characterization allow us to see not only each character’s obvious side‚ but their hidden side too‚ that is not always as easily seen. In the play Oedipus Rex‚ the three main characters Oedipus‚ Teiresias‚ and Iokaste are introduced to us through direct and indirect characterization‚ where we learn about each character’s positive as well as negative traits. Oedipus‚ the main character in the story‚ and the King of Thebes‚ has many different traits. His positive qualities are shown to the reader by both
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Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex is one of Greek literatures classic tragedies. It supports and demonstrates Aristotle’s view on tragedy in the story‚ and ultimately defines how this drama is a tragedy. He talks about tragedy being “an imitation of a noble and complete action” (Witt‚ 165) along with being artistically enhanced with fearful incidents. Important parts of tragedies also include plot‚ character‚ diction‚ thought‚ spectacle‚ and melody. Tragedies are imitations of human action
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Man controls his fate by the choices that he makes. In being able to chose what his own actions are‚ fate is a result of his decisions. In Oedipus the King‚ the Greek writer‚ Sophocles‚ uses characterization and dramatic irony to project a theme throughout the play providing the idea that man is responsible for his own fate. Sophocles lived 90 years‚ revealing a plethora of amazing‚ prize-winning tragic Greek plays. Sophocles was born near Athens in 496 BC‚ in the town of Colonus. He received
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In Oedipus Rex‚ it appears that Oedipus’ tragic downfall was the result of misfortune – his actions of killing his father and marrying his mother were done without knowledge or intent‚ and thus his punishment of scorn and banishment seems excessive for the crime. However‚ though Oedipus was struck by the gods with unfortunate circumstances‚ it was through his own free will that the oracles were permitted to come true. The weaknesses in Oedipus’ personality and his lapses in judgment caused him to
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characters or to the audience. The tragedy ’Oedipus Rex’ is filled with dramatic suspense which is largely due to the effective use of dramatic irony by Sophocles. Except for Teiresias‚ all the characters in the play such as Oedipus‚ Iokastȇ‚ Creon‚ the messenger and the chorus know nothing about the proceedings of the story‚ so their speeches contain dramatic irony. Most dramatic ironies are found in the speeches of Oedipus. Almost every word uttered by Oedipus from the exposition of the play to the
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Prof McGee November 23‚ 2013 Proper Punishment and Justice in Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex Within Sophocles’ play‚ Oedipus Rex‚ Oedipus’ destiny was to marry his biological mother and murder his biological father. Oedipus pointlessly tries to change his fate‚ but was powerless in changing anything. With no control over his destined fate‚ unaware of his family history‚ and unconscious of who his birth parents were‚ Oedipus is guiltless in killing his father and marrying his very own mother. Justice
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The Robert Fagles translation of the last part of Oedipus Rex is the best translation compared to the others. The meaning of this excerpt is very rich and ties up the entire story. It also includes the main theme‚ which is one that still applies today. This translation is the best because it has some elements of poetry that makes it stand out from the others. In this section‚ the chorus is talking about the life of Oedipus. They are explaining of how he was the greatest of men‚ and how he solved
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to portray. Even though the presentation clarified most of my questions‚ I was still left pondering certain aspects of Oedipus Rex. In the book‚ the main question for me was if Oedipus really had control of his life or what he being controlled by the gods and fate. When Oedipus heard the prophecy for the first time‚ he tried to run away from it. That gives me inkling on Oedipus that tells me he believes in the prophecy and it will come to pass. When he really does kill his father without knowing
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The Tragedy of Oedipus A Greek tragedy is not like stories today. Certain elements separate Greek tragedies from modern day plays. The main aspect that distinguishes the difference between Ancient Greece and now is the sense of pity and fear. Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex proves to be a Greek tragedy‚ according to Aristotle’s “The Art of Poetry”‚ through its plot and dramatic twists of events. One could classify Oedipus Rex as a Greek tragedy because it contains the elements‚ such as suffering‚ peripety
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Another flaw of Oedipus that leads to his self-destruction is his excessive self-pride. He made it his mission to find the killer of Laius in order to end the misery that the plague in Thebes caused. He was sure of himself that he will save the land‚ ironically not realizing that he is the one at fault. He sees himself as being all mighty since he presumably escaped his fate. He was able to save Thebes from the Sphinx so he thinks history can repeat itself and he can be a hero ones again for his
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