Character Analysis - Jocasta 
Character Analysis
Jocasta
Jocasta is the queen of Thebes and wife of Oedipus. To the ignorance of the fact that she is also his mother, she marries Oedipus. Sophocles introduces Jocasta in the play during a confrontation between Oedipus and Creon, “have you no sense? Poor misguided men, such shouting-why this public outburst?...” (Sophocles 627). Jocasta urges the men to stop, she comes off as a strong women. She makes it clear to Oedipus that she does not believe in the prophecies and oracles “A prophet? Well then free yourself of every charge! Listen to me and learn some peace of mind: no skill in the world, nothing human can penetrate the future....” (629). Its clearly that she likes to be in control of every situation. While the messenger is talking to Oedipus and Jocasta. He mentions that a shepherd Laius had found Oedipus. Then the shepherd gave the messenger Oedipus. After the messenger tell both Oedipus and Jocasta this information, Jocasta put it all together and realizes, her husband Oedipus is also her son and the prophecy was correct. At this point Oedipus want to know more about his mother and father, and is determined to find out. Jocasta for the sake of embarrassment and for the sake of ruining their family, Jocasta would rather let the outrageous fact remain a mystery. Jocasta tries to convince Oedipus not to continue with the search of the truth about the murder of Laius. Jocasta becomes the victim of a terrible situation. She is a mother-wife to Oedipus. Although Jocasta found out about Oedipus, she tried to keep the news a secret because she did not want their life and family to be ruined. This showed that Jocasta is a strong women with lots of pride. Jocasta is presented as a good queen, a loving wife and a highly unique person.
Work Cited
Sophocles. “Oedipus the King”. Backpack Literature. Kennedy X.J, Dana Gioia. Ed. Terry Joseph. New York: Pearson Longman 2006. 605-655.
Jocasta
Jocasta is the queen of Thebes and wife of Oedipus. To the ignorance of the fact that she is also his mother, she marries Oedipus. Sophocles introduces Jocasta in the play during a confrontation between Oedipus and Creon, “have you no sense? Poor misguided men, such shouting-why this public outburst?...” (Sophocles 627). Jocasta urges the men to stop, she comes off as a strong women. She makes it clear to Oedipus that she does not believe in the prophecies and oracles “A prophet? Well then free yourself of every charge! Listen to me and learn some peace of mind: no skill in the world, nothing human can penetrate the future....” (629). Its clearly that she likes to be in control of every situation. While the messenger is talking to Oedipus and Jocasta. He mentions that a shepherd Laius had found Oedipus. Then the shepherd gave the messenger Oedipus. After the messenger tell both Oedipus and Jocasta this information, Jocasta put it all together and realizes, her husband Oedipus is also her son and the prophecy was correct. At this point Oedipus want to know more about his mother and father, and is determined to find out. Jocasta for the sake of embarrassment and for the sake of ruining their family, Jocasta would rather let the outrageous fact remain a mystery. Jocasta tries to convince Oedipus not to continue with the search of the truth about the murder of Laius. Jocasta becomes the victim of a terrible situation. She is a mother-wife to Oedipus. Although Jocasta found out about Oedipus, she tried to keep the news a secret because she did not want their life and family to be ruined. This showed that Jocasta is a strong women with lots of pride. Jocasta is presented as a good queen, a loving wife and a highly unique person.
Work Cited
Sophocles. “Oedipus the King”. Backpack Literature. Kennedy X.J, Dana Gioia. Ed. Terry Joseph. New York: Pearson Longman 2006. 605-655.
Cited: Sophocles. “Oedipus the King”. Backpack Literature. Kennedy X.J, Dana Gioia. Ed. Terry Joseph. New York: Pearson Longman 2006. 605-655.