1. Intro to Oedipus Rex

2. Intro to Oedipus 1. Because Apollo’s favorite dragon was killed, Cadmus’s descendants were cursed so that at some point a King and Queen would produce a son who would kill his father and marry his mother. 1. Because Apollo’s favorite dragon was killed, Cadmus’s descendants were cursed so that at some point a King and Queen would produce a son who would kill his father and marry his mother.

3. Intro to Oedipus 2. The baby had a rivet driven through his ankles and his father told a servant to leave him on Mt. Cithaeron to die from exposure. 2. The baby had a rivet driven through his ankles and his father told a servant to leave him on Mt. Cithaeron to die from exposure.

4. Intro to Oedipus 3. The baby is given to a shepherd to raise as his own. 3. The baby is given to a shepherd to raise as his own.

5. Intro to Oedipus 4. Oedipus is told the prophecy by Pythia when he attempts to go to Apollo’s oracle at Delphi. 4. Oedipus is told the prophecy by Pythia when he attempts to go to Apollo’s oracle at Delphi.

6. Intro to Oedipus 5. He kills a stranger in a chariot after Oedipus becomes angry because a wheel ran over his foot. That stranger turns out to be his father. 5. He kills a stranger in a chariot after Oedipus becomes angry because a wheel ran over his foot. That stranger turns out to be his father.

7. Intro to Oedipus 6. What goes on 4 legs in the morning, 2 legs at midday, and 3 legs at night? 6. What goes on 4 legs in the morning, 2 legs at midday, and 3 legs at night? A human being A human being

8. Intro to Oedipus 7. He solves the riddle and ends the horror of the sphinx. In return, he is given Jocasta’s hand in marriage. 7. He solves the riddle and ends the horror of the sphinx. In return, he is given Jocasta’s hand in marriage.

9. Intro to Oedipus 8. Oedipus marries Jocasta, who is a widow. She is his mother. 8. Oedipus marries Jocasta, who is a widow. She is his mother.

10. Intro to Oedipus 9. The plague is caused by the fact that Laius’s murderer is living unpunished in Thebes. 9. The plague is caused by the fact that Laius’s murderer is living unpunished in Thebes.

11. Intro to Oedipus 10. The people of the time felt there was no way to avoid one’s fate. 10. The people of the time felt there was no way to avoid one’s fate.

12. Intro to Oedipus 11. Sophocles: 11. Sophocles: Writing Greek tragedies Writing Greek tragedies Inventing stage mechanics Inventing stage mechanics Conveying the concept that although we are predetermined and controlled by fate, we are responsible for our actions. Conveying the concept that although we are predetermined and controlled by fate, we are responsible for our actions.

13. Intro to Oedipus 12. There is a tragic hero who is a person of great position who suffers a downfall. The tragic hero initiates a series of events that causes his own downfall while the audience feels compassion and pity. 12. There is a tragic hero who is a person of great position who suffers a downfall. The tragic hero initiates a series of events that causes his own downfall while the audience feels compassion and pity.

14. Intro to Oedipus 13. 13. Tragic Hero: a person of great status who brings about his or her own downfall. Tragic Hero: a person of great status who brings about his or her own downfall. Tragic Flaw: the character trait that brings about a character’s downfall. Tragic Flaw: the character trait that brings about a character’s downfall.

15. Oedipus, Part 1 1. The plague and destruction is caused by the fact that Laius’s murderer is living in Thebes. 1. The plague and destruction is caused by the fact that Laius’s murderer is living in Thebes. 2. He solved the riddle of the sphinx and saved Thebes from the terror. 2. He solved the riddle of the sphinx and saved Thebes from the terror.

16. Oedipus, Part 1 3. He is a caring and sympathetic leader who cares about the suffering of his citizens. He also reveals himself to be a man of prompt action. 3. He is a caring and sympathetic leader who cares about the suffering of his citizens. He also reveals himself to be a man of prompt action.

17. Oedipus, Part 1 4. Oedipus is urgent and anxious. Creon is cautious, measured, and respectful. 4. Oedipus is urgent and anxious. Creon is cautious, measured, and respectful. 5. He was killed while on a journey, reportedly by robbers. 5. He was killed while on a journey, reportedly by robbers.

18. Oedipus, Part 1 6. Oedipus expresses patriotism, loyalty, confidence and courage, so he is a committed leader who takes an active hand in the best interests of the state. 6. Oedipus expresses patriotism, loyalty, confidence and courage, so he is a committed leader who takes an active hand in the best interests of the state.

19. Oedipus, Part 1 7. He thinks of himself as a stranger to the city and to the royal house, so he is admitting he knows nothing of the story and has nothing to do with the murder. 7. He thinks of himself as a stranger to the city and to the royal house, so he is admitting he knows nothing of the story and has nothing to do with the murder.

20. Oedipus, Part 1 8. It adds to his heroic stature because it shows an active effort to save the town. As a hero in Greek tragedy, he will meet his downfall as a result of his own actions and character traits. 8. It adds to his heroic stature because it shows an active effort to save the town. As a hero in Greek tragedy, he will meet his downfall as a result of his own actions and character traits.

21. Oedipus, Part 1 9. He wants Teiresias to reveal the names of the murderers. 9. He wants Teiresias to reveal the names of the murderers. 10. Teiresias reveals that Oedipus himself is the murderer. 10. Teiresias reveals that Oedipus himself is the murderer. 11. It would evoke pity and fear by hinting at Oedipus’s guilt under his own curse. 11. It would evoke pity and fear by hinting at Oedipus’s guilt under his own curse.

22. Oedipus, Part 2 There are three types of irony: There are three types of irony: 1. Verbal Irony: sarcasm (when a character says something but doesn’t mean it) 1. Verbal Irony: sarcasm (when a character says something but doesn’t mean it) 2. Situational Irony: when the opposite of what is expected happens. 2. Situational Irony: when the opposite of what is expected happens. 3. Dramatic Irony: when the audience knows information that the characters do not. 3. Dramatic Irony: when the audience knows information that the characters do not.

23. Oedipus, part 2 1. She prays to Apollo because she is disturbed by Oedipus’ behavior. 1. She prays to Apollo because she is disturbed by Oedipus’ behavior. 2. She is now convinced their prophecies are invalid and previously she was respectful of the gods. 2. She is now convinced their prophecies are invalid and previously she was respectful of the gods. 3. The readers know the prophecy has come true. 3. The readers know the prophecy has come true.

24. Oedipus, part 2 4. He reports that King Polybus is dead. 4. He reports that King Polybus is dead. 5. Readers know Laius and Jocasta pinned the baby Oedipus’ feet together and we watch Oedipus come one step closer to his identity. 5. Readers know Laius and Jocasta pinned the baby Oedipus’ feet together and we watch Oedipus come one step closer to his identity. 6. He was found on Mount Cithaeron. 6. He was found on Mount Cithaeron.

25. Oedipus, part 2 7. Jocasta now realizes the truth and knows Oedipus is the child she abandoned. 7. Jocasta now realizes the truth and knows Oedipus is the child she abandoned. 8. She prays he will not learn who he truly is. 8. She prays he will not learn who he truly is. 9. Oedipus wants the herdsman to confirm that the child given to him was he himself, Oedipus. 9. Oedipus wants the herdsman to confirm that the child given to him was he himself, Oedipus.

26. Oedipus, part 2 10. He threatens him with pain. 10. He threatens him with pain. 11. This shows the same quick temper we have seen before. 11. This shows the same quick temper we have seen before. 12. He is afraid to speak the terrible truth about Oedipus. 12. He is afraid to speak the terrible truth about Oedipus. 13. She had a fear that the oracle’s prophecy would come true. 13. She had a fear that the oracle’s prophecy would come true. 14. She committed suicide. 14. She committed suicide. 15. They have their sight but cannot bear to look at the blinded king. 15. They have their sight but cannot bear to look at the blinded king.

27. Oedipus, part 2 16. He believes he would have been better left for dead. 16. He believes he would have been better left for dead. 17. He has been banished and has left Thebes as he cursed Creon earlier. 17. He has been banished and has left Thebes as he cursed Creon earlier. 18. He wants to know what should be done with Oedipus. 18. He wants to know what should be done with Oedipus. 19. Creon may have taken pity on Oedipus and wants to allow him to say goodbye to his daughters. Creon is cautious but sympathetic. 19. Creon may have taken pity on Oedipus and wants to allow him to say goodbye to his daughters. Creon is cautious but sympathetic. 20. Oedipus begs Creon to protect his daughters and not allow them to become beggars. 20. Oedipus begs Creon to protect his daughters and not allow them to become beggars.