Oedipus Rex

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Oedipus Rex

• by Sophocles

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Sophocles

• 496 406 B. C.
• Grew up in Colonus, near where former King
  Oedipus was (allegedly) buried

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• Sophocles was the second of three great ancient
  Greek tragedians
• preceded by Aeschylus
• followed by or contemporary to Euripides
• For almost 50 years he was the dominant
  competitor in the dramatic competitions of
  ancient Athens

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• Sophocles influenced the development of the drama
• adding a third character and thereby reducing the
  importance of the chorus in the presentation of
  the plot
• developed his characters to a greater extent than
  earlier playwrights
• Used female characters

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• Only seven of his 123 plays have survived into
  modern times with their text completely known.
• The most famous of these are the three tragedies
  concerning Oedipus and Antigone these are often
  known as the Theban plays or The Oedipus Cycle
• were not originally written or performed as a
  single trilogy

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Structure of Greek Drama

1. Prologue Spoken by one or two characters before
   the chorus appears. The prologue usually gives
   the mythological background necessary for
   understanding the events of the play.
2. Parados This is the song sung by the chorus as
   it first enters the orchestra and dances.

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1. First Episode This is the first of many
   "episodes", when the characters and chorus talk.
2. Choral ode At the end of each episode, the
   other characters usually leave the stage and the
   chorus dances and sings a choral ode. The ode
   usually reflects on the things said and done in
   the episodes, and puts it into some kind of
   larger mythological framework.

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OEDIPUS REX

• INTRODUCTION

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OEDIPUS REX

• The main characters downfall is often due to an
  inborn character flaw or weakness the tragic
  flaw.

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OEDIPUS REX-Prologue

• The city of Thebes is ravaged by plague
• Citizens beg King Oedipus for help

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OEDIPUS REX-Prologue

• Oedipus sends his brother-in-law, Creon, to the
  oracle of Apollo at Delphi.

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OEDIPUS REX-Prologue

• Creon returns and announces that the plague will
  end when the Thebans punish the murderer of the
  their previous king, Laius.

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OEDIPUS REX-Prologue

• Oedipus tries to take the role of savior and vows
  to do everything in his power to apprehend the
  murderer and save his people

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Oedipus Rex Parados p. 10-12

• Theban elders serve as the chorus.
• Prayers to gods for assistance Apollo, Artemis,
  Athena.
• Lists problems that Thebes was suffering from.
• Phoibos Apollo

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Scene I

• Oedipus is trying to get information about the
  murder from the citizens of Thebes.
• They either have no answers or are not telling.
• He tells the Thebans that anyone found to have
  known the murderer will be banished from Thebes

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• Oedipus promises to look for the murderer as
  though he were looking for his own fathers
  killer.
• One of the Thebans suggests calling Teiresias, a
  blind prophet. But Oedipus has already called
  him.
• When Teiresias arrives, he is at first reluctant
  to speak because of what he knows.

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• How dreadful knowledge of truth can be when
  theres no help in truth! (p.17)
• Oedipus pushes Teiresias to talk
• Tereisias What does it matter! Whether I speak
  or not it is bound to come.
• Fate, destiny vs. Free will

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• Oedipus accuses Teiresias of being the murderer.
• Teiresias, sick of Oedipus pushing him reveals
• You yourself are the pollution of this country.
  

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• Oedipus is reluctant to believe Teiresias
• There is no one here who will not curse you
  soon, as you curse me.
• Oedipus mocks Teiresias blindness.
• Oedipus accuses Teiresias and Creon of conspiring
  against him.
• The leader of the Chorus asks Oedipus to calm
  down

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• I say that you, with both your eyes, are blind
• Teiresias only taunts Oedipus further, saying
  that the king does not even know who his parents
  are.
• Oedipus is infuriated, but is confused and
  intrigued.

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• the murderer of Laius will turn out to be
• both brother and father to his children
• both son and husband to his mother
• Theban born, but perceived to be from somewhere
  else

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Choral Ode 1

• The Chorus is confused and unsure whom to believe
  
• They resolve that they will not believe any of
  these accusations against Oedipus unless they are
  shown proof.