Symbolism in Oedipus BY JAMARI HARRISON KEYONNA ANDERSON

Symbolism in Oedipus BY: JAMARI HARRISON, KEYONNA ANDERSON, ZANE RAMIREZ, SIRI JOIS, KELLY COLLINGS, SAVANNAH KUCHAR

“A symbol is an object, action, or event that represents something or that creates a range of associations beyond itself. In Oedipus what are the symbol(s) that express an idea, clarify meaning, or enlarge literal meaning. Analyzing how those symbol(s) function in the play and what it reveals about the characters or; themes of the work as a whole. ”

Literal Meaning of Prompt What symbols in Oedipus express an idea or emphasize a literal meaning? ● Oedipus refuses to believe Tiresias or see the evidence right in front of him; instead he tries to blame the murder on everyone else. Oedipus is “blind” to the truth. ○ Evidence: “It is to his death that Apollo’s command clearly refers. We must punish those who killed him whoever they may be” (Sophocles 7). ○ “For whoever killed Laius might decide to raise his hand against me. So, acting on behalf of Laius, I benefit myself, too” (Sophocles 10). ● These all show that Oedipus is blind to the truth that he killed his own father.

Figurative Language: Situation Archetype “The Fall” ● Oedipus’ archetype fall is what defines him as a tragic hero ● Oedipus’ fall symbolizes the corruption of leaders and how their downfall has unintended consequences on their society ○ the people of Thebes ultimately lose their king and their queen ● Oedipus begins at the top of society with the throne, a wife, and children. But his past ● decisions cause him to fall from grace and affect his family, his people, and himself. “And now – is there a man whose story is more pitiful? His life is lived in merciless calamity and pain – a complete reversal from his happy state” (Sophocles 90).

Figurative language: dramatic irony ● Jocasta revealing that her son was fated to kill his father ○ Audience knows that Oedipus will kill his father but Oedipus does not ○ Jocasta also does not know that Oedipus is her son so she does not realize either. ● “It said that Laius was fated to die by the hand of his son, a son to be born to him and to me” (Sophocles 50).

Symbol: Eyes ● Eyes are a symbol used throughout the story to represent the truth and ignorance. In the story, a character’s physical ability to see actually meant they were blind to the truth. ○ The blind prophet is the only one who can see the whole truth ○ Once Oedipus does finally learn the truth, he scratches his eyes out because he wishes he had never seen the light ● Oedipus begins the story with functioning eyes but blind to the truth, and at the end, he has seen the light of truth but lost his ability to see. ● “He ripped out the golden pins … and speared the pupils of his eyes. ‘You will not see, ’ he said, ‘the horrors I have suffered and done. Be dark forever now – eyes that saw those you should never have seen, and failed to recognize those you longed to see’” (Sophocles 93).

Symbol: Oedipus’ Swollen Ankles ● Laius and Jocasta are told that their son will murder his father and marry his mother, so they ● gave Oedipus to be cast away. Laius pierced and bound his feet/ankles ○ Oedipus name translates to “swollen foot” ● Oedipus’ swollen ankles symbolizes Oedipus’ entrapment (he was confined at birth and continued to be confined by Apollo’s prophecy) ○ The scars on his feet are not only a visible symbol of the prophecy but a visible symbol that he is destined for destruction and has been since infancy. ● He can not detour his fate. ● “As for the son−three days after his birth Laius fastened his ankles together and had him castaway on the pathless mountains” (Sophocles 50).

Symbol: crossroads ● Oedipus killed King Laius at a triple crossroad. ○ Typically, crossroads symbolize a choice to be made ○ Oedipus's choice has already been made for him , and so the triple crossroads becomes a symbol not of choice but of fate. ● “As I journey on I came near to this triple crossroad and I was met by a herald and a man riding a horse-drawn wagon” (Sophocles 56).

Significant Moment ● “A prophet? In that case, rid your mind of your fear, and listen to me… There is no human being born that is endowed with prophetic power” (Sophocles 50). ● Jocasta tells Oedipus that the prophecy is truly discredited and to not trust in the words of the oracle ● This is ironic because she believes that she has avoided her fate, but she doesn’t know that Oedipus killed Laius and she is actually married to her son. ● She is less inclined to believe in the prophecy because she says that whatever happens occurs by chance through a series of unforeseen events, it’s not the fulfillment of fate.

AP Prompt 2003: Select a tragic figure that functions as an instrument of the suffering of others “Oedipus Rex. ” Discuss and explain how the suffering brought upon by the tragic figure contributes to the tragic vision as a whole. Oedipus is an instrument of other people suffering, which contributes to the tragic vision as a whole by acting as a symbol of Oedipus’s denial of the murder of his father.

Significant Moment #2 “Tiresias: I say that without knowing it you are living in shameful intimacy with your nearest and dearest. You do not see the evil in which you live” (Sophocles 25). The prophet is telling Oedipus that he is married to his mother but Oedipus does not believe him. This foreshadows the reveal that the queen is Oedipus’ mother and it also shows that Oedipus is ignorant as he ignores the truth.

Significant Moment #3 “Jocasta: Ill-fated man. May you never find out who you are!. . . Unfortunate! That is the only name I can call you by now. I shall not call your name again – ever!” (Sophocles 78) When she hangs herself with bed sheets, it is symbolic of her despair over her incestuous actions. Interestingly, Jocasta plays both a spousal and maternal role to Oedipus. She loves Oedipus romantically, but like a parent, she wishes to protect Oedipus' innocence from the knowledge of their relationship.

Figurative Language: Symbolism ● The eyes are symbolic in Oedipus, representing Oedipus blindness to the truth and willingness to disregard the fact that he killed King Laius. ● Another example of symbolism is the crossroad where he kills King Laius because crossroads are typically seen as decision making symbols, allowing whichever choice you make to be life changing. ● Another example of symbolism in Oedipus would be his swollen ankles which were a result of his parents binding his feet as a baby. This represents how since he was born, Oedipus was bound by a prophecy and fate.

AP Prompt 2000: Choose a novel or play in which one or more of the characters confront a mystery. Then write an essay in which you identify the mystery and explain how the investigation illuminates the meaning of the work as a whole. The mystery Oedipus must confront is finding the killer of Laius. Through his investigation he uncovers the tragic truth that he killed Laius, who is also his father, and that his wife is his mother, showing that nobody can hide from their fate.

Citations Sophocles. Oedipus the King. Translated by Bernard Knox, Simon & Schuster, Inc. , 1994