Oedipus the King Sophocles Sophocles Born presumably in
Oedipus the King Sophocles
Sophocles Born presumably in the first few years after 500 BCE. � Born in Colonos, near Athens and was a citizen of Athens. � � � Wrote Oedipus the King around 430 BCE. � � Significance: Athens was the cultural and artistic hub of Greece at the time. Perspective: Odyssey was 200 -300 years before; Metamorphoses was 400 years after Presumed to have died around 406 BCE. � Lived through almost an entire century, including both the Persian and Peloponnesian Wars. � As Athens rose to and fell from prominence. Wrote approximately 123 plays during his career, but only 7 survived the centuries of war, political tumult, and bureaucratic accident. � Frequent winner of Dionysian drama contests; numbers vary, but considered the elite playwright and dramaturge of his time �
Sophocles the Dramatist � Hallmark: � Plot: intricate, but easy to follow � � Complexity, Complexity Lots of parts, but is clear and linear (standard structure) Characters: rich, distinct, psychologically and socially realized Round, not flat � Static or Dynamic? � Setting: standard for Greek plays, minimal, rarely changing, “courtly” concerns � Dialogue: triangulated, limited “speeches” � � � Chorus: reduced role, more as commentators than elaborators � � First playwright to add three characters on stage at a time Function: Tragedy: consider personal interaction with surroundings, especially society � Ethical Ends through downfall truth/lesson/growth considered by audience, not “realized” for the characters Solutions/Ethical Ends do not occur in the play, but they should affect the audience as it goes forth
Greek Drama � Dionysian Festivals: Dionysus � Culture of Festival/Competition � Function of Plays was to challenge the audience � Chorus: � �A Play in 5 Parts � Part 1: Prologue � Exposition � � Chorus’s Prologue � Part 3: Episodia moments of debate that heighten play’s themes and advance the action Function: � Function in Sophocles’ Drama: Sets: � Deus ex Machina: � Gesture: Interpretation of � Episodes: � Original � Part 2: Parodos � Part 4: Stasimon � Chorus’ episode � response to Part 5: Exodus � Last part of the play; final words
Greek Tragedy � Review: Aristotelian Tragedy � Extraordinary Characters: “great” men/women � � Downfall: � � Circumstance or Error, Frailty, Flaw Reversal: � � Reasoning: If they can fall, anyone can… Extraordinary Circumstances: happiness to sorrow Recognition: � � � Reasoning: downfall must be a lesson to all who witness it Response: � Companion Terms � Character: sorrow and pain Audience: warning and empathy Dramatic Irony (Tragic Irony) Arete: � � � Denoument, moment of disaster Catharsis � � Moment of discovery/recognition Catastrophe � � Reversal of fortunes Anagnorisis � � Fatal flaw leading to downfall Peripeteia � � Acting against one’s best judgment Hamartia � � Excellence of any kind Acrasia � Public, not Private Events � � Releasing of strong emotion to provide relief Hubris � Extreme arrogance to point of downfall
The Oedipus Cycle � Sophocles’ most famous work are part of a trilogy (now believed to be a tetralogy with one missing work). � The “trilogy” is often referred to as the Oedipus Cycle, the Theban Plays, or simply Oedipus. � Part 1: Oedipus the King � Part 2: Oedipus at Colonus � Part 3: Antigone
Oedipus the King: The Legend � Background: � An oracle prophesizes to Laius and Jocasta, the king and queen of Thebes, that their son will kill his father and marry his mother. � � Plan infanticide to avoid this fate: pierce and bind his feet and give the disposal/murder duty to a servant After an ethical crisis, the servant leaves the baby on a mountain rather than kill it by hand; a shepherd saves the baby and gives him to the childless King of Corinth Oedipus, meaning “swollen foot, ” is raised as the Prince of Corinth Adult Oedipus hears another prophecy that he will kill his father and marry his mother, so he decides to leave Corinth to avoid his fate � � On the road, he has a traffic accident and kills the other man, who turns out to be Laius. Later, he heroically solves the Riddle of the Sphinx, which lifts a curse from Thebes. Riddle of the Sphinx: What walks on four legs in the morning, two in the afternoon, and three in the evening? � � Answer: Man (crawling as a baby, walking as an adult, using a cane when elderly) He is rewarded with the crown and marriage to the widowed queen, who is his mother. Gross. Beginning of Oedipus the King: � � Thebes is several years into Oedipus and Jocasta’s prosperous reign, but a new plague has arrived. This new crisis will set up Oedipus on a journey for truth, justice, and renewed prosperity.
Oedipus the King: Major Themes � Primary � Concern of Sophocles: Fate v. Free Will (Human Behavior/Response) � Fate: divine plan or prescribed order of things, external circumstance � Human Behavior/Response: cannot overcome fate or divine will of gods, but shapes the surrounding world Tragedy conveys ethical ends through destruction/downfalls � Other Learning from mistakes is for the audience, not the characters Major Themes: Power and Politics � Religion and Fidelity � Family Dynamics � Social Anxiety � Response to Crisis � Free Will � Action and Consequence � Leadership �
Oedipus the King: Dramatis Personae Oedipus: king of Thebes � A Priest of Zeus � Creon, brother of Jocasta, brother-in-law to Oedipus � Chorus of Theban citizens � � Leader Tiresias, blind prophet/oracle � Jocasta, queen of Thebes, wife of Oedipus � � Laius, first king of Thebes, first husband of Jocasta Messenger 1 from Corinth � Shepherd � Messenger 2 from palace of Thebes � Antigone and Ismene, princesses of Thebes, daughters of Oedipus and Jocasta � Guards/Attendants � Priests of Thebes �
Prologue (ln 1 -168) � Oedipus’ Opening Speech: (ln 1 -15) � Who is Oedipus? � � Overtones: What does he explicitly say about himself? Subtext: What does he imply about himself? � The Priest’s Speech: (ln 16 -68) � Setting and Context: � � � What is happening in Thebes? To whom do the people turn? Character Development: � What does the priest reveal about Oedipus the King and/or Oedipus the Man? � � What do his words/gesture reveal about who he really is? What do his words/gestures about who he wants his audience to see him as? Relation to Ethical Ends: What does the priest ask of Oedipus? How does he encourage the King to action? Oedipus’ Response: (ln 69 -89) � Rising to the Challenge: � � � What is Oedipus’ response? How does he respond? What is the deeper implication of his response?
Prologue (ln 1 -168) � Creon’s Arrival: (ln 90 -106) How does Oedipus react to his arrival? � Why does Creon hesitate to deliver the news? How does Oedipus respond to his hesitation? � � Implications: � The Prophecy: Introduction of Conflict (Agon) (ln 107164) � How does Creon deliver the news? � Implications: � What is the problem that plagues Thebes? What is the solution to the problem? � Implications: � How does Oedipus initially respond to Creon’s story? What is his resolution at the end of the whole story? � Implications: � The � Priest’s Conclusion: (ln 165 -168) How does the priest contradict himself?
Parodos (line 169 -244) � Function � How � Major of Parodos: does it work in this section? Themes: � Tones: � Moods: � Ethical Ends:
Episode 1 (ln 245 -526) � Opening 314) � First Promise: (ln 248 -261) � Second Promise: (ln 262 -5) � Audience: � Content: � Implication: � Significance: Audience: � Content: � Implications: � Significance: � Third Promise(s): (ln 266279) Audience: � Content: � Implication: � Significance: � Fourth Promise(s): (ln 280 -7) � Implications: � � � First Remarks: (ln 245 -7) � � Speech: (ln 245 - Resolution: (ln 288 -306) Content: � Implication: � Significance: � Prayer to Gods: (ln 307 -315) Content: � Implication: � Significance: �
Episode 1 (ln 245 -526) � Exchange � Leader’s First Remarks: (ln 315 -18) � � with the Leader: (ln 315 -337) What is the tone/mood implied by the Leader’s first sentence? What does this tell us about the tone/mood of Oedipus’ speech and his leadership style? Leader’s Proposal and Oedipus’ Response: (ln 323 -337) What does the Leader say about fear, and how does Oedipus correct him? Why are they both correct in this instance? � How does Oedipus contradict his earlier comments about the killer? � � Arrival � of Tiresias: (ln 338 -362) Oedipus’ First Remarks: (340 -358) What does Oedipus unconsciously imply about himself when he says “Tiresias can sense the suffering of his city, even through his blindness”? � What does Oedipus ask of Tiresias? Why is this problematic? � � Tiresias’ Rejection: (ln 359 -396) Based on what he says, why does Tiresias decide to remain silent? � Knowing what we know, why does Tiresias say “it’s better” to hide the truth (and continue the plague)? � How does Oedipus respond to Tiresias’ silence? Why is he offended by Tiresias’ refusal? Why is this response and offense ironic? � Is Oedipus wrong to accuse Tiresias of betrayal and treason? �
Episode 1 (ln 245 -526) � The Prophecy of Tiresias: (ln 398 -432) � � � Oedipus’ Post-Prophecy Speech: (ln 433 -459) � � What lessons or ideas does Tiresias attempt to teach Oedipus? What are some major ethical ends Sophocles presents to his audience through Tiresias? What is the intended effect of Tiresias acting as the speaker of these lessons? Or, why does Sophocles have Tiresias deliver these ethical ends? The Tension!: (ln 490 -505) � � Who does Oedipus blame for Tiresias’ prophecy? Why is his conclusion troubling? What does this tell us about Oedipus the king? What are the tones and emotions of his speech? What does this tell us about Oedipus the man? Tiresias’ Responding Speech: (ln 464 -489) � � What does Tiresias prophesize? How does he communicate this fate to Oedipus? How does Oedipus react? How does the tone of his reaction relate to the tone of Tiresias’ statements? How do their respective tones relate to the tragic elements of the play? Why is Oedipus insulted by Tiresias’ comments? Why does Tiresias make them? What is the problem(s) created by their exchange? Tiresias’ Closing Remarks (ln 506 -526) � � What are Tiresias’ final words? What is the tone of this delivery? Who is his intended audience? Why is this shift in audience significant (for the characters and the play’s audience)?
Stasimon 1 (ln 527 -573) � What does the Chorus initially hope for from Oedipus? What does the Chorus then indicate about Oedipus’ quest? � How does this shift introduce, relate to, expand upon the play’s major themes and ethical ends? � What does the Chorus say about Tiresias and his prophecy? � How do these comments introduce, relate to, expand upon the play’s major themes and ethical ends? � How does the Chorus conclude its song? What final truths or conclusions does the Chorus enforce in the final stanza? � How do these comments introduce, relate to, expand upon the play’s major themes and ethical ends?
Episode 2 (ln 573 -953) � Creon’s First Speech: (ln 573 -92) Why is he concerned? How does his response (or lack thereof) pose some problems? � How does the leader respond? What is implied in his statement to not “judge the ones in power”? � � Oedipus’ � Why does Oedipus suspect/accuse Creon? How is he justified and unjustified? � What � Condemnation: (ln 593 -690) does this instance tell us about Oedipus? How does Creon react? How does he respond to/counter Oedipus’ accusations in tone and content? � According to Creon, why would it be irrational for him to betray Oedipus for the motive of power or the crown? How does he potentially indict himself while also explain his innocence? � What larger ethical end/advice does Creon give to Oedipus (and the audience)?
Episode 2 (ln 573 -953) � The King Hath Spoken!: (693 -750) � How does Oedipus respond to Creon’s argument(s)? What does this response indicate about Oedipus? � � What is Jocasta’s role in the Creon-Oedipus debate? � � � Significance: What punishment does Oedipus decide? Why? Significance? � � Significance: What is the Chorus’ role in the Creon-Oedipus debate? � � Why is he so insistent on his decision? What drives him to this “lighter” penalty? The Chorus supports Oedipus over Creon. Why? King and Queen, Husband Wife, Son and Mother: (ln 767 -846) � � Why does Oedipus cut off his first response to Jocasta? What piece of information does Jocasta give to Oedipus that unknowingly indicates his guilt? How does Oedipus react to the key revelation? Who does the story and the “truth” now depend on? Significance?
Episode 2 (ln 573 -953) � Oedipus’ Resolution: (ln 847 -923) � Origin Story: � � The Confession: � � Question of his birth: Who raised it? How did Oedipus react? What did his parents say in response to his follow up? Leaving Corinth: According to Oedipus, why did he leave? How does this begin to explain his reactions to Tiresias and Creon? How does this match with the origin story Sophocles’ audience already knew? When does Oedipus resolve to leave Corinth for good? What does this tell us about Oedipus the man? How does Oedipus “confess” to the crime? How the nature of his confession consistent with the man we’ve come to know in the play? What realizations and conclusions does he draw about himself in the confession? How does Oedipus plan to solve the problem? Significance? Jocasta’s Reaction: (ln 931 -953) � � What is Jocasta’s reaction to Oedipus’ confession, speech, and request for the witness? Why does Jocasta not believe the prophecy even after the confession? What does this reaction indicate about her and her role in the whole affair?
Stasimon 2 and Stasimon 3: Major Themes Stasimon 2 (954 -997) Stasimon 3 (1312 -1351) � What major themes are introduced? � How do these themes relate to the previous episode? � How will these themes play out in the next episode/rest of the play?
Episode 3, Part 1 (ln 998 -1214) � According to Jocasta’s opening remarks, how has Oedipus changed (or not changed) from the end of Episode 2? � Why are Jocasta and Oedipus celebratory at the start of the scene? What does Oedipus say about prophecy? What does Jocasta say about prophecy? Why are they both wrong? � Why does Oedipus still harbor some fear of the original prophecy? � � How does Oedipus react to the Messenger’s additional information about Polybus and Merope? What is the Messenger’s claim about his relationship to Polybus (and Oedipus’ relationship to Polybus)? How does Oedipus respond? � Who is the Messenger, and what special knowledge does he have? � � How does Jocasta react to the Messenger’s information about Oedipus’ parents?
Episode 3, Part 2 (1215 -1310) � The Shepherd arrives. � Why does the Shepherd resist Oedipus’ request for information? How does Oedipus ultimately coerce the truth from the Shepherd? � What does this tell us about Oedipus the King and his leadership? � Why did the Shepherd accept the child from Jocasta? � What is the larger point here? � What is the irony of Oedipus accepting the Shepherd’s story as “true, ” when has resisted all other information thus far? � What is the larger point here?
Episode 3 and Episode 4 Episode 3, Part I (ln 998 -1214) Episode 3, Part II (ln 1215 -1310) � Fear � Democracy � Source � Truth � Labor � Love � Obligation: of Truth Personal Social � Identity: Merit or Birth, Nature or Nurture � Knowledge � Gaining Knowledge: Means affect the ends? � Class/Status � Empathy
Exodus (ln 1352 -1685) � Messenger’s Arrival (ln 1352 -1363) What is the function of having the Messenger and the Leader share the first exchange of Exodus? � What does the Messenger say about Thebes and the source of its pains? How does this fit with the play’s overarching ethical ends? � �A � Message Most Foul (ln 1364 -1422) Jocasta: Emotions: � Action(s): � Significance: � � Oedipus: Emotions: � Action(s): � Significance: � � Concluding Remarks: (ln 1416 -22) � � Ethical End(s): Why does the Messenger share this news of Oedipus and Jocasta?
Exodus (ln 1352 -1685) �A New Oedipus (ln 1430 -1481) Why do the Messenger and the Chorus first comment on Oedipus’ appearance and behavior? What is the effect of their narration? � How does Oedipus describe himself in his first lines of the scene? What is the significance of his new identity? � According to Oedipus, who is responsible for his current fate? � According to Oedipus, why is he blind? � �A Shift in Focus (ln 1481 -1550) According to Oedipus, who is to blame for his current fate? � How does Oedipus respond to the Chorus’ comments about blindness and death? What does his response reveal about his character? � What does Oedipus want from the gods and people of Thebes? What is promising and/or problematic about his comments? �
Exodus (ln 1352 -1685) � Oedipus and Creon (ln 1551 -1662) How does Creon first receive Oedipus? Why is this reaction both positive and negative? � What does Creon ask of Oedipus, and how does Oedipus react? How is this reaction both positive and negative? � Who does Oedipus request to “see”? How does Creon respond? What does this indicate about each character? � What is Oedipus’ advice for Creon? What is his advice to his children? � � The Final Exchange (ln 1663 -1678) Why does Creon agree to send Oedipus into exile? � How does Oedipus respond when his desire is granted? � What is Creon’s final comments to Oedipus? � � Denoument � (ln 1679 -1685) What is the purpose of the Chorus’ concluding remarks?
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