“Then let my fate continue where it will!” -Oedipus Oedipus Rex: Exodus World Literature: LAP 2 Day 7 “Then let my fate continue where it will!” -Oedipus

Essential Question Why did Jocasta kill herself? Why did Oedipus blind himself? What makes Oedipus such a timeless and profoundly interesting character to study?

Exodus The second messenger announces the suicide of Jocasta. Jocasta had hung herself in the palace. Oedipus then takes two gold pins from Jocasta’s gown and blinds himself. Oedipus appears to mourn his fate. Creon appears. Oedipus asks Creon to banish him. (Ironic?) “Then let my fate continue where it will.”- Oedipus

Exodus (continued) By asking Creon to let him return to the Mount Cithaeron, Oedipus hopes to carry out his fate by dying in the manner his parents intended. Oedipus begs him to take care of his children; Antigone and Ismene (mute) arrive to comfort their father. Creon persuades Oedipus to return to the palace, and assumes the kingship.

Exodus (continued) Exodus Characters Chorus reacts with pity and despair. Chorus and Oedipus are mournful of his fate. Second Messenger Oedipus Creon Choragos Antigone and Ismene make an appearance without lines.

Inescapable Irony Dramatic Irony- Jocasta’s condemnation of the oracle creates a sense of dramatic irony because now we know that Oedipus had already fulfilled the oracle’s prophecy. Verbal Irony- Oedipus ridicules Tiresias for his blindness, but Oedipus is also a sightless, witless and senseless man to the truth of his own actions. Tragic Irony- Oedipus does not know that he marries his own mother and has four children with her. Incest is one of the greatest crimes, so he causes the plague to happen in the city of Thebes. Situational Irony- Oedipus is an adopted son; he hears the prophecy, so he escapes to the city of his birth parents.

What is the Oedipus Complex?

Oedipus Clips https://www.fandor.com/films/oedipus_rex https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owK_45JsVvE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GraZAeeZhwc