Oedipus Rex by Sophocles Sophocles 496 406 B

Oedipus Rex by Sophocles

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

• 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

• 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

• Only seven of his 123 plays have survived into modern times with their text completely known. • The most famous of these are 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

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.

3. First Episode: This is the first of many "episodes", when the characters and chorus talk. 4. 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.

OEDIPUS REX INTRODUCTION

OEDIPUS REX • The main character’s downfall is often due to an inborn character flaw or weakness – the tragic flaw

OEDIPUS REX-Prologue • The city of Thebes is ravaged by plague • Citizens beg King Oedipus for help

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

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

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

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

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

• Oedipus promises to look for the murderer as though he were looking for his own father’s 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.

• “How dreadful knowledge of truth can be when there’s 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

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

• 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

• “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.

• 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

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.