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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 lines represent both the climax and the anagnorisis in 'Oedipus Rex'?
"Woe! woe! woe! woe! all cometh clear at last." (1225)
"Woe!woe!woe!woe! all cometh clear at last."(1225)
What are examples of hyperbole in 'Oedipus Rex'?
That the pestilence empties Thebes is an example of hyperbole in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, the term hyperbole describes an overstatement that is not meant to be taken literally even though it is meant to convey a truth. The above mentioned statement is made by the priest of Zeus in the prologue. He seeks to emphasize to Theban King Oedipus that the people of Thebes are in real danger from the pestilential effects on children, crops and livestock.
How does Oedipus respond to Laius' murder clues in 'Oedipus Rex'?
It is conscientiously that Oedipus responds to Laius' murder clues 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. The case is old, and information is difficult to come by. But Oedipus diligently follows up on every lead no matter how uncomfortable for him and his role model life of personal happiness and professional success.
What precipitates the climax in 'Oedipus Rex'?
Theban King Oedipus is asked by his brother-in-law and uncle Creon, 'Didst thou wed my sister?' This question precipitates the climax, which is the great turning point in a drama. The play's climax is Oedipus' deciding that Creon needs to die. That's the great turning point, because previously Creon, Jocasta, and Oedipus have been friends. With Creon's question and Oedipus' decision, the two become enemies. The enmity will benefit only Creon, who takes over the throne of Thebes. It will destroy Jocasta, who commits suicide; and Oedipus, who loses his job, blinds himself, and goes into beggarly exile.
How does Antigone represent youth?
Antigone represents youth in her idealism, her passion, and her selflessness. She thinks that she can defend her beliefs and live without compromise. She doesn't realize that life in the real world is a seesaw balance between the individual's dreams and the society's demands. Antigone also thinks that righteousness makes right. She doesn't realize that the most successful changes often are made slowly. Neither does she realize that irritating insects may be trapped more easily and readily by sugar than by honey. Her intensely passionate belief in the rightness of her cause leads her to not mince words. In so doing, she insults her sister, Ismene. And she disrespects her uncle and future father-in-law, Theban King Creon. She demands respect for her actions and beliefs, but doesn't return the respect to others. Additionally, Antigone has all the ardent selflessness of youth caught up in life and living. Her heart bleeds for those whom she loves and against whom she witnesses injustice. She has none of the cautious trappings of the older and wiser who thnk beyond their own generation.
== == * A mother complex (really nothing wrong with it) is women who mother other people besides their own children (or they may not have children.) They are "just there" for people, are kind, understanding, perhaps rush around and cook up good meals when a person or persons are around. When I met my husband and was dating him we would go water-skiing on weekends with a group of 12 other people. After water-skiing we would come back to my then boyfriend's house and his mother would cook up a huge meal (out of thin air) of roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. 16 people sat around that large farm-like kitchen table and ate a delicious dinner and we laughed and cajoled with each other and that house was filled with warmth and love. I considered myself lucky and thought of her as my 2nd mom. She treated all of those 12 people as good as she treated my husband and his other 4 siblings. We all loved her for it and it was easy to nickname her "mom." Don't consider a mother complex a bad thing. If one is a mother to someone other than her own children she should also respect they are individuals and just be there when that person needs them, but other than that give wise advice and push the person to stand on their own two feet and grow. Doing everything for your own children or other people and not letting them grow is smothering and holding that person back. * Another Side To A Mother Complex: If someone is frequently inclined towards mothering, then that person most likely has a "positive mother complex", which was formed in response to the relationship she had with her own mother. Before understanding what a mother complex is, one must understand what a complex is. Every person has both a mother and a father complex, and each can be negative or positive. As a person grows up, every experience with his or her mother or father, whether positive or negative, is "stored" in association with the image of the parent. In other words, somewhere in the unconscious mind there is an image of the mother and father, and depending on the early experiences of the parents, those images will each be "surrounded" by a collection of positive and negative emotional charges. If a female has a positive experience overall with her mother, then her inner mother image will be surrounded by mostly positive emotional charges. Such a woman would then have a positive mother complex and would most likely be comfortable with mothering.
How do you summarize the conversation between Oedipus and the chorus leader in 'Oedipus Rex'?
That it is better for him not to have been born and known by anyone and if he lived to die rather than be blind is a way of summarizing the conversation between Oedipus the chorus leader in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, the chorus leader meets disgraced Theban King Oedipus stumbling outside the palace. He says that he wishes that Oedipus never had been born or that he had died as his parents planned. He states that Oedipus never should have chosen blind exile over immediate death.
How old is Antigone when she dies?
Antigone may be no more than 15 years old when she dies. But that's just a guess. The play 'Antigone' in fact gives no information as to the age of the main character of the same name. But in ancient Greece, betrothal arrangements tended to be made in the childhood, if not the infancy, of the future bride and groom.
Who is the author of 'Oedipus Rex'?
Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.) is the author of the play "Oedipus Rex."
Specifically, the original title of the play is "Oedipus Tyrannus." The play is better known under its Latin title, "Oedipus Rex." The Latin title is translated directly and literally into English as "Oedipus the King."
What is the bird flight in 'Oedipus Rex'?
That it is the swooping flight of death is what the bird flight is in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, the flight of birds is mentioned in the parados when the chorus members make their first onstage appearance, just after Theban King Oedipus' opening interaction with the priest of Zeus and then with his brother-in-law and royal colleague Creon. It is referenced about half way through the ode. It serves as a metaphor of newly born children dying because of the pestilence in Thebes.
What is the plea in 'Oedipus Rex'?
Help in ending the pestilence and in finding the guilty in Laius' death are the pleas in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, the priest of Zeus and the Theban suppliants ask for help in ending the pestilence in Thebes. Theban King Oedipus hears how to end the pestilence. He therefore issues a plea for help in tracking down the guilty in King Laius' murder.
How does Creon show he is guilty of pride?
He realizes that everyone is dying that is close to him and they have shown that it was his fault for not listening.
What are examples of metaphors in Oedipus the king?
There are a lot of ship metaphors used in Oedipus. The first one is that the city is like a ship on bloody waves. Another one is the ship (city) has lost control and Oedipus must take control of the steering like he had before.
How does Oedipus interpret Jocasta's sudden exit in 'Oedipus Rex'?
That she is a snob is the way in which Oedipus interprets Jocasta's sudden exit in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, Theban King Oedipus discovers that he is the adopted or biological son of his presumed parents, Corinthian monarchs Polybus and Merope. He then finds out that his birthplace is within the Theban not the Corinthian royal household. Oedipus observes that his presumed humble birth to a palace servant offends his wife Queen Jocasta, who undoubtedly leaves because she likes to put on airs about her noble and royal ancestry.
What does Oedipus do to Teiresias in 'Oedipus Rex'?
Bully, insult, malign and reject is what Oedipus does to Teiresias in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, Theban King Oedipus bullies Teiresias into saying what only serves to upset him and his quick temper. He insults Teiresias by calling him a criminal, a fake and a liar. He rejects what Teiresias says and dismisses him unceremoniously. He sustains his anger by maligning Teiresias to the chorus leader, Creon, and Jocasta.
What happens when Oedipus arrives at Colonus in 'Oedipus at Colonus'?
That he recognizes it as his place of death is what happens when Oedipus arrives at Colonus in "Oedipus at Colonus" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, Oedipus arrives at Colonus just outside Athens. He attempts to rest in a grove that is sacred to the Furies of fate. Area residents make an effort to shoo away the disgraced Theban king. But Oedipus recalls the one positive part of a three part prophecy: he will die a special death in a place sacred to the Furies, his death will bring luck to the area and its people.
How does Antigone justify breaking the law?
In the play 'Antigone', the main character of the same name breaks a recent law. The law forbids burial rights to disloyal Theban dead. This law thereby violates the prior, enduring laws by which the gods expect Thebans to lead life and make ready for death. Specifically, the divine laws guarantee the honor of proper burial to all Thebans. And that becomes Antigone's justification for her civil disobedience. She must choose between obeying god-given Theban traditions or her uncle's royal decrees. She opts for good standing with the gods over good standing with mortals.
Why does Antigone bring her sister Ismene outside the palace in the opening moments of the play?
to tell her about her plan to bury her brother
What are some quotes from 'Antigone'?
Quotes from the play 'Antigone' may serve to remind readers of the plot, to generate discussion. One such early example is the observation by the main character of the same name that '...I owe a longer allegiance to the dead than to the living: in that world I shall abide for ever'. Another is Ismene's characterization of her sister Antigone as 'Thou hast a hot heart for chilling deeds'. Still another is Ismene's warning, 'A hopeless quest should not be made at all'. And the chorus has the concluding advice of 'Nothing that is vast enters into the life of mortals without a curse' and of 'Wisdom is the supreme part of hapiness... . Great words of prideful men are ever punished with great blows, and, in old age, teach the chastened to be wise'.
What has he decided to do with the sisters?
Creon decided to sentence Antigone to death, but let Ismene free because she was not guilty.
What does Oedipus announce to the Theban people in 'Oedipus Rex'?
That he will find out how to end the pestilence and that he will identify and punish the guilty in the murder ofTheban King Laius are the announcements that Oedipus makes to the Theban people in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, Theban children are born dead or die soon after birth, crops are failing, and livestock are ailing. Oedipus announces that Creon, his brother-in-law and royal colleague, is consulting with the Apolline oracle as to the pestilence's cause and solution. He then announces that in compliance with that oracle, he will solve the mysterious murder of King Laius, punish the guilty and thereby end the pestilence.
Why does Oedipus begin to doubt himself in 'Oedipus Rex'?
That he may be Laius' killer is the reason why Oedipus begins to doubt himself in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, Theban King Oedipus can end the pestilence in Thebes by finding and punishing the guilty in King Laius' murder. But every bit of information that he gathers ends up pointing at him as the main suspect. For example, Teiresias the blind prophet identifies Oedipus as the killer. Queen Jocasta, Oedipus' wife and Laius' widow, indicates that Laius' death place is the Delphi-Daulia intersection in Phocis. That is exactly where Oedipus commits a similar crime against a similar person at about the same time.
What is the origin of Oedipus' name in 'Oedipus Rex'?
The permanently swollen nature of his feet is what gives Oedipus his name in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, a rod is run through Oedipus' ankles when he is just three days old. The rod subsequently is removed, but leaves aftereffects. Permanently swollen feet and shuffling gait are among the consequences, of which the former is the actual meaning of the name Oedipus.
