is superior to the average man in some way. In Oedipus ’s case‚ he is superior not only because of social standing‚ but also because he is smart ¬ he is the only person who could solve the Sphinx ’s riddle. At the same time‚ a tragic hero must evoke both pity and fear‚ and Aristotle claims that the best way to do this is if he is imperfect. A character with a mixture of good and evil is more compelling that a character who is merely good. And Oedipus is definitely not perfect; although a clever man
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The short story‚ “The Cask of Amontillado” written by Edgar Allen Poe is about a psychotic man named Montresor who seeks revenge against Fortunato‚ a man who allegedly committed malice towards him. Poe utilizes verbal irony to establish the story’s events and to create a humorous yet subtle way to show the misfortunes of Fortunato which eventually leads up to his death. For example‚ “Enough‚ he said; the cough is a mere nothing; it will not kill me. I shall not die of a cough” (Poe 241). Fortunato
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flaw‚ which leads to his downfall. Shakespeare and Sophocles were both inspired by the theme of Tragic Heroes and have used this theme in their plays Macbeth and Oedipus Rex‚ respectively. These plays teach us moral lessons and it is imperative to decide which character best fits the title of a Tragic Hero. Undoubtedly‚ Macbeth and Oedipus are both Tragic Heroes but in different ways. Hamartia is a tragic flaw‚ which leads to a reversal of good fortune. An analysis of the two characters’ hamartia‚
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commonly used literary devices is irony. Irony can be defined as the difference between appearance and reality‚ or when a reader expects or assumes one thing and the opposite is true. It allows an author to engage and surprise the audience‚ which often also teaches an important lesson. Two classic examples of irony through literature are Oedipus the King by Sophocles and The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin. In the play Oedipus the King‚ Sophocles uses dramatic irony for the moral and political education
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Oedipus Rex‚ a classic Greek play‚ was written almost 2500 years ago by a famous playwright named Sophocles. The play focuses on finding Laius’ killer but through the process‚ Oedipus finds out who he truthfully is. In Scene one lines 284-448 Oedipus is speaking to Teiresias a blind prophet‚ he asks Teiresias to reveal Laius’ killer. This passage has defining characteristics that are important to the play as a whole‚ which can be simply conveyed on stage. This passage helps develop and make the play
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Dionysus. In the stories "Oedipus Rex" and "The Bacchae"‚ these gods conflict with men that are not just average mortals‚ but respected kings. Although the political position of these kings makes them feel superior to all‚ the gods in the two stories show them that immortals are far superior to any man. In this way‚ "Oedipus Rex" and "The Bacchae" present a tension between politics and religion‚ the result of which reveals that religion indubitably prevails. In "Oedipus Rex"‚ the presence of religion
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Comparison Essay The following essay will compare the themes of the Greek tragedy Oedipus Rex‚ by Sophocles‚ and the short story "Cathedral"‚ by Raymond Carver. Oedipus Rex‚ is the story of a family who received a disturbing prophecy about there newborn son‚ and are forced to give him up. As a result‚ the child‚ Oedipus is to be killed‚ but rather he is given to a king as a gift from one of his shepherds. Oedipus did indeed fulfill the prophecy that stated he would kill his father and sleep with
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his Classical play‚ Oedipus the King‚ Sophocles portrays a suffering man who discovers that he has committed patricide and incest and realizes that he is unable to change his fate. Dramatic irony abounds in this tragedy. Unbeknownst to the characters‚ the characters’ actions and words have great significance. Sophocles’ use of dramatic irony underscores the themes of human ignorance and godlike knowledge. Sophocles uses dramatic irony to stress the theme of ignorance. Oedipus is unaware that he is
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INNOCENCE vs GUILT MEANINGS: Innocence n. ( n -s ns) –The state‚ quality or virtue of being innocent‚ as: a.Freedom from sin‚ moral wrong‚ or guilt through lack of knowledge of evil. b. Guiltlessness of a specific legal crime or offense. c. Freedom from guile‚ cunning‚ or deceit; simplicity or artlessness. d. Lack of worldliness or sophistication; naiveté. e. Lack of knowledge or understanding; ignorance. f. Freedom from harmfulness; inoffensiveness. Guilt n. (g lt) – 1. The fact or condition
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Oedipus is the King of Thebes‚ he was cursed and abandoned at birth; he meets with the priests of Thebes because of a plague that has fallen upon the city. Oedipus sends Creon to the oracle Delphi for instructions from the gods to see how to end the plague. Creon tells Oedipus and the priests that in order to end the plague the murder of the form king of Thebes Laius must be avenged. Oedipus then goes on to say that anyone who with holds information about the murder will be banished from Thebes
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