The Greek tragedy Oedipus Rex by Sophocles demonstrates the theme of free-will versus fate. Theme is the central or dominating idea of a work. Through the character‚ actions‚ and subsequent downfalls of Laius‚ Jocasta‚ and Oedipus‚ Sophocles shows how free-will is limited. Firstly‚ as Oedipus is the tragic hero of this play‚ he must possess a characteristic that leads to his downfall and for Oedipus‚ that flaw is his hubris. When told by Teiresias‚ the blind prophet‚ that “those clear-seeing eyes
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Oedipus the King Sophocles Translated by David Grene CHARACTERS OEDIPUS‚ King of Thebes JOCASTA‚ His Wife CREON‚ His Brother-in-Law TEIRESIAS‚ an Old Blind Prophet PRIEST PART I: Scene: In front of the palace of Oedipus at Thebes. To the Right of the stage near the altar stands the PRIEST with a crowd of children. OEDIPUS emerges from the central door. OEDIPUS: Children‚ young sons and daughters of old Cadmus‚1 why do you sit here with your suppliant crowns?2 the town is heavy with a mingled burden
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Historical and Biographical Approaches Historical criticism seeks to interpret the work of literature through understanding the times and culture in which the work was written. The historical critic is more interested in the meaning that the literary work had for its own time than in the meaning the work might have today. For example‚ while some critics might interpret existential themes in Shakespeare’s Hamlet‚ a historical critic would be more interested in analyzing the play within the context
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“Tragedy is an imitation not of men but of a life‚ an action…” (Aristotle). Greek Tragedy was invented five hundred years Before Common Era‚ and focuses on the actions of characters. These actions emphasize the harsh reality in which the innocent mankind lives in. In Oedipus the King‚ Oedipus is defined as one with great potential‚ but has a hamartia leading to the ultimate demise of himself. Oedipus’ actions are tragic‚ as he tries to make the right choice but fails. He was dealt a hand that would
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which was why he was thought of as a good king. I thought that he tried hard to help the people of Thebes‚ but it would come to haunt him in the future. Oedipus’ wife Jocasta tells him where Laius was killed; she said it was at crossroads were Oedipus remembers killing a few men that were bothering him on the way to Thebes. Jocasta dreads telling Oedipus about the crossroads because without this information I believe Oedipus would never have found out the truth and would have given up his search
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The city‚ grateful for his wisdom made Oedipus the new King of Thebes. They also convinced him of marrying Jocasta which was Oedipus biological mother. At this point Oedipus has failed to prevent the oracle prediction. Time passes and Oedipus receives a message for him to banish the person who killed Laius former king of Thebes. Oedipus suspects creon of doing
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belong completely to the gods‚ but to the victims of the prophecy. Sophocles exemplifies this throughout the play using methods of symbolism‚ actions and words. From the get go of the prophecy‚ things weren’t well. Once king Laius and his wife Jocasta were told that their son would become their destruction‚ and they could not let this become a reality; “An oracle came to Laius one fine day (I won’t say from Apollo himself but
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Title: Oedipus Rex Author: Sophocles Date of Publication: around 430 B.C. Genre: Dramatic Tragedy Biographical information about the author: Born at Colonus‚ son of Sophilus. Sophocles was a playwright and served as a priest. He had a son with Nicartrata‚ who was also a playwright. And he also had a son with Theoris. Wrote 123plays but only 7 survived: Ajar‚ Antigone‚ Trachinian women‚ Oedipus Tyrannoss‚ Electras‚ Philocetes‚ and Oedipus at Colonus. Also increased the number of chorus from 12
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The classical‚ universal dramas written in the classical period of Greek history have withstood the test of time. Well know writers have shared views‚ concerns‚ laughs and tears with audience after audience. Ranging in styles‚ writers have worked to bring light to injustice‚ clarity to the questions of life‚ and humility to the ones who sit enthroned in society. Greek drama was more than just entertaining‚ it was also enlightening. A key component of dramas is the idea of “tragic hero”. A tragic
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blind to the truth ‚ and choose to make impulsive decisions‚ which leads to his tragic fate . thus oedpipus is the architechure of his own fate. Oedipus blindness to the truth is a factor that affects his fate. This can be seen when odp tells Jocasta about the incident in python ‚ “I went to python; but came back disappointed of the answer to the question I asked ‚ having heared instead a tale of horror and misery ; how i must marry my mother…. – and kill my father.”( Sophocles pg 47) due to the
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