Oedipus Rex Symbolism Essay
Sophocles’ play Oedipus Rex demonstrates large uses of symbolism. Compared to other texts, this one does not have a lot of symbolism, but the symbolism it does have is used consistently throughout the play and has a big impact on the story. The three-way crossroad at which Laius is murdered means a lot to the story metaphorically and symbolizes a couple different things.
First and foremost, crossroads most commonly demonstrate a choice that needs to be made. However, Sophocles uses this crossroad to demonstrate the preset fate of Oedipus. Since birth, Oedipus would supposedly one day kill his father and marry his mother. Although Oedipus thought he was escaping that fate, during his flee is where his fate physically started to happen. Instead of showing a choice, this is showing how …show more content…
much power the gods had in this Greek society. It is known that ancient Greek writings had correlation to the gods and this is showing how strong of a correlation the gods had to life at that time. As stated, Laius was murdered at this crossroads, which is the first major thing Oedipus does to follow his fate. At the time of Oedipus’s actions, he doesn’t know he is acting in fate, but that is part of Sophocles’ tragedy.
A second thought to be made about the crossroads is the fact that there are specifically three.
As with any writing, more or less roads could have been chosen. However, it is believed each of the roads represent either the past, present, or future. This would associate with fate because the present and future are affected by what fate might be while past sets one up for their fate. The road in which Oedipus was coming from would be the past. The road he continues down would be the future, where he fulfills his fate. The present would be the road not taken.
This idea has not crossed my mind many times, but it gradually makes more and more sense. The roads past and future are something everyone can relate to. The action at the crossroads is specific to Sophocles’ story, dealing with the gods.
At the end of reading this play, it is clear how strong of an influence the crossroads have on the characters and their actions. If Sophocles was written by someone else, or at a different time period, perhaps the symbolism would mean something different. Despite that, it currently symbolizes the power of Greek gods in that society and how the past, present, and future work together in
fate,
First and foremost, crossroads most commonly demonstrate a choice that needs to be made. However, Sophocles uses this crossroad to demonstrate the preset fate of Oedipus. Since birth, Oedipus would supposedly one day kill his father and marry his mother. Although Oedipus thought he was escaping that fate, during his flee is where his fate physically started to happen. Instead of showing a choice, this is showing how …show more content…
much power the gods had in this Greek society. It is known that ancient Greek writings had correlation to the gods and this is showing how strong of a correlation the gods had to life at that time. As stated, Laius was murdered at this crossroads, which is the first major thing Oedipus does to follow his fate. At the time of Oedipus’s actions, he doesn’t know he is acting in fate, but that is part of Sophocles’ tragedy.
A second thought to be made about the crossroads is the fact that there are specifically three.
As with any writing, more or less roads could have been chosen. However, it is believed each of the roads represent either the past, present, or future. This would associate with fate because the present and future are affected by what fate might be while past sets one up for their fate. The road in which Oedipus was coming from would be the past. The road he continues down would be the future, where he fulfills his fate. The present would be the road not taken.
This idea has not crossed my mind many times, but it gradually makes more and more sense. The roads past and future are something everyone can relate to. The action at the crossroads is specific to Sophocles’ story, dealing with the gods.
At the end of reading this play, it is clear how strong of an influence the crossroads have on the characters and their actions. If Sophocles was written by someone else, or at a different time period, perhaps the symbolism would mean something different. Despite that, it currently symbolizes the power of Greek gods in that society and how the past, present, and future work together in
fate,