Kayla Hamann Mackenzie Hogan Amanda Ludtke Thurika Ganesh 7th period Oedipus Rex Kayla Hamann  Mackenzie Hogan Amanda Ludtke Thurika Ganesh 7th period

Prompt In “Oedipus the King” some of the significant events are mental or psychological: for example, awakenings, discoveries, changes in consciousness. Describe how Sophocles manages to give these internal events the sense of excitement, suspense, and climax usually associated with external action. Literal meaning of the prompt: The topic is literally asking us to describe how Sophocles uses internal events and to see how they are connected to external action. The topic relates to material/novel in class because we are exploring significant moments and archetypes in Oedipus. The relation to Sophocles‘s idea being presented in Greek theatre is important because it played the role of pride in this time period.

Literary Device 1: Symbolism In the novel, when Oedipus meets with the blind prophet, Tiresias, the prophet tells him that he is so ignorant that he doesn’t even know who his own parents were. Oedipus had always thought highly of himself and demanded respect. Because of his arrogance he became oblivious to the truth about his family and fate. Oedipus was truly more blind than this physically blind prophet. After Jocasta killed herself, Oedipus felt such guilt and as punishment he stabbed out his own eyes and banished himself from Thebes. Without his eyes, Oedipus actually gained insight and became enlightened. Text evidence: “He ripped out the golden pins with which her clothes were fastened, raised them high above his head, and speared the pupils of his eyes…thick as a hail storm.” – messenger (page 93-94) Text evidence: “You have mocked at my blindness, but you, who have eyes, cannot see the evil in which you stand.” – Tiresias (page 28)

Literary Device 2: Cosmic Irony Cosmic: For Oedipus’s entire life he had been led to believe that he was the son of Polybus and Merope. He had believed all of this up until the Corinthian messenger told him that he was not related to Polybus and Merope at all and that the messenger was the person who gave them Oedipus as a baby. Oedipus had believed that the prophecy was false, until the messenger brings him this news. The Shepherd that gave him away told Oedipus that he was the son of Laius. This confirmed the truth of the prophecy, that Oedipus had actually killed his father and wed his mother. The fate that was told to him as a child actually came true and brought the downfall of Oedipus who was once an hero. Text evidence: “Because Polybus was not related to you in any way.” – Messenger (page 72) Text evidence: “Oh God! It has all come true.” – Oedipus (page 89)

Literary Device 3: Archetype: Crossroads In the novel, Oedipus arrives physically at a crossroad and then later comes across a mental crossroad. When Oedipus leaves Corinth, he reaches a crossroad where fate has him meet his father and cause him death, as foretold by the prophecy. The two possibilities were that fate would take control over Oedipus’s life (which it did) or the prophecy could have been false. Then later Oedipus becomes conflicted over what he has thought to be the truth for so long and what the prophet is telling him is the truth. His mind does not know what to believe, but the actual truth is so painful that he denies it and continues his search for answers. Text evidence: “I say that you are the murderer you are searching for.” – Tiresias (page 24) Text evidence: “O God! I think…what I did.” – Oedipus (page 53)

Literacy Device 3 (cont.): Archetype: The Outcast After Oedipus finds out the tragic truth, Jocasta kills herself. Oedipus stabs his eyes out as to not see all this grief. He blinds himself physically as punishment and so that he does not have to see the horrors happening around him. He then tells Creon to banish him from Thebes, as his presence is now a burden to the people of Thebes and he is the curse they must be rid of. He banishes himself to the country side and lives away from others to endure his punishment from the gods and wait for death. Text evidence: “As for me, do not condemn this city of my fathers…where they tried to kill me.” – Oedipus (page 103)

Significant Moment 1: Oedipus accuses Creon of developing the accusations against him As the search for the murderer is just beginning, Sophocles puts the reader into Oedipus’ mind by conveying his insecurity and quick temper Oedipus is quick in his retaliation, calling for the exile of Creon and the hunt for the “true” murderer, and this only deepens the air of anxiety surrounding Oedipus. Sophocles uses this moment in the storyline to demonstrate the ferocity that Oedipus has in defending his name and gives a glimpse of the steadfastness that is to come. Oedipus’ words to Creon are accusatory and damaging, and the dialogue proves effective in increasing tension between Oedipus and Creon/the crowd.

Significant Moment 2: The Shepherd is resistant to the questioning of Oedipus Sophocles develops a sense of foreboding as the tentativeness of the Shepherd demonstrates that he knows his story will have repercussions for the naïve king. This moment in the book is crucial because it creates a sense of the calm before the storm, as the plot has slowed down with the berating of questions and chaos is about to ensue As the Shepherd refuses to answer Oedipus’ questions and Oedipus becomes more enraged and impatient, it is easy to recognize that Oedipus is beginning to have thoughts that he could be the one responsible. He is so persistent because he has growing fears in his mind and he needs the Shepherd to put them to rest, but the Shepherd brings no solace and triggers the downfall of the hero.

Significant Moment 3: Oedipus realizes the prophecy has come true As the Shepherd answers the questions of Oedipus, Oedipus has an awakening and is finally convinced that it was he who murdered the king. Oedipus had been searching so violently and resourcefully for this murderer and he knows he must give himself the same punishment he was advocating, perhaps even worse as he has a deep sense of shame This moment is vital because it demonstrates the sincerity of Oedipus’ character and his disapproval of his actions. Sophocles is effective in evolving a humble and apologetic side to Oedipus after he has been so arrogant and powerful in his accusations. Although Oedipus does not die, it is evident that he is suffering internally and will never forgive himself for his unknowing actions.

2003: Select a tragic figure that functions as an instrument of the suffering of others “Oedipus Rex”. Discuss and explain how the suffering brought upon by the tragic hero contributes to the tragic vision as a whole. Oedipus fitting under the archetypal Tragic Hero character is a tragic character that by divinely prophesied fate had aided in the suffering of those closest to him. By fulfilling his fate by killing his father, widowing his mother, marrying his mother, and further having incestuous children, Oedipus has effectually ruined the lives of his entire family. The tragedy is was causes his final fall from the hubris-caused, ignorant bliss of not knowing the truth to his final crash and burn as the truth was revealed. The tragedy led to the death of Jocasta, the blinding of Oedipus, and the future shame brought upon his children. This tragedy, however, is necessary in opening Oedipus' eyes to the truth, thus humbling him. This connects back to the prompt through the slow realization of the truth. Through snippets of conversation, and Oedipus vocalizing his assumptions and fears, the audience learns at the same pace as Oedipus, giving the work more suspense, reader enticement, and also more weight when it all is suddenly revealed. “Do not try to be master in everything. What you once won and held did not stay with you all your life long.” (107)

2017: “Oedipus Rex” features a character whose origins are unusual or mysterious. Analyze how these origins shape the character and that character’s relationships, and how the origins contribute to the meaning of the work as a whole. Oedipus's origins have always been unknown. In the beginning, we slowly learn more and more about him. We learn of how he became king, what happened to the old one, and who Oedipus is. However, the mystery of his true origins is withheld from the audience until crucial moments where doubt is casted in every direction. Because of these origins that not even Oedipus knows of, the nature of his relationship with the people of Thebes, his wife, and all his followers is unreliable. This factor comes into play when Tiresias declared Oedipus as the killer, yet the lack of any substantial support is what truly causes doubt of whether Oedipus is who he was originally portrayed as. This connects back to the prompt through the pivotal moments where the origins are indeed revealed through conversations rather than external stimuli and thus the drama and suspense grows. “I stand revealed—born in shame, married in shame, an unnatural murderer.” (89)

Sources Sophocles. Oedipus the King. New York: Pocket Books, 1987. Print.