Oedipus Rex

That their lives are defined by negative experiences is a way of comparing the difficulties faced by Oedipus in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.) and by Bartleby in "Bartleby, the Scrivener" by Herman Melville (August 1, 1819 - September 28, 1891).

Specifically, Oedipus is traumatized by the prophecy that he will kill his father and marry his mother. He makes up his mind that he can outrun fate and outwit the gods. But he moves within a narrow, stubborn range of decisions and actions that allow the Furies of fate and the gods to catch and trip him up.

Likewise, Bartleby is traumatized by his stint in the dead letter office. He makes up his mind that he can achieve personal happiness and professional success in his new position on Wall Street. But fears and memories of his previous existence overwhelm him and send him on a rapidly declining spiral that ends in his death because of his stubbornness.

Whether or not Oedipus is depraved and Whether or not Teiresias wishes to betray Oedipus and destroy Thebes are rhetorical questions that identify two positions or world views in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, a rhetorical question has no expected answer. A world view is an understanding of the environment in terms of a specific viewpoint. The difference between the world views of fate versus free will refers to the way in which an individual can or cannot control the direction in which life moves into inevitable death.

In the second episode or scene, Theban King Oedipus confesses to his murderous crime. He fears that he may be cursed by his own doing if his victim somehow is connected with King Laius, Oedipus' royal predecessor and his wife's first husband. He questions, "Am I not depraved?" He receives no answer and does not seem to expect one. He says that he needs to be exiled, which is his prophesied fate.

Also in the second episode or scene, but as an example of free will, Oedipus asks whether Teiresias the blind prophet wishes to betray him and destroy the city of Thebes. In essence, Oedipus asks if Teiresias plans treason. The answer is obvious in the sense that no one admits treason and receives the humiliating, painful traitor's punishment. Teiresias does not respond. Instead, he maintains that he still will not give the information that his sovereign seeks.

That Laius is killed by robbers in theDelphi-Daulia intersection and on the way to consulting the Delphic oracle are what Jocasta tells Oedipus about Laius' death in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban Queen Jocasta says that Laius, her first husband and Oedipus' royal predecessor, is killed far away from home. He leaves in the company of five escort party members, of whom only one survives a murderous attack by robbers. Laius organizes the trip because he seeks the renowed insights of the Pythia, Apollo the sun god's oracle in Delphi.

Yes, Haemon dies in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban Prince Haemon is engaged to his first cousin, Theban Princess Antigone. She breaks a recently issued Theban law against non-burial of the disloyal Theban dead. The sentence is death, and Antigone ends up killing herself. When Haemon finds Antigone dead, he tries unsuccessfully to kill his father, Theban King Creon, for having sentenced Antigone to death, and then most successfully turns his own sword on himself.

That he will find the guilty in Laius' murder is Oedipus' reaction to Creon's information in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Creon brings back news from the Delphic oracle as to the cause and solution of the pestilence in Thebes. He indicates that the guilty in Theban King Laius' murder must be found and punished by execution or exile. Oedipus promises that it will be done.

End the pestilence is what the priest asks Oedipus to do in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, the priest of Zeus stands outside the main entrance to the Theban royal palace. He is accompanied by suppliants from Thebes. He expresses concern over the ailing livestock, dying babies and failing crops that comes in the wake of a pestilence. He asks Theban King Oedipus to draw upon his own superior qualities and divine favor to end the pestilence.

Dramatic irony is the type of tragic irony in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, dramatic irony describes a situation in which characters misunderstand the significance of their situations and even their own words. The description fits the tragic turn that Theban King Oedipus' life takes. Oedipus has such a mistaken self-image that he receives full punishment for a crime that he commits in ignorance and self-defense.

The provision of musical interludes in the intervals between the scenes of the play is one role of the chorus. The interval is called the 'stasimon'. The scene is called an 'episode'. The provision of a commentary on what happens in the play is another chorus role. So the roles come down to education and entertainment.

The chorus conforms to society by making sure that it meets the expectations of the audience. That audience is drawn from segments of ancient Greek society. The ancient Greek audience expects to find a certain length and meter in the choral odes. They expect to hear the chorus singing and see the chorus dancing in first one direction and then the opposite. They expect to understand the play's backgroundand course of events through the choral commentaries. They expect to witness the transmission of legends and myths that reconcile the actions of mortals with the will of the gods.

The news of the death of his presumed father and an invitation to occupy the throne is the message that Oedipus receives from Corinth in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, a messenger tells Theban Queen Jocasta and then her second husband, King Oedipus, of the death of Corinthian King Polybus. Polybus is presumed to be Oedipus' father. Oedipus therefore is informed of the death and offered the crown and throne of Corinth since he is the only child and heir apparent of the Corinthian royal couple.

That the guilty in Laius' murder must be found and punished is the message that Creon brings back to Thebes in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Creon consults with the Delphic oracle as to how to end the pestilence in Thebes. He finds out that Thebans and Thebes are polluted by the unsolved murder of King Laius, Creon's brother-in-law and royal predecessor. He also learns that the guilty must be punished by execution or exile.

Yes, Oedipus is a good man in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Oedipus hears a fate that horrifies and repels him. He makes the decision not to stand idly by and let it happen. He moves away from a presumed dangerous home environment in Corinth to presumed safety in Thebes. Until the last day of his kingship, he spends his time building up a happy home life and a successful royal practice.

That he will execute or exile him is what Oedipus says that he will do to Laius' killer in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, the Delphic oracle advises that the pestilence in Thebes will end only with the identification and punishment by execution or exile of Laius' killer. Theban King Oedipus is Laius' royal successor. It therefore is his responsibility to find the guilty and then apply one of the two punishments defined by the gods.

That it in essence supports the status quo is the reason why "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.) may be called more conservative than progressive.

Specifically, the term conservative describes keeping going something that already is in effect. The term progressive describes considering more recent and updated options. The first description fits the play, which explains the fateful divine viewpoint and essentially shows weaknesses in a free will explanation of human existence.

Oedipus' true identity is what Teiresias knows and Oedipus does not in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban King Oedipus believes that he is the son of Corinthian monarchs, the killer of an arrogant bully, the husband of the eligible widowed queen of Thebes, and the father of four children. But he is mistaken. Teiresias the blind prophet knows that Oedipus is the killer of his father King Laius, the husband of his mother Queen Jocasta, and the half-sibling of his four children.

Royal describes Oedipus' powers in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Oedipus is raised in the Corinthian royal household. He is trained to become the successor of his presumed father, Corinthian King Polybus. But he rules as king of Thebes through his marriage to the city's widowed Queen Jocasta.

It is in blinding himself and accepting the blame for hisself-mutilation that Oedipus recognizes responsibility in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban King Oedipus blinds himself when he sees his personal and professional lives for what they are, as a criminal and an immoralist. He explains that but for one deed Apollo and his prophecies are to blame for the misdeeds of family life and royal rule. He in fact takes responsibility only for his self-inflicted blindness.

A way of ending the pestilence is what Oedipus hopes to gain by sending his wife's brother to pray to the Delphic oracle in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Oedipus knows of the pestilence that afflicts all Thebes. It does not affect the royal household. But Oedipus cares about his people. He therefore asks Creon, his brother-in-law and royal colleague, to seek the advice of the Pythia, the Delphic oracle.

Sending Creon to consult the Delphic oracle is the step that Oedipus already takes to deal with the problem in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban King Oedipus does not know what causes or solves the pestilence in Thebes. He is a caring, proactive ruler. So he sends his brother-in-law and royal colleague Creon to find out what the highly respected Delphic oracle has to say.