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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
Why did Sophocles write 'Oedipus Rex'?
There is no surviving written record by Sophocles (c. 496 B.C.E.* - c. 406 B.C.E.) as to why he wrote the play "Oedipus Rex."
But one educated guess may be the playwright's known competitiveness. Aeschylus (c. 525/524 B.C.E. - c. 456/455 B.C.E.) had gotten a lot of respect with his Theban cycle of plays that culminated with "Seven Against Thebes." So why could Sophocles not do likewise?
Another may be the author's commitment to filling a gap in the available literature on Theban history, legend and mythology. Fellow playwright Aeschylus wrote of Thebes in terms of the myth of the cursed Oedipus and of his descent from the cursed house of Labdacus. But Aeschylus' writings were not comprehensive. They did not tell the complete story of the full horrors of the cursed descendants of that divinely descended and troubled house.
Still another may be Sophocles' awareness of the popularity of the topic. Two subjects of interest to the play going public were always Thebes and Troy.
Yet another may be his attraction to the range ofthemes that the Oedipus story allows. For example, the story raises the question of how much one really knows about others, oneself and one's bloodline. It raises another question about the responsibility of the individual for the unknowing committing of heinous, repugnant crimes.
*Before the Christian/Common Era
How is Oedipus heroic in 'Oedipus Rex'?
That he does great deeds and is the main character are reasons why Oedipus is heroic in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, a hero does great deeds, holds great powers and is the main character. Oedipus does the great deed of defeating the Sphinx. He is the main character who affects the course of all events and around whom all action centers in the play.
How are Antigone Eteocles Ismene Polyneices and Creon related?
Antigone and Ismene are the sisters of the twin brothers Eteocles and Polneices. All four are the children of Theban King Oedipus, and both the children and grandchildren of Theban Queen Jocasta. All four also are the nieces and nephews, and grand nieces and grand nephews, of Theban King Creon, who is Jocasta's brother. All five are descended from Cadmus, the founder and first Theban king.
Theban King Labdacus is Theban King Oedipus' paternal grandfather. Labdacus' son is Theban King Laius, and his daughter-in-law is Theban Queen Jocasta. Jocasta and her brother, Theban King Creon, are the children of Menoeceus. Both Labdacus and Menoeceus are descendants of Cadmus, the founder and first king of Thebes. So those who occupy the throne of Thebes are closely related.
What is the function of Choragos in the third scene of 'Antigone'?
The Choragos is the leader of the chorus. His function in the third scene is to show the good points in the views of both Theban King Creon and Prince Haemon. But at the end, his function also becomes that of pointing out that Creon loses his son's support
What happens in the ancient Greek tale of Oedipus Rex?
Oedipus kills his father and marries his mother.
By which title is 'Oedipus Rex' also known?
"Oedipus Tyrannus" and "Oedipus the King" are two titles by which the play "Oedipus Rex" also is known.
Specifically, "Oedipus Tyrannus" is the play's original title by ancient Greek playwright Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.). "Oedipus Rex" is the title that is given to the Latin translation of the original Greek play. "Oedipus the King" is the title to the English translation.
What are Jocasta's characteristics in 'Oedipus Rex'?
Conciliatory, escapist and organized are Jocasta's characteristics in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, Theban Queen Jocasta demonstrates her conciliatory character when she tries to end the angry fight between her brother Creon and her second husband Oedipus. She exhibits her escapist character when she arranges to have her infant killed but does not make sure that the dreadful deed in fact is done by her most trusted servant. She also expressed her escapism when she tries to stop Oedipus' murder investigation even though its course is inevitable and divinely ordained. But throughout, she manifests an organized personality that knows how to prioritize and to go straight to heart of matters when need be.
How does the messenger affect the plot in 'Oedipus Rex'?
That he complicates it is the way in which the messenger affects the plot in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, the Corinthian messenger announces the death of Theban King Oedipus' presumed father, Corinthian King Polybus. But he then describes Polybus as Oedipus' adoptive or foster father. The latter comment makes the plot thicken because Oedipus is trying to figure out whether or not he is his father's killer. Now Oedipus needs to figure out who his real father is.
I'm going to assume you mean how did Oedipus become king. He became king by solving the riddle of the Sphinx, who asked the riddle "What walks on four legs in the morning, two in the afternoon and, three at night." The correct answer is "man".
Hamartia is a fatal flaw in a character, usually a hero/heroine. An example of hamartia would be Othello's jealousy in the Shakespearean play Othello.
Why is character foil used in 'Oedipus Rex'?
It is to emphasize character traits and world views that character foil is used in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, character foils are opposites in terms of personalities. For example, Creon interacts as the cautious foil to Theban King Oedipus' volatile personality of emotional outbursts and quick reflexes. Teiresias the blind prophet interacts as the wisely fatalistic foil to Oedipus' panic stricken choices of desperate free will.
How does Oedipus respond to what Teiresias told him in 'Oedipus Rex'?
Denial, insults and threats are the ways in which Oedipus responds to what Teiresias tells him in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, Teiresias the blind prophet says that Theban King Oedipus is the killer of King Laius. Oedipus denies killing a person whom he never remembers meeting and who already is dead when Oedipus arrives in Thebes. He charges Teiresias with conspiring with Creon to grab all the royal powers for themselves. He adds a number of insults and threats throughout the declining spiral of their interaction.
When does Oedipus learn about his prophecy?
Oedipus learns about his prophecy when he visits the Oracle of Delphi after a plague strikes Thebes. The Oracle reveals that he is destined to kill his father and marry his mother. This revelation sets him on a quest to uncover the truth about his origins, ultimately leading to his tragic fate. Throughout the play, his attempts to avoid this prophecy only bring it to fruition.
What argument does jocasta use to persuade Oedipus to ignore the sooth sayers or oracles?
Jocasta attempts to persuade Oedipus to disregard the prophecies and soothsayers by citing examples from her own experience, specifically the prophecy that her son would kill his father and marry her. She argues that such predictions are unreliable, as their past outcomes were proven false when her first husband, King Laius, was killed by strangers at a crossroads instead of by their son. Jocasta emphasizes that the gods can be deceptive, suggesting that Oedipus should focus on the present rather than fear the uncertain future foretold by oracles.
Why is it ironic that Oedipus curses Laius's murderer?
It is ironic that Oedipus curses Laius's murderer because he is unknowingly cursing himself. Oedipus, in his quest to rid Thebes of the plague caused by Laius's death, does not realize that he is the very person he seeks to punish. His determination to find and punish the culprit ultimately leads to his own tragic discovery and downfall. This dramatic irony underscores the themes of fate and self-discovery in the play.
What are the reason of Oedipus downfall?
Oedipus's downfall is primarily attributed to his tragic flaws, particularly his hubris and determination to defy fate. Despite his intelligence and noble intentions, he seeks to uncover the truth about his origins, ultimately leading to the revelation that he has unwittingly killed his father and married his mother. This realization not only fulfills the prophecy he sought to avoid but also results in his immense personal suffering and the collapse of his reign. Additionally, his refusal to heed warnings and his impulsive nature contribute significantly to his tragic fate.
