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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
What is the connection between hamartia and the worldviews present in 'Oedipus Rex'?
Oedipus's flaws and errors are a major factor in bringing about his downfall, thus supporting the worldview that our own actions control our destiny.
What is the name of Oedipus' wife in 'Oedipus Rex'?
Jocasta is the name of Oedipus' wife in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, Theban King Oedipus is married to the Theban Queen. His wife's name is Jocasta. She is his first and only wife, but Oedipus is Jocasta's second husband.
Who persuades Creon to rescue Antigone in 'Antigone'?
The Chorus leader of the Theban Elders is the person who persuades Theban King Creon to rescue Princess Antigone in the play "Antigone" by ancient Greek playwright Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, Creon hears Teiresias the blind prophet trace the unhealthy environment prevailing in Thebes to the non-burial of the corpse of Polyneices. Creon contradicts and insults Teiresias until the seer suggests that the tragedy of all Thebes will extend to the royal household. But it is after Teiresias leaves that Creon finally asks what to do. It is the Chorus leader who says that Polyneices' body needs to be given a proper Theban burial and that Antigone needs to be released from her prison.
What is Antigone's response to Creon's order?
Antigone responds to the order by her uncle, Theban King Creon, to refuse proper burial procedures to the disloyal Theban dead from the recent battle between Thebes and Argos. Her response isn't one of obedience. For the law contradicts the higher moral authority of the laws on the right of Thebans to be buried. And so Antigone decides to break the law in favor of complying with divine dictates; and of respecting the requirements for passage from life into death and the ties of blood and love. Thus it is that she goes ahead and buries her brother Polyneices, who counts among the disloyal Theban dead.
Why is Oedipus more concerned about his daughters than his son?
All four children were products of incest and as such were looked down upon in society. His sons could do manual labor and get by. But women in Greek times were strictly mothers, wives and what might have been considered homemakers. So the daughters would have to get married but no one would want to marry them because Oedipus is both their dad and their brother.
Who are Ismene and Teiresias and Haemon and Eurydice?
Eurydice, Haemon, Ismene, and Teiresias are characters in the play 'Antigone' by Sophocles [495 B.C.E.* - 406 B.C.E.]. Eurydice is the Queen of Thebes, and the wife of Theban King Creon. Haemon is her son, and the first cousin and fiance of her niece Antigone. Ismene also is her niece, and the sister of Antigone, Eteocles, and Polyneices. Teiresias is the blind prophet whom Theban King Creon consults about the plague that is ravaging the city of Thebes. *Before the Christian Era.
Why does Jocasta beg Oedipus to not ask anymore questions?
because oedipus is a gerendofile, however not knowing it. as he married his mother
Why does Oedipus become so angry with Teiresias in 'Oedipus Rex'?
That what Teiresias says is treasonous and unbelievableis the reason why Oedipus becomes so angry with Teiresias in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, Teiresias the blind prophet accuses Theban King Oedipus of killing King Laius. The charge carries the unenviable punishment of execution or exile. Oedipus does not remember ever meeting his royal predecessor. He is frightened at being framed and at losing the role model life of personal happiness and professional success that is his in Thebes.
What is the last thing that Oedipus sees before he punished himself in 'Oedipus Rex'?
His wife is what Oedipus last sees before he punishes himself in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, Theban King Oedipus finds the body of his wife Queen Jocasta hanging from the threads of her robes. He moves her to the floor. He then removes the brooches that hold her robes together and blinds himself with them.
Does Creon appear to revere Teiresias as their scene together opens?
Theban King Creon appears to revere Teiresias the blind prophet at the beginning of their meeting. But in the course of their interaction, he changes his opinion. Teiresias mentions the failure of one of his sacrifices. He also mentions vultures being seen fighting together. Creon wants personal and professional success. He therefore doesn't like either of Teiresias' statements. So he begins to doubt and then to bully and insult Teiresias.
Who kills his father marries his mother and ends up punished in 'Oedipus Rex'?
It is Oedipus who murders his father, marries his mother and ends up punished for both offenses in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, Oedipus is warned of a prophecy that he will kill his father and marry his mother. He seeks to avoid this horrible fate by running away. But every decision and every deed turn out just bringing him ever closer to the prophecy's unfurling logic. Ultimately, cruel fate and flawed choices wreak such havoc that Oedipus' punishment does not end with widowhood, sightlessness, joblessness, homelessness and friendlessness.
Why does Oedipus call himself an abomination?
Because, as prophesied, he had intimate relations with his mother, although when this happened he did not realize his paramour was his mother. Upon his discovery of this truth he declared himself an abomination.
That Teiresias is involved in the crime is the conclusion that Oedipus jumps to when the prophet refuses to give specific information about the events surrounding Laius' death in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, Theban King Oedipus asks for help in finding the guilty in King Laius' murder. He counts on considerable help from his royal advisor and Thebes' wisest resident, Teiresias the blind prophet. But Teiresias does not want to share. Oedipus interprets this reluctance as Teiresias' involvement as a planner if not a participant in the crime.
What are Oedipus' accomplishments in 'Oedipus Rex'?
Defeating the Sphinx, ending the pestilence and solving Laius' murder are Oedipus' accomplishments in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, Oedipus becomes king of Thebes by defeating the monstrous Sphinx and marrying the city's beautiful widowed queen. He does so by being the only one to answer the Sphinx's riddle of what life form moves on fours in the morning, twos in the afternoon and threes in the evening. Years later, he ends the pestilence by turning himself in as the killer of Laius, his royal predecessor and his wife's first husband.
Whom does Antigone blame for her fate?
Ultimately is the godsthat Antigone blames for her fate in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone does not seem to realize how abrasive and uncontrolled she can be. She seems to think that having correct convictions entitle her to express them in any disrespectful way that she wants to. Her last words validate this stance since she observes that she is dying precisely because she defends divine will and the gods over royal law and rulers.
How old was Sophocles when he wrote 'Oedipus Rex'?
In his sixties is the age at which Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.) wrote "Oedipus Rex."
Specifically, it is not known for sure exactly when the ancient Greek dramatist wrote his play about the life and times of Theban King Oedipus. But it generally is guesstimated as no later than 430 B.C.E. That gives the playwright an age of 65 at the latest.
Oedipus's father was told that Oedipus would kill him, so he sent the boy away at birth. Oedipus knew about the prophecy and that he was from Athens, so when he wanted to visit his homeland, he went to Corinth to avoid killing his father. His father heard that he was coming to Greece and thought that he was coming to kill him, so he went to Corinth. Oedipus attempted the discus in Corinth and killed a man in the crowd (his father). He then went to Athens, fell in love with his mother, married her, found out, and stabbed out his eyes. Alternate version: he met his father at a crossroads, argued, and killed him before going on to Athens.
What is Oedipus' reaction to Tiresias' prophecy?
Oedipus is outraged at Tiresias' prophecy. He thinks Tiresias is lying to him and was "put up" to telling him that by Creon. Oedipus is so furious with Tiresias, that in the process he pushes Tiresias into making another prophecy (more of a premonition) that Oedipus will be blind.
What does the prophet do when Oedipus asks him about the murderer in 'Oedipus Rex'?
A request to go back home, a reluctance to share, and a charge of royal guilt are what the prophet does when Oedipus asks him about the murderer in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, Theban King Oedipus needs to identify and punish the killer of his royal predecessor, Laius. He requests the presence and counsel of Teiresias the blind prophet, advisor to every King of Thebes since the city's founding by Oedipus' ancestor, Cadmus. Teiresias does not appear to know why he is being summoned. When he finds out, Teiresias just wants to go back home since Oedipus is definitely not going to like what he will be told: the guilty person is Oedipus himself.
Why does Oedipus kill Laius in 'Oedipus Rex'?
It is in self-defense that Oedipus kills Laius in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, Theban King Oedipus walks into an intersection from the Delphi side at the same time that a six-member party drives in from the Thebes side. Perhaps the party scorns him because he shuffles and has scarred, swollen feet. At any rate, the charioteer pushes through and jostles Oedipus. Then the carriage's passenger hits Oedipus on the head with a double whip, which is insulting and really really hurts. Oedipus applies his staff to the stranger, who falls down dead in the intersection.
Why does Creon relent in the face of Teiresias' warnings in 'Oedipus Rex'?
That he hears of death taking away members of his own household and fears the hatred of his people are the reasons why Creon relents in regard to Teiresias' warnings in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, the fear that the death and mourning that go around come around makes Creon reverse his non-burial law against the disloyal Theban dead. It also makes him reverse the death penalty for his niece, Theban Princess Antigone. But it is only the fear that he will be left alone and without an heir that finally breaks his uncompromising stance.
Which of the following is not necessarily a character trait for a tragic hero?
Cleverness isn't necessarily a trait of the tragic hero. It's the ability to use to one's benefit a situation in which one finds oneself. The clever individual particularly knows how to emerge from or take advantage of adverse situations. Oftentimes, the tragic hero ends up in a rut from which it's impossible to emerge because of inflexible thought patterns or equally stubborn character traits.
