The Three Themes of Oedipus Rex - 1106 Words

The Three Themes of Oedipus Rex The contrast between trust in the gods oracles and trust in intelligence and pride plays out in Oedipus Rex. Of course, the irony is, that Oedipuss and the oracles’ methods both lead to the same fallout. Oedipuss hunt for truth reveals just that, and the truth confirms the oracles prophecies. Oedipus kills his father and marries his mother. The irony is that the reader knows this from the very start of this Greek drama. There is also irony in the fact that Oedipus is the one to solve the riddle of the Sphinx, which he embodies in every way, from a crawling baby to an old man with a cane. Oedipus’s life is just a pit of tragedy. Aristotle states, that to arouse emotions such as fear and pity, is to bring about catharsis. This is the aim of a great tragedy. The three themes of the novel Oedipus Rex; Aristotle’s study, the riddle of the Sphinx, and dramatic irony help to enhance the value of knowledge that is bestowed upon the reader, these themes create an awareness and an understanding of what leads to the tragic ending of this meritorious Greek tragedy. Tragedy is compared to metrical forms such as epic and comedy. In Aristotle’s famous study of Greek dramatic art he determines that tragedy, like all poetry, is a imitation, but claims that it has a serious purpose. Tragedies use direct action rather than narrative to achieve its ends (Jones 84). The serious purpose of the novel is to reveal the error in judgement. OedipusShow MoreRelatedThe Value Of Leadership In Oedipus Rex By Sophocles1326 Words   |  6 PagesBased on evidence, Athenians valued bravery, confidence and heroic strength in their leaders. For example, the entire reason Oedipus from Oedipus Rex by Sophocles became king of Thebes is because he defeated the Sphinx that was guarding the city, saving the citizens (info from the backstory). On page 11, a senator makes the comment, â€Å"if his bosom holds a grain of fear, curs es like yours he never will abide.† The reader can assume the Athenians valued bravery because the senator makes a comment againstRead MoreTragedy In Oedipus Rex And Antigone By Euripides784 Words   |  4 PagesThe three Greek plays compared in this paper are the famously known Greek tragedies; Oedipus Rex and Antigone by Sophocles and Medea by Euripides that not only have the common genre of tragedy, but share the same motifs; homicide, suicide, and suffering. What is intriguing about these commonalities is that these playwrights, Sophocles and Euripides, use them. Homicide is an act when a human permanently harms another leading in death and these plays like to use it quite a bit. In Oedipus Rex, byRead MoreOedipus The King, Fate And Destiny1201 Words   |  5 PagesSophocles is the author of the famous play, â€Å"Oedipus the King†. In case you did not know, Sophocles is from Greece. In Greek mythology there are three goddesses who preside over the birth and life of humans. Each person s destiny was thought of as a thread spun, measured, and cut by the three Fates, Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos. In the story â€Å"Oedipus the King† fate and destiny was the main theme. On Google the definition of destiny is the events that will necessarily happen to a particular personRead MoreOedipus As A Tragic Hero1445 Words   |  6 PagesAlthough not all who wander or deviate from the path are lost, some clearly are. When Oedipus, the eponymous character of Sophocles’ tragedy Oedipus Rex, first learns that he is destined to kill h is father and marry his mother, he abandons his home intent on never returning in order to avoid meeting his fate. Unbeknownst to the tragic hero, before the curtain’s rise, the prophecy has already been fulfilled. Consequently, due to the underlying corruption in Thebes, the people are perishing of a plagueRead MoreOedipus Rex Literary Synthesis1483 Words   |  6 Pages2012 The Tragic Destiny of Oedipus Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex is one of the most well- known tragic plays in existence. Oedipus, the King of Thebes, is the victim of a curse in which he must suffer the tragedy of his own unchangeable fate. The tragic heroism of Oedipus befalls him because of his heroic qualities and his loyalty to his Thebans and to himself. His unchangeable destiny affects so many others throughout the play. These others’ subsequent suffering that Oedipus brings upon them helps contributeRead More Blindness, Sight and Eyes in Sophocles Oedipus The King Essay682 Words   |  3 PagesThe Deeper Meaning of Sight and Eyes in Sophocles Oedipus The King In Sophocles play, Oedipus The King, the continuous references to eyes and sight possess a much deeper meaning than the literal message. These allusions are united with several basic underlying themes. The story contains common Ancient Greek philosophies, including those of Plato and Parmenides, which are often discussed and explained during such references. A third notion is the punishment of those who violate the law ofRead MoreDiscuss The Importance Of Oracles To Oedipus Rex1620 Words   |  7 Pages1. Discuss the importance of oracles to the ancient Greeks and specifically, to Oedipus Rex. Include a consideration about whether human actions are the result of predestination (Fate/Destiny) or free will. What does Sophocles seem to believe on this issue? After reading the passage throughly, I feel that for the ancient Greeks fate was an important aspect to their daily lives it shaped and formed human life. Fate has evolved during the years mainly because for the Greeks it was seen somethingRead More tragoed The Changing Tragedy of Oedipus Rex, Hamlet, and Desire under the Elms879 Words   |  4 Pages The Changing Tragedy of Oedipus Rex, Hamlet, and Desire under the Elms nbsp; Tragedy can easily be considered the greatest of all genres due to the fact that it has withstood the test of time. Formally, tragedy employs something more complex than other genres. It is not part of a life full of happy endings. It is part of a bigger system of things. It is part of who we are. Perhaps tragedy is simply the art that truly imitates life.gt; Historically speaking, the great rises of tragedyRead More Destiny, Fate, Free Will and Free Choice in Oedipus the King - Power of Prophecy1000 Words   |  4 PagesThe Power of Fate in Oedipus Rex (the King) The underlying theme in Oedipus Rex is that fate is more powerful than free will. On this strong basis of fate, free will doesnt even exist. This was a popular belief among the ancient Greeks.   Fate may be accepted or denied by modern society, but in Oedipuss story, fate proves inevitable. In the play, Oedipus Rex, the characters Oedipus, Iocaste and Laios try to change fate.    In the very beginning of the story, before we hear from theRead MoreThe True Vision of Blindness in Oedipus Rex by Sophocles Essay959 Words   |  4 Pagesthey are blind to it. In Oedipus Rex by Sophocles it is easy to see how blindness affects the transition of the story. It is said that blind people see â€Å"in a different manner† because they sense the world in a totally diferent way, such as Teiresias in the play. Oedipus Rex is a tragedy due to the content the Sophocles, the playwright, decided to include, first, murdering his father, king Laius, then marrying his mother, Jocasta, and ending by blinding himself. Oedipus has been blinded to the truth