King Oedipus Notes

King Oedipus Journal Notes

a) Oedipus (characteristics / character study)
 King Oedipus is likewise a saviour.
 He does not die; he suffers, however on behalf of the people, a terrible and symbolic agony.
 He is impetuous and short-tempered.
 Intelligent, as shown in his following statement, “I, ignorant Oedipus, came-/ And stopped the riddler's mouth” (37) Oedipus says.
 King Oedipus is a tragic hero.
 He has a Christ like character.
 King Oedipus is blinded by his pride and ignorance from the truth of his past that causes his downfall.
 He physically blinds himself in despair, but opens a new vision that will allow him to see reality and not what he wants to see. His eyes were useless when he had them and they have served him no purpose thus far in his life.
 He is controlled by fate.
 Oedipus represents Apollo, the god of sun, light and law and order.
 Also, represents Dionysus, the god of lust, and the irrational which causes self-destruction.
 He is a symbol of city, Thebes.

b) Secondary Characters (characteristics and dramatic significance)
i. Creon
 Brother of Jocasta.
 He shows himself to be honest.
 He is direct with all the characters, especially Oedipus.
 A tempered man.
 “You [Creon] are a knave” Oedipus says when he taunts Creon. ii. Teiresias
 The prophet of Apollo.
 He has the knowledge of the King's fatal identity,
 Tiresias is visually impaired and lives in the darkness, but he can still see the truth of the contingency.
 He has spiritual eyes that allows him to see what many other people cannot see, including Oedipus. iii. Jocasta
 Queen of Thebes, and mother and wife of Oedipus.
 She plays as a conflict resoluter when Oedipus and Creon get into a disagreement.
 She does not hesitate to speak her mind.
 Jocasta tries to prevent Oedipus' past from unfolding.
 She comforts Oedipus like a mother and loves him as a wife. iv. Corinthian Shepherd
 He plays the role of bringing the news