The Prologue (Kristine) In [[#|Thebes]], the civilians are in the midst of catastrophe. "...The city is filled with with the smell of incense, all around filled with the sound of hymns and groans" (11) and people are desperately searching for salvation. Incense is lit to cover the smell of something putrid and the inhabitants of Thebes are crying out to be relieved from the havoc being wreaked on their city. "...It is badly shaken... from the waves [and] can no longer lift her head... there is death in the pasturing herds and even in the childless births of women" (12). All the people of Thebes have come to Oedipus and expect him to be able to deliver them from the distress of their city because once before, Oedipus had released them from the tribute they were required to pay to the Sphinx (a monster who only disappeared when its riddles were answered). By doing this, Oedipus had "the greatest eyes of all" (12).
Oedipus sent Creon, his brother-in-law, to Apollo's home in Pytho. Pytho is the most famous oracle, or holy place, in the Greco-Roman world. He sent Creon there "... so that he may [[#|earn]] what [Oedipus] should do or say to save this city" (13). Upon his return, Creon brings the message that in order to end the suffering plaguing Thebes, they need to drive away the cause of it: murder.
Parados (Cristian) In Parados 1 the chorus is trying to call upon the gods in order to help the city from the horrific plague. With the wisdom and knowledge of the god and goddesses, the chorus believes that they would be able to help the ruler of Thebes restore peace. The separation of two different choruses allows Sophocles to manipulate two different voices in order to introduce many different opinions that are going on in Thebes. Without this, Sophocles would be able to lead the reader to the truth or purposely lead them to false in order to make the truth ironic or just more tragic. (still need to add quotes)
Scene 1 ( Vani)
In the first scene of the play it shows Oedipus inviting Tiresias over to his palace to discuss how to rid the city of death and pollution. Though Oedipus seeked for Tiresias's advice on how to save the city, Tiresias told Oedipus that he would not help him even though he knows how to help the city. After Tiresias said he would not help Oedipus, Oedipus begins to become frustrated by Tiresias actions. After Oedipus disrespects Tiresias, Tiresias accuses Oedipus for causing the pollution in the city. Tiresias tells Oedipus that before he fixes the city he must fix his problems first. During the entire conversation between Oedipus and Tiresias, Oedipus feels as if he is being accused unfairly and that Tiresias is not as wise as he is suppose to be.
This scene helps support the motif of sight verses blind because Oedipus accuses Tiresias for being unwise since he is blind, when Tiresias argues that since he is blind it makes him more wiser. Tiresias's argument is that since he is blind he is unaffected from what everyone sees and has more of logical explanation for things. On the other hand, Oedipus believes that since Tiresias is blind he is unwise and is not more knowledgeable than him. Oedipus believes that people that can see have a more realistic image of the world.
Tiresias has been in literature like:
Mikhail Ianpolski wrote a book called The Memory of Tiresias: Intertextuality and Film.
There is a poem that is called Tiresias by Alfred Lord Tennyson.
In the play Oedipus Rex the chorus represents towns people that are reacting to what is happening in the story. The chorus is suppose to help the audience know what to feel when something happens during the play. Also the chorus has the role of talking about the gods and giving an overall setting to the story. In ode 1 the chorus discusses how Oedipus can save the city and what would he do to save it. The chorus also talks about how the town is in suspense wanting to know who the killer is and how is Oedipus going to solve the problem. The chorus also includes how the gods are going to help them during their time of need and if the prophecy would come true or not.
Oedipus Vs Creon
By: Hector Cardenas
At this point, we all know that Oedipus has a temper after his argument with Tiresias. And now as one argument has ended another one has begun, but this time it is between Oedipus and his brother-in-law, Creon. Oedipus immediately begins to question him about the murder of Laius as if he was a suspect. In response, Creon calls him a "madman" and stubborn for saying these false accusations and reassures him he would never commit such a violent [[#|crime]]. After all, Creon has just as much power as his Brother-in-law, Oedipus. To finally get Oedipus off his back, Creon says he is "no lover of such schemes" and "nor would [he] ever support it even if another did the deed" (31). Perhaps, this argument would have continued if it was not for the chorus breaking it up as Jocasta was approaching them.
Creon (left) and Oedipus (right)
The Prophecy of Oedipus
by. Adam Vatai
As Most (hopefully all) of you you know, the whole play: Oedipus Rex is about fate, and one of the most important themes of the play touches on this , "You Cannot escape your fate". However what really seals his fate and what really throws Oedipus's life out of balance is the prophecy that Jocasta tells him. She tells him that that there was a man who was destined to kill his father, the king Laius This normally would not upset Oedipus, because come on, his father was obviously Polybus and he lives all the way in Corinth; however, Jocasta tells Oedipus that Laius was killed at a place where 3 roads meet, sadly for this tragic hero we find out that Oedipus indeed killed a man where three roads met, and all Oedipus could do now is hope that it was not him. The Three crossroads also has a very symbolic value, The three roads represent the Past, the Present, and the Future, it is also associated with the goddess Hecate who is coincidentally the goddess of crossroads (Wikipedia).
Hecate
King Laius
Oedipus' Slim Ray of Hope
by. Sebastian Bedoya
Oedipus' situation may seem clear by now; however, our friend still thinks that he might not have been the killer of Laius. He holds on the words of his wife Jocasta for hope. She stated that a group of bandits attacked the king and his men. Oedipus, being the smart and clever man he is, realizes that he is not a many men but in fact, one person. He says the there is no way one man could have killed the king and his men so it could not have been him. With this piece of information giving him hope, him and Jocasta send for the one slave the escaped the murdering of king Laius. they hope that he will close the case of whether Oedipus killed Laius or not.
Ode 2
By: Hector Cardenas, Sebastian Bedoya and Adam Vatai
The second Ode of Oedipus Rex has been revered and has stumped many scholars because it is the hardest part to interpret in the entire play. By reading the last four lines of Ode 2, one can get the gist of the entire Ode. To sum it up the last four lines talk about how the city is polluted and that the only way that the Thebians can be saved is if they find the perpetrator and make him "[retreat] from [his] impious acts". The citizens became impatient at the gods and eventually lost most of their faith in them. This leads to the Thebians declaring that they will never worship at a shrine ever again, unless the gods make these events clear to them (ex. the struggle between wealthy and poor, the plague, the murderer). This also ties into the main theme of the play; a belief in the gods and in fate. the Thebians are symbolic of the greeks at the time and how they are starting to lose a strong faith in gods or fate.
Scene 3 & Ode 3: Hamartia, A Messenger, and Swollen Feet:
By Heather Rubin, Sarin Itty, and Miranda Machado
Oedipus' Hamartia:
Hubris:
By: Miranda Machado
It is in fact very true that Oedipus is extremely proud of himself and his position; however, it can be argued that this excessive pride led him to commit many negative actions. Being more superior than almost everyone else, his ego made it really easy for people to offend him. It caused him to ignore and alienate people that were actually trying to help him understand his place in this world, for he did not know anything about himself.
Anger:
By: Heather Rubin
Although it is evident that Oedipus did have quite frequent temper tantrums, his anger was expressed more as ranting than as the cause of his hamartia. For example, the time when he accused Creon of trying to overthrow him, his argument for this did not include much basis. He simply accused him out of his own anger and frustration. Because this anger only came out of irrational thoughts, it could have been the least probable to lead Oedipus to his tragic flaw. The chorus even mentioned that "...it came out quickly and pushed out of anger, not from rational thoughts" (13).
Determination:
By: Sarin Itty
Even though Oedipus made many tragic mistakes through his anger and hubris, his main hamartia was his consistant persistence and determination. Yes, his pride and anger caused him to commit the actual crime; however, his persistence to find the murderer of Laius was what led to everyone knowing. Even though he receives many warnings, even from his wife Joscasta, Oedipus continued his tragic hunt. If Oedipus had not tried to connect the pieces together, no one would have knew.Oedipus continues to work toward his tragic fate by his own sheer determination. This is why his hamartia is so tragic. He himself unlocked the terrible truths of his life. Oedipus's Reaction to the Messenger:
By: Miranda Machado
The Messenger from Cornith arrives to bring new to Oedipus stating that his father, Polybus, is dead. At first, Oedipus is relieved because earlier there was a prophecy regarding that his father would die and the blood would be on his hands. This is the whole why he moved away from his parents in the first place. Since his father died from a normal cause and not due to Oedipus's hands, Oedipus thinks that he escaped his fate. However, the Messenger later mentions that the rulers of Cornith are not his true parents and that he was taken as a gift and adopted. Now, Oedipus's fear and worry kicks in. This means that his father is still out there, and the prophecy may be true. Also, Oedipus becomes even more determined to find the secret of his "mysterious birth."
Jocasta's Reaction to the Messenger:
By: Heather Rubin Jocasta was not surprised by the “news” brought by the messenger because “of course, [she] has realized the truth” (48). She realized that she was the mother and Oedipus had indeed killed him own father. Oedipus, however, still did not realize this truth. Jocasta wished for Oedipus to “never know who [he is]” (48). She wished this upon him because he was impatient, as she had already mentioned “It [would] all end in vain” (48). She refused to tell Oedipus the truth of his fate.
Significance of Swollen Feet:
By: Sarin Itty
When Oedipus had been abandoned by his family, he was left with his ankles "literally" pinned together. Currently, he still has reminders of this event because of the scars on his feet.This "swollen feet" idea is significant because when someone's feet is swollen, it is impossible for them to physically move. Likewise, Oedipus's feet are symbolically bound and swollen. Although he tries to, Oedipus cannot seem to escape his fate. This relates to the theme of the tragic play which centers around the concept of fate. All things are determined beforehand. One cannot escape fate, only accept fate. Everything was put in place from the moment Oedipus was born.
Scene 4, Ode 4, and Exodus: Tragedy, Poetics, and a Whole Bunch of Crazy Terms
By: Jhoy Saca, Sebastian Huidobro, Olivia Nembhard, Maria Camila Puerta
From the Peripeteia to the Anagnorisis
In Oedipus Rex, the peripeteia occurs in scene three. When the messanger informs Oedipus of Polybus, who he thought was his father's death. At first, Oedipus is relieved that his fahter had not died by his own hand but was "destroyed by disease" instead; however, this feeeling does not last very long (44). The peripeteia takes place when Oedipus is told that Polybus was not really his father and the messanger himself was give Oedipus tied at the ankles as a baby.
By, Olivia Nembhard
By:Maria Camila Puerta
In the Anagnorisis, Oedipus realizes that he, unintentionally, fulfilled his prophecy. A prophecy he was trying to run away from and turned out facing it faster the day he decided to go to Thebes. Having been given away as a baby, grown up with a different family and thinking it was his real he left to Thebes to avoid the prophecy; however, after finding out that was not his biological family, he also found out he killed his father and married his mother just like the prophecy stated. This then led to the great suffering of Oedipus and his family.
By: Sebastian Huidobro
Sigmund Freud was a doctor that created psychoanalysis for treating people with psychopathology. Oedipal Complex was when an individual started developing hatred towards their father and love their mother. Sigmund Freud chose this name wisely because it is based on the background and the cursed prophecy towards Oedipus.
A picture of Sigmund freud
The Catastrophe By Jhoy Saca
The catastrophe was how Oedipus's realization that his prophecy had been real and he had made it true. He had married to his mom and felt pain inside of him that he no longer wanted to see what he had done. His mom/wife had committed suicide which made Oedipus feel depressed and made him think that he had killed his parents and fulfilled his prophecy. When he stabbed his eyes he also had said that he should be banished and that they should separate his children from him so they would never be ashamed of what his parents had done.
In [[#|Thebes]], the civilians are in the midst of catastrophe. "...The city is filled with with the smell of incense, all around filled with the sound of hymns and groans" (11) and people are desperately searching for salvation. Incense is lit to cover the smell of something putrid and the inhabitants of Thebes are crying out to be relieved from the havoc being wreaked on their city. "...It is badly shaken... from the waves [and] can no longer lift her head... there is death in the pasturing herds and even in the childless births of women" (12). All the people of Thebes have come to Oedipus and expect him to be able to deliver them from the distress of their city because once before, Oedipus had released them from the tribute they were required to pay to the Sphinx (a monster who only disappeared when its riddles were answered). By doing this, Oedipus had "the greatest eyes of all" (12).
Oedipus sent Creon, his brother-in-law, to Apollo's home in Pytho. Pytho is the most famous oracle, or holy place, in the Greco-Roman world. He sent Creon there "... so that he may [[#|earn]] what [Oedipus] should do or say to save this city" (13). Upon his return, Creon brings the message that in order to end the suffering plaguing Thebes, they need to drive away the cause of it: murder.
Parados (Cristian)
In Parados 1 the chorus is trying to call upon the gods in order to help the city from the horrific plague. With the wisdom and knowledge of the god and goddesses, the chorus believes that they would be able to help the ruler of Thebes restore peace. The separation of two different choruses allows Sophocles to manipulate two different voices in order to introduce many different opinions that are going on in Thebes. Without this, Sophocles would be able to lead the reader to the truth or purposely lead them to false in order to make the truth ironic or just more tragic. (still need to add quotes)
Scene 1 ( Vani)
In the first scene of the play it shows Oedipus inviting Tiresias over to his palace to discuss how to rid the city of death and pollution. Though Oedipus seeked for Tiresias's advice on how to save the city, Tiresias told Oedipus that he would not help him even though he knows how to help the city. After Tiresias said he would not help Oedipus, Oedipus begins to become frustrated by Tiresias actions. After Oedipus disrespects Tiresias, Tiresias accuses Oedipus for causing the pollution in the city. Tiresias tells Oedipus that before he fixes the city he must fix his problems first. During the entire conversation between Oedipus and Tiresias, Oedipus feels as if he is being accused unfairly and that Tiresias is not as wise as he is suppose to be.
This scene helps support the motif of sight verses blind because Oedipus accuses Tiresias for being unwise since he is blind, when Tiresias argues that since he is blind it makes him more wiser. Tiresias's argument is that since he is blind he is unaffected from what everyone sees and has more of logical explanation for things. On the other hand, Oedipus believes that since Tiresias is blind he is unwise and is not more knowledgeable than him. Oedipus believes that people that can see have a more realistic image of the world.
Tiresias has been in literature like:
Mikhail Ianpolski wrote a book called The Memory of Tiresias: Intertextuality and Film.
There is a poem that is called Tiresias by Alfred Lord Tennyson.
Ode 1 (Vani )
In the play Oedipus Rex the chorus represents towns people that are reacting to what is happening in the story. The chorus is suppose to help the audience know what to feel when something happens during the play. Also the chorus has the role of talking about the gods and giving an overall setting to the story. In ode 1 the chorus discusses how Oedipus can save the city and what would he do to save it. The chorus also talks about how the town is in suspense wanting to know who the killer is and how is Oedipus going to solve the problem. The chorus also includes how the gods are going to help them during their time of need and if the prophecy would come true or not.
Oedipus Vs Creon
By: Hector Cardenas
At this point, we all know that Oedipus has a temper after his argument with Tiresias. And now as one argument has ended another one has begun, but this time it is between Oedipus and his brother-in-law, Creon. Oedipus immediately begins to question him about the murder of Laius as if he was a suspect. In response, Creon calls him a "madman" and stubborn for saying these false accusations and reassures him he would never commit such a violent [[#|crime]]. After all, Creon has just as much power as his Brother-in-law, Oedipus. To finally get Oedipus off his back, Creon says he is "no lover of such schemes" and "nor would [he] ever support it even if another did the deed" (31). Perhaps, this argument would have continued if it was not for the chorus breaking it up as Jocasta was approaching them.
The Prophecy of Oedipus
by. Adam VataiAs Most (hopefully all) of you you know, the whole play: Oedipus Rex is about fate, and one of the most important themes of the play touches on this , "You Cannot escape your fate". However what really seals his fate and what really throws Oedipus's life out of balance is the prophecy that Jocasta tells him. She tells him that that there was a man who was destined to kill his father, the king Laius This normally would not upset Oedipus, because come on, his father was obviously Polybus and he lives all the way in Corinth; however, Jocasta tells Oedipus that Laius was killed at a place where 3 roads meet, sadly for this tragic hero we find out that Oedipus indeed killed a man where three roads met, and all Oedipus could do now is hope that it was not him. The Three crossroads also has a very symbolic value, The three roads represent the Past, the Present, and the Future, it is also associated with the goddess Hecate who is coincidentally the goddess of crossroads (Wikipedia).
Oedipus' Slim Ray of Hope
by. Sebastian BedoyaOedipus' situation may seem clear by now; however, our friend still thinks that he might not have been the killer of Laius. He holds on the words of his wife Jocasta for hope. She stated that a group of bandits attacked the king and his men. Oedipus, being the smart and clever man he is, realizes that he is not a many men but in fact, one person. He says the there is no way one man could have killed the king and his men so it could not have been him. With this piece of information giving him hope, him and Jocasta send for the one slave the escaped the murdering of king Laius. they hope that he will close the case of whether Oedipus killed Laius or not.
Ode 2
By: Hector Cardenas, Sebastian Bedoya and Adam VataiThe second Ode of Oedipus Rex has been revered and has stumped many scholars because it is the hardest part to interpret in the entire play. By reading the last four lines of Ode 2, one can get the gist of the entire Ode. To sum it up the last four lines talk about how the city is polluted and that the only way that the Thebians can be saved is if they find the perpetrator and make him "[retreat] from [his] impious acts". The citizens became impatient at the gods and eventually lost most of their faith in them. This leads to the Thebians declaring that they will never worship at a shrine ever again, unless the gods make these events clear to them (ex. the struggle between wealthy and poor, the plague, the murderer). This also ties into the main theme of the play; a belief in the gods and in fate. the Thebians are symbolic of the greeks at the time and how they are starting to lose a strong faith in gods or fate.
Scene 3 & Ode 3: Hamartia, A Messenger, and Swollen Feet:
By Heather Rubin, Sarin Itty, and Miranda MachadoOedipus' Hamartia:
Hubris:By: Miranda Machado
It is in fact very true that Oedipus is extremely proud of himself and his position; however, it can be argued that this excessive pride led him to commit many negative actions. Being more superior than almost everyone else, his ego made it really easy for people to offend him. It caused him to ignore and alienate people that were actually trying to help him understand his place in this world, for he did not know anything about himself.
Anger:
By: Heather Rubin
Although it is evident that Oedipus did have quite frequent temper tantrums, his anger was expressed more as ranting than as the cause of his hamartia. For example, the time when he accused Creon of trying to overthrow him, his argument for this did not include much basis. He simply accused him out of his own anger and frustration. Because this anger only came out of irrational thoughts, it could have been the least probable to lead Oedipus to his tragic flaw. The chorus even mentioned that "...it came out quickly and pushed out of anger, not from rational thoughts" (13).
Determination:
By: Sarin Itty
Even though Oedipus made many tragic mistakes through his anger and hubris, his main hamartia was his consistant persistence and determination. Yes, his pride and anger caused him to commit the actual crime; however, his persistence to find the murderer of Laius was what led to everyone knowing. Even though he receives many warnings, even from his wife Joscasta, Oedipus continued his tragic hunt. If Oedipus had not tried to connect the pieces together, no one would have knew.Oedipus continues to work toward his tragic fate by his own sheer determination. This is why his hamartia is so tragic. He himself unlocked the terrible truths of his life.
Oedipus's Reaction to the Messenger:
By: Miranda Machado
The Messenger from Cornith arrives to bring new to Oedipus stating that his father, Polybus, is dead. At first, Oedipus is relieved because earlier there was a prophecy regarding that his father would die and the blood would be on his hands. This is the whole why he moved away from his parents in the first place. Since his father died from a normal cause and not due to Oedipus's hands, Oedipus thinks that he escaped his fate. However, the Messenger later mentions that the rulers of Cornith are not his true parents and that he was taken as a gift and adopted. Now, Oedipus's fear and worry kicks in. This means that his father is still out there, and the prophecy may be true. Also, Oedipus becomes even more determined to find the secret of his "mysterious birth."
Jocasta's Reaction to the Messenger:
By: Heather Rubin
Jocasta was not surprised by the “news” brought by the messenger because “of course, [she] has realized the truth” (48). She realized that she was the mother and Oedipus had indeed killed him own father. Oedipus, however, still did not realize this truth. Jocasta wished for Oedipus to “never know who [he is]” (48). She wished this upon him because he was impatient, as she had already mentioned “It [would] all end in vain” (48). She refused to tell Oedipus the truth of his fate.
Significance of Swollen Feet:
By: Sarin Itty
When Oedipus had been abandoned by his family, he was left with his ankles "literally" pinned together. Currently, he still has reminders of this event because of the scars on his feet.This "swollen feet" idea is significant because when someone's feet is swollen, it is impossible for them to physically move. Likewise, Oedipus's feet are symbolically bound and swollen. Although he tries to, Oedipus cannot seem to escape his fate. This relates to the theme of the tragic play which centers around the concept of fate. All things are determined beforehand. One cannot escape fate, only accept fate. Everything was put in place from the moment Oedipus was born.
Scene 4, Ode 4, and Exodus: Tragedy, Poetics, and a Whole Bunch of Crazy Terms
By: Jhoy Saca, Sebastian Huidobro, Olivia Nembhard, Maria Camila Puerta
From the Peripeteia to the Anagnorisis
In Oedipus Rex, the peripeteia occurs in scene three. When the messanger informs Oedipus of Polybus, who he thought was his father's death. At first, Oedipus is relieved that his fahter had not died by his own hand but was "destroyed by disease" instead; however, this feeeling does not last very long (44). The peripeteia takes place when Oedipus is told that Polybus was not really his father and the messanger himself was give Oedipus tied at the ankles as a baby.
By, Olivia Nembhard
By:Maria Camila Puerta
In the Anagnorisis, Oedipus realizes that he, unintentionally, fulfilled his prophecy. A prophecy he was trying to run away from and turned out facing it faster the day he decided to go to Thebes. Having been given away as a baby, grown up with a different family and thinking it was his real he left to Thebes to avoid the prophecy; however, after finding out that was not his biological family, he also found out he killed his father and married his mother just like the prophecy stated. This then led to the great suffering of Oedipus and his family.
By: Sebastian Huidobro
Sigmund Freud was a doctor that created psychoanalysis for treating people with psychopathology. Oedipal Complex was when an individual started developing hatred towards their father and love their mother. Sigmund Freud chose this name wisely because it is based on the background and the cursed prophecy towards Oedipus.
A picture of Sigmund freud
The Catastrophe
By Jhoy Saca
The catastrophe was how Oedipus's realization that his prophecy had been real and he had made it true. He had married to his mom and felt pain inside of him that he no longer wanted to see what he had done. His mom/wife had committed suicide which made Oedipus feel depressed and made him think that he had killed his parents and fulfilled his prophecy. When he stabbed his eyes he also had said that he should be banished and that they should separate his children from him so they would never be ashamed of what his parents had done.