Oedipus Tyranus Meaning
Oedipus Tyrannus" is "basically is a story of a man's discovery through persistent inquiry that he is guilty of unwitting parricide and incest, and his horrified reaction to that discovery. In "Oedipus the King", Oedipus king of Thebes unknownly killed his biological father and married his mother. On this Ancient myth, the playwright Sophocles weaves a complex story that can be interpreted on many different levels of intellectual thinking. This play, since the time it was staged has been subjected to countless forms of analysis and interpretations. The most famous one being the Aristole's interpretation of the play in his book "Poetics", on what makes it a perfect tragedy. So, what is "Oedipus Tyrannus is really about", that still keeps fascinating the intellectuals and readers alike. Is it the developing mystery that captivates audience or the feeling of catharsis effect that readers and audience get after vicariously experiencing the horror and the humiliation that Oedipus feeds at the end of the play or is it mankind's questioning of Gods and prophecy. Which
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ever way, a reader choose interpret the play, "Oedipus the King" remains one of the most admirable plays ever stages in literary world.
One way of approaching "Oedipus the King" can be by looking at it as if were a detective story. When we are first reading the book, one can see the whole plot revolves around the Oedipus quest for truth. Basically, Oedipus is trying to solve a murder mystery of the former Thebes King Laius with the required elements of suspects, crimes, clues and investigator to make it to be a normal detective story. The plot of the story revolves around one significant event, which is the killing of King Laius. So now that the we have the crime stated, what we is need of a hero. Enter "Oedipus" as the detective. Continues Next Page -------
Oedipus has proven himself as an able detective possessing the essential qualities of bravery and intelligence, proven by answering the Sphinx riddle and saving Thebes. He first utilities his interrogation skills upon "Prophet Tiresias" in a sort of bad-cop manner, yelling at him or forcing him into answering questions unwillingly. Very much like the modern day detective television shows such as "Law & Order" or "NYPD Blues". In the hope of deriving the truth out of
"Prophet Tiresais", Oedipus yell at him "You would Prove a stone! Tell us, you villain, tell us and do not stand there quietly unmoved and balking at the issue" (Sophocles, "Sophocles 1", Pg-24, line 335)
Then as part of the intimidations process Oedipus begins to point fingers, first at Tiresias, For I would have you know. I think you were the completer of the deed and doer of the deed save in so far as for the actual killing. Had you had eyes. I would have said alonge that you murdered him" (Sophocles, "Sophocles 1", Pg-25, line 345). Despite these harsh accusations by Oedipus, Tiresais gives only handful of vague clues and this frustrates Oedipus even further. Then he goes on to accuse Creon, bring charges of conspiracy to overthrow him, "my friend Creon, friend from first and loyal, thus secretly attacks me, secretly desires me out and secretly suborns this juggling, trick devising quack" (Sophocles, "Sophocles 1", Pg-27, line 385). At this point the readers get the sense that Oedipus lost the skill as an effective investigator, because he seems to be pointing fingers at any one in a mad dash to save his own guilty soul. But then again, there is excessive amounts of clues given and people questioned. According to the concise dictionary of literary terms, "a basic rule of a detective story is that clues from which a solution can be drived from must be given to the reader at the same sequence as when the detective receives them.
This is exemplified in the "Oedipus the King" play in many places during the play, for example when Jocasta revels to Oedipus that prophecy that she was given during her marriage to Laius, which was unknown to Oedipus before but reveled during the course of the play.
But to say that "Oedipus the King" perfectly fits the bill of modern day decetive drama would be wrong, since the audience already knows the basic outline of the story before actually reading or seeing the play. All that was left to discovered are the characters reactions to the information that we already have assumed to be true. Sophocleas uses this to create brilliant interplay of dramatic irony in the play, which elevates the "Oedipus Tyrannus" as one of the greates Sophoclean tragedies. Other than that play shares many elements and themes that are common with the mystery novels, which to investigate a crime in the search of
truth.
Another approach that can be applied towards interpreting "Oedipus Tyrannus" can be categorizing it as a story, which signifies the conflict between humanism and Greek Traditional Religions. Humanism is a belief that centers on man, "It's an attitude of mind that concentrates upon the activities of man rather than upon the supernatural world" (Shaw, 36). During the period of time the play was staged in Athens: fate, divine laws and pre-ordinance were issues that deeply concerned the ancient Greeks as it was a developing civilization where its faith is the supernatural was constantly examined and re-examined. This is where one of the main conflict of the story arises from. In all Sophocles plays, fate is shown as a over-ruling factor in the cosmic order. This does not mean that the characters in the play does not have free will to exercise humanism, but the realm of exercising free will should be within cosmic order that rules the universe.(Knox, 543). In defying this order, the individuals would be struck down for going beyond their limitations. In the play Oedipus is shown to reject the accuracy of the prophecy and therefore divine law and religion and only to find out in the end that he was wrong. Jocasta, wife and mother of Oedipus is shown more than other's to be questioning gods through fervently expressing her disbelief in prophecies, who's strong beliefs influences others to follow her like in the case of Oedipus. Even though her feelings toward the divine is shown in contradictory manner at times. For an example, in the beginning of the play she is shown praying to Apollo to save that city and beg for forgiveness before killing her self. But other times she is shown quiet adamant in denouncing gods and their prophecies. In an attempt to comfort Oedipus, Jocasta tell him that the Oracles are Powerless, she says that "Do not concern yourself about this matter; listen to me and learn that human beings have no part in the craft of prophecy" (Sophocles, 710, pg-41). She rejoices over the news of Polypus death as a sign that the oracles were proven wrong. By doing so she is "attempting to hint that oracles and thus god are false" (Boyer, 10). But she is the one to realize the ultimate truth of the situation in the end and try to dissuades Oedipus from further going into his venture for truth. Sophocles in this play uses this theme to make a powerful argument about the conflict between the new outlook towards natural philosophy and traditional Greek religions, in "Oedipus Tyrannus" Oedipus discounts the accuracy of oracles, since he values the power of the truth more. Instead of relying on the divine, Oedipus sets about on his own to discover the truth; after all he is a highly intelligent riddle-solver. The contrast between trust in gods to trust in intelligence is shown the contrast between new outlooks vs the traditional ones. The irony is, in the end both the tradiionial and the scientific method both lead to the same outcome. In the quest for truth, Oedipus reveals the truth fulfills the oracles" prophecies. Ironically, it is Oedipus very rejection of the oracles that uncovers the powers; instead of trusting in gods, he vigoursly pursues truth to find out finally that his detective work reveals the fulfillment of the oracle"s words. Therefore, Sophocles "show that the Greek that they could not avoid dealing of the gods, or if they may be forced to conspire against the very people they should love the most. (Boyer, 12).
Third way of looking at the enduring quality of the play is by the catharsis effect it has upon the reader or the audience of the play. "Catharsis" is a concept that Aristotle discusses on his work "The Poetics", "." Catharisis is defined as a "purgation of pity and fear", which are integral to a tragedy to supply it with a relief. or purification, of these emtoitions and leaving the audience feeling of fulfilled pleaure. Catharsis is either a "purification" (a reduction to a beneficient order and proportion) or a "purgation" (expelling from our emotional system) by the drama.". Basically it means that when a spectator views a tragedy and their "unhealty emotions and feelings" are "cleansed psychologyically". This all dependes upon whether the tragic hero conscious or unconscious of his or intentioal tragic act, if the hero was intential then that person would not evoke the feeling of pity or fear but the reverse of these feelings. On the other hand, if the actions of the tragic hero is "pure" by the audience standars, that it would evoke the fear and pity. In "Oedipus" Tyrannus Oedipus slaying of his father at the crossroads was an intentional act, but also an unconscious one too; there for it is a "pure" one. Towards the end of the play, when Oedipus blinds himself, the audience is capable of the correct emotional response of fear and pity. Because this act, after Oedipus' recognition of his error, proves that he feels remorse for his actions and shows the audience that he sould never have performed them had he known the facts before. Therefore, the self-inflicted blindness is the "purification" for his suffering and this makes him eligible for our pity. Catharsis, which is recognized as an integral part of a successful tragedy, but can it stand alone. John Gassner in his books "Cathersis and Modern Theater" thinks not; he thinks that the evoked 'pity' and 'fear' mayy effect explusion of emotions on a tragic stage, but one other force is required for the real recogniation of catharsis to be effectuated" (109) He says that that enlightenment is the decisive element is the decisive element in catharsis: "the unltimate relief comes when the dramatist brings the tragic struggle to a state of rest" (109). Since the audience cannot be left in the state of tensions, enlightment restores the equilibrium above the chaos of emotion. In the end of Oedipus, takes a prophetice quality of Tireisis. Therefore, bring end to the choas that result from the drama.
"Oedipus Tyrannous" can be interpreted in many ways and in many different levels owing to its complexity for the real meaning it is trying to convey to the reader. On the surface level it may seems a detective story alike of Alfred Hitchcock's movie. But when analyzed further it shows it also can be about the argument of religion vs scientific methods. Also the continuity of its success in the literary world can be attributed Aristotle's philosophy of catharsis. There are many more interpretations that can be derived out of this play, as previous scholars have done in the past. This degree of complexity continues to sustains the interests of scholars, readers and students alike.
ever way, a reader choose interpret the play, "Oedipus the King" remains one of the most admirable plays ever stages in literary world.
One way of approaching "Oedipus the King" can be by looking at it as if were a detective story. When we are first reading the book, one can see the whole plot revolves around the Oedipus quest for truth. Basically, Oedipus is trying to solve a murder mystery of the former Thebes King Laius with the required elements of suspects, crimes, clues and investigator to make it to be a normal detective story. The plot of the story revolves around one significant event, which is the killing of King Laius. So now that the we have the crime stated, what we is need of a hero. Enter "Oedipus" as the detective. Continues Next Page -------
Oedipus has proven himself as an able detective possessing the essential qualities of bravery and intelligence, proven by answering the Sphinx riddle and saving Thebes. He first utilities his interrogation skills upon "Prophet Tiresias" in a sort of bad-cop manner, yelling at him or forcing him into answering questions unwillingly. Very much like the modern day detective television shows such as "Law & Order" or "NYPD Blues". In the hope of deriving the truth out of
"Prophet Tiresais", Oedipus yell at him "You would Prove a stone! Tell us, you villain, tell us and do not stand there quietly unmoved and balking at the issue" (Sophocles, "Sophocles 1", Pg-24, line 335)
Then as part of the intimidations process Oedipus begins to point fingers, first at Tiresias, For I would have you know. I think you were the completer of the deed and doer of the deed save in so far as for the actual killing. Had you had eyes. I would have said alonge that you murdered him" (Sophocles, "Sophocles 1", Pg-25, line 345). Despite these harsh accusations by Oedipus, Tiresais gives only handful of vague clues and this frustrates Oedipus even further. Then he goes on to accuse Creon, bring charges of conspiracy to overthrow him, "my friend Creon, friend from first and loyal, thus secretly attacks me, secretly desires me out and secretly suborns this juggling, trick devising quack" (Sophocles, "Sophocles 1", Pg-27, line 385). At this point the readers get the sense that Oedipus lost the skill as an effective investigator, because he seems to be pointing fingers at any one in a mad dash to save his own guilty soul. But then again, there is excessive amounts of clues given and people questioned. According to the concise dictionary of literary terms, "a basic rule of a detective story is that clues from which a solution can be drived from must be given to the reader at the same sequence as when the detective receives them.
This is exemplified in the "Oedipus the King" play in many places during the play, for example when Jocasta revels to Oedipus that prophecy that she was given during her marriage to Laius, which was unknown to Oedipus before but reveled during the course of the play.
But to say that "Oedipus the King" perfectly fits the bill of modern day decetive drama would be wrong, since the audience already knows the basic outline of the story before actually reading or seeing the play. All that was left to discovered are the characters reactions to the information that we already have assumed to be true. Sophocleas uses this to create brilliant interplay of dramatic irony in the play, which elevates the "Oedipus Tyrannus" as one of the greates Sophoclean tragedies. Other than that play shares many elements and themes that are common with the mystery novels, which to investigate a crime in the search of
truth.
Another approach that can be applied towards interpreting "Oedipus Tyrannus" can be categorizing it as a story, which signifies the conflict between humanism and Greek Traditional Religions. Humanism is a belief that centers on man, "It's an attitude of mind that concentrates upon the activities of man rather than upon the supernatural world" (Shaw, 36). During the period of time the play was staged in Athens: fate, divine laws and pre-ordinance were issues that deeply concerned the ancient Greeks as it was a developing civilization where its faith is the supernatural was constantly examined and re-examined. This is where one of the main conflict of the story arises from. In all Sophocles plays, fate is shown as a over-ruling factor in the cosmic order. This does not mean that the characters in the play does not have free will to exercise humanism, but the realm of exercising free will should be within cosmic order that rules the universe.(Knox, 543). In defying this order, the individuals would be struck down for going beyond their limitations. In the play Oedipus is shown to reject the accuracy of the prophecy and therefore divine law and religion and only to find out in the end that he was wrong. Jocasta, wife and mother of Oedipus is shown more than other's to be questioning gods through fervently expressing her disbelief in prophecies, who's strong beliefs influences others to follow her like in the case of Oedipus. Even though her feelings toward the divine is shown in contradictory manner at times. For an example, in the beginning of the play she is shown praying to Apollo to save that city and beg for forgiveness before killing her self. But other times she is shown quiet adamant in denouncing gods and their prophecies. In an attempt to comfort Oedipus, Jocasta tell him that the Oracles are Powerless, she says that "Do not concern yourself about this matter; listen to me and learn that human beings have no part in the craft of prophecy" (Sophocles, 710, pg-41). She rejoices over the news of Polypus death as a sign that the oracles were proven wrong. By doing so she is "attempting to hint that oracles and thus god are false" (Boyer, 10). But she is the one to realize the ultimate truth of the situation in the end and try to dissuades Oedipus from further going into his venture for truth. Sophocles in this play uses this theme to make a powerful argument about the conflict between the new outlook towards natural philosophy and traditional Greek religions, in "Oedipus Tyrannus" Oedipus discounts the accuracy of oracles, since he values the power of the truth more. Instead of relying on the divine, Oedipus sets about on his own to discover the truth; after all he is a highly intelligent riddle-solver. The contrast between trust in gods to trust in intelligence is shown the contrast between new outlooks vs the traditional ones. The irony is, in the end both the tradiionial and the scientific method both lead to the same outcome. In the quest for truth, Oedipus reveals the truth fulfills the oracles" prophecies. Ironically, it is Oedipus very rejection of the oracles that uncovers the powers; instead of trusting in gods, he vigoursly pursues truth to find out finally that his detective work reveals the fulfillment of the oracle"s words. Therefore, Sophocles "show that the Greek that they could not avoid dealing of the gods, or if they may be forced to conspire against the very people they should love the most. (Boyer, 12).
Third way of looking at the enduring quality of the play is by the catharsis effect it has upon the reader or the audience of the play. "Catharsis" is a concept that Aristotle discusses on his work "The Poetics", "." Catharisis is defined as a "purgation of pity and fear", which are integral to a tragedy to supply it with a relief. or purification, of these emtoitions and leaving the audience feeling of fulfilled pleaure. Catharsis is either a "purification" (a reduction to a beneficient order and proportion) or a "purgation" (expelling from our emotional system) by the drama.". Basically it means that when a spectator views a tragedy and their "unhealty emotions and feelings" are "cleansed psychologyically". This all dependes upon whether the tragic hero conscious or unconscious of his or intentioal tragic act, if the hero was intential then that person would not evoke the feeling of pity or fear but the reverse of these feelings. On the other hand, if the actions of the tragic hero is "pure" by the audience standars, that it would evoke the fear and pity. In "Oedipus" Tyrannus Oedipus slaying of his father at the crossroads was an intentional act, but also an unconscious one too; there for it is a "pure" one. Towards the end of the play, when Oedipus blinds himself, the audience is capable of the correct emotional response of fear and pity. Because this act, after Oedipus' recognition of his error, proves that he feels remorse for his actions and shows the audience that he sould never have performed them had he known the facts before. Therefore, the self-inflicted blindness is the "purification" for his suffering and this makes him eligible for our pity. Catharsis, which is recognized as an integral part of a successful tragedy, but can it stand alone. John Gassner in his books "Cathersis and Modern Theater" thinks not; he thinks that the evoked 'pity' and 'fear' mayy effect explusion of emotions on a tragic stage, but one other force is required for the real recogniation of catharsis to be effectuated" (109) He says that that enlightenment is the decisive element is the decisive element in catharsis: "the unltimate relief comes when the dramatist brings the tragic struggle to a state of rest" (109). Since the audience cannot be left in the state of tensions, enlightment restores the equilibrium above the chaos of emotion. In the end of Oedipus, takes a prophetice quality of Tireisis. Therefore, bring end to the choas that result from the drama.
"Oedipus Tyrannous" can be interpreted in many ways and in many different levels owing to its complexity for the real meaning it is trying to convey to the reader. On the surface level it may seems a detective story alike of Alfred Hitchcock's movie. But when analyzed further it shows it also can be about the argument of religion vs scientific methods. Also the continuity of its success in the literary world can be attributed Aristotle's philosophy of catharsis. There are many more interpretations that can be derived out of this play, as previous scholars have done in the past. This degree of complexity continues to sustains the interests of scholars, readers and students alike.