Liu 1 Jacqueline Liu Professor Grosshans Engl 120-03 Spring 26 April 2012 Oedipus: The King of Guilt It’s amazing how guilt‚ a simple human emotion‚ can be the driving force of all human conflict. But what is even more impressive is how far we will go to protect ourselves from the pain associated with that guilt. The number one defense mechanism in this kind of situation is denial and by denying responsibility for our actions we in turn rid ourselves of guilt. We don’t like to feel as though we
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Within the narrative‚ Oedipus Rex‚ Oedipus’ interpretation of justice is enacted through his search to find the killer of King Laius in order to cure his city of a plague. Throughout his journey‚ he learns the genuine truth about himself and in the end‚ succeeds in finding the murderer and punishes himself to save his city. Throughout the play‚ Oedipus’ perception of justice is seen throughout the entire Sophocles play. His perception is that justice is above all man‚ even himself. This is relevant
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although only seven plays remain‚ his work continues to be enjoyed‚ evoking a variety of emotions and passions from his meaningful and disturbing tragedies‚ proving that he revolutionised the face of drama. One of Sophocles most legendary plays‚ Oedipus the King‚ demonstrates his outstanding writing skill‚ by the number of techniques he incorporates‚ such as dramatic irony‚ symbolism and his usage of the Chorus. Dramatic irony is a prominent device used in many tragedies. It allows the audience to feel
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The themes of sight and blindness occur frequently throughout the play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles. These symbols serve to develop the unity of the play and reveal the traits of the characters. Oedipus‚ Tiresias‚ and Jocasta are very different in their perceptions of sight. Oedipus‚ the successful King of Thebes‚ is a man with the ability to see but is metaphorically blind--blind to the truth of his role in the murder of Laius. He sets out diligently to find the murderer of Laius‚ who is a plague
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The Blind Life of Oedipus The King “Oedipus the King” is a drama that portrays misfortune that dwells among mankind. The tragic sequence of events first starts with the birth of Oedipus. His biological parents are stricken with grief when they discover a secret that causes them to banish their son from the city of Thebes. Little did they know that‚ despite their actions‚ fate would still play out which would‚ in turn‚ cause the society of Thebes to be stricken by the plague. Although many people
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A major theme of the classic Greek theatre production Oedipus Rex is the conflict between knowledge and ignorance. This is shown most strongly within the conversation held between Oedipus and Tiresias‚ the blind seer. Despite the prominent trait within the old man‚ rendering him unable to visually see his environment‚ he was very well-respected and revered by the people of Thebes for his ability to communicate with the gods‚ being given prophecies and answers to questions in doing so. This is seen
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predetermined‚ and can never be changed‚ no matter what the person does. This thematic pattern is prevalent in Sophocles’ play‚ Oedipus the King‚ as well. Throughout the tragedy‚ Oedipus and his parents‚ Laius and Jocasta‚ fruitlessly strive to defy the king’s destiny‚ to alter his fate. Unfortunately‚ when they all finally realize that their efforts have failed to change any aspect of Oedipus’ prognosticated future‚ and that the prophecy has been fulfilled‚ their story comes to its dismal end. In order
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The Quran and Oedipus the King also known as Oedipus Rex are two well written pieces of work. The Quran‚ is the last sentiment of God to many‚ is not just a piece of writing‚ but a way of life describe in a book. The Oedipus Rex is a complex work that tells a tale‚ but also sheds a light on how modern day people are. Both works are still relevant to today’s modern times. The Quran was established into an original book many centuries ago‚ it still have relevance in present time. The Quran is the
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awareness of your own fate in life‚ or be blissfully ignorant of what the gods have in store for you? Sophocles’ Oedipus the King‚ translated by David Grene‚ explains knowledge as an awareness of the future‚ or fate. This knowledge can lead to a greater understanding as to one’s purpose in life‚ but in the end results in misery because humans try to control fate‚ which is impossible. Oedipus the King shows the results of learning fate and the moral price that comes with attempting to change the future. These
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suffering. From Sophocles’ Oedipus the King‚ to the poetry written by Jonathan Swift‚ John Donne and Lady Mary Wortley Montagu‚ multiple literary scholars have demonstrated suffering throughout the last couple centuries. Whether it may be sexual suffering as seen in the work of John Donne’s His Mistress Going to Bed‚ and Jonathan Swifts The Lady’s Dressing Room and A Beautiful Nymph Going to Bed‚ or the emotional‚ physical and psychological suffering in Oedipus the King‚ literature’s greatest authors
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