They each receive an assignment to a particular gate to attack and overwhelm. The following lists the leaders in the order of the assigned gates, 1-7: Tydeus; Capaneus; Eteoclus; Hippomedon; Parthenopeus; Amphiaraus; and Polyneices, the legitimate heir to the Theban crown and throne.
Which character is a respected elder in 'Antigone'?
The elder in the play is Tieresias, the old prophet. He is a blind man who has played an important role in the other 2 plays of the trilogy. Tieresias', an extremely wise man, bestows his knowledge upon King Creon, but Creon is to angry to listen.
Is it his birth or adoptive father that Oedipus was supposed to kill in the play 'Oedipus Rex'?
It is his birth father that Oedipus is supposed to kill in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, a prophet tells Theban monarchs Laius and Jocasta that their son, Oedipus, will grow up to kill his father. As a young man, Oedipus goes to Delphi to consult the Pythia, ancient Greece's foremost oracle. He gets the disturbing news that he will grow up to kill his father and marry his mother. It therefore appears to be a prophecy about Oedipus' birth not adoptive father.
Why is Oedipus afraid of Merope?
because he thinks merope is his real mother and he is accursed to marry his mother. his real mother is jocasta.
What is the base of the prophecy concerning Oedipus' birth in 'Oedipus Rex'?
The divine curse on the royal house of Thebes is the base of the prophecy concerning Oedipus' birth in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, the gods become angry with Cadmus, founder and first king of Thebes and grandson of the sea god Poseidon. They give his wife Harmonia as a wedding present an unlucky necklace that brings misfortune to Thebes in general and the royal family in particular. Additionally, the wine god Dionysos, who is Cadmus' nephew, becomes angry with Cadmus' son Polydorus and grandson Labdacus, both of whom die young and violently. So it is not unexpected that the gods choose an unenviable fate, as revealed by prophecy, to Cadmus' great-grandson Laius.
Another base that is identified by psychology is a stage in a boy's development in which he is drawn less to the father and more to the mother as the source of information and emotional support.
No, Oedipus' realization that all the prophecies come true is not the inciting incident in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, the inciting incident is the event that makes the story possible. Without it, there is no story. It occurs in the beginning of the play. In contrast, Oedipus' realization occurs at the end.
What happens first in 'Oedipus Rex'?
Oedipus talking to the priest of Zeus and citizens of Thebes is what happens first in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. -- 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, the priest and Thebans are gathered around altars set up outside the main entrance to the royal Palace of Thebes. Oedipus steps outside. Oedipus makes clear in what he says that he speaks to everyone present. But in terms of asking questions and reacting to statements, Oedipus interacts with the priest of Zeus.
Does Antigone have a dignified superior character in 'Antigone'?
No, Antigone does not have a dignified character, but she does have a superior one, in the play "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone always is described in terms of her emotions and her hard-headedness. For example, the chorus speaks of her stubborn passion. Her sister Ismene fears her refusal to do things quietly and her insistence upon speaking honestly about what she thinks is right and wrong. Her uncle Theban King Creon characterizes her as letting her emotions run wild and acting foolishly her entire life. So Antigone definitely is more passionate than dignified in her behavior and less conciliatory than superior in her communications and expressions.
The play Oedipus Rex was written by?
The classic tragedy Oedipus Rex was written by Sophocles and first performed in 429 BC. Aristotle proclaimed the play the best Greek tragedy ever written in his book Poetica.
What stage of Freytag's Pyramid is represented by the revelation of King Polybus' death?
Rising action is the stage of Freytag's pyramid that is represented by the revelation of King Polybus' death in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, the phrase rising action decribes a complication that arises in regard to the main conflict. The complication may involve an event or an individual. It poses an obstacle that must be overcome in order for Theban King Oedipus to find the guilty in King Laius' murder and thereby end the pestilence.
No, Teiresias isn't an oracle. The word 'oracle' refers to both the medium by which the future is learned and to the specific place where the medium is to be consulted. For example, the oracle that's mentioned in 'Oedipus Rex' is the Delphic oracle. In other words, the oracle is found at Delphos.
Teiresias is blessed with the gift of and skill at seeing the future. But he isn't a medium and doesn't live apart from Thebans. Instead, he lives in Thebes as a prophet.
Fateful ancient Greek and modern African American are the cultural identities respectively implied by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.) in "Oedipus Rex" and Lorraine Hansberry (May 19, 1930 -- January 12, 1965) in "A Raisin in the Sun."
Specifically, the Oedipus story comes from the literature of ancient Greece. Hard work counts for nothing against the customized fate that the gods hand out to each mortal. In contrast, family ties and hard work may count for something when the Younger family receives a huge insurance check.
Why did oedipus pull his eyes out?
He was utterly shocked and horrified that he had done what he did, even though he was not aware of it. Symbolically or metaphorically he was blind to the truth and his physical blindness relates to that. He also is filled with shame and does not want to be seen; he wanted to live the shame that he believed his actions deserved. Taking his own sight was a way to make his shame real. There are some aspects of his blindness that may relate to his now having vision into the truth of the gods.
What should Creon do in the plays 'Oedipus Rex' and 'Antigone'?
Await the decision of the gods and Reverse his previous actions is what Creon respectively needs to do in "Oedipus Rex" and "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, Theban King Creon has to decide what to do with disgraced King Oedipus. Oedipus is pushing for a decision that is not Creon's to make as to the form of punishment. Creon must await divine expression of whether to execute or exile Oedipus for criminal acts and immoral behavior.
Subsequently, Creon needs to decide what to do with his niece Princess Antigone's breaking his law of non-burial and burying her brother Polyneices. Creon reacts in the wisest fashion if he honors the gods and Theban traditions by annulling his edict, burying Polyneices and pardoning Antigone.
What command does Oedipus issue to help the people unearth clues and criminals in 'Oedipus Rex'?
That they must cooperate or face punishment is the command that Oedipus issues to help the people unearth clues and criminals in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, Theban King Oedipus has to find the guilty in King Laius' murder in order to end the pestilence in Thebes. He hopes to encourage cooperation with negative and positive reinforcements. Those who cooperate will receive royal rewards and thanks while those who do not will face the same punishment as Laius' killer.
How does Oedipus overcome the Sphinx?
Oedipus overcomes the Sphinx by solving the riddle that the beastly bully asks of all travelers to and from Thebes. The Sphinx requests the identity of a life form that moves on fours in the morning of youth, on twos in the afternoon of adulthood, and on threes in the evening of old age. Only Oedipus knows that the answer is the man who crawls as an infant, strides when mature, and needs a walking stick in old age.
What seems to be Tiresias' philosophical attitude in 'Oedipus Rex' and 'Antigone'?
That mortals must respect the gods and obey divinely expressed will seems to be Teiresias' philosophical attitude in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, Teiresias as the long-lived advisor to all of Thebes' kings since that city's founding makes not attempt to change his circumstances or those of others. He draws on a vast storehouse of past, present and future knowledge through his own intelligence and astute interpretation of divine will through ritual sacrifices. But he sits on what he knows unless and until he is sent for by the currently reigning Theban king. For example, he knows of Oedipus' true identity and does not share until his presence is requested and specific questions are posed. Also, he knows that Polyneices is denied his god-given rights to a below-ground burial and funerary rites, but makes not attempt to stop Creon from issuing his non-burial law or to help Antigone in burying her brother.
denouement
Where is it stated 'I say thou art the murderer of the man' in 'Oedipus Rex'?
It is during the interaction between Oedipus and Teiresias that the latter says "I say thou art the murderer of the man" in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, Theban King Oedipus asks Teiresias the blind prophet for help in identifying and punishing the guilty in the unsolved murder of King Laius. But Teiresias uncharacteristically hesitates in sharing his insights. He finally reveals that Oedipus is the very murderer that all Thebes and all the gods seek.
