Oedipus Rex
By
Sophocles
Journal Entry…Imagine
You have been summoned by a Greek oracle
to have your future told to you…what news
does she impart to you concerning your fate
and your destiny?
“The keenest sorrow is to recognize ourselves as the sole
cause of all our adversities”-Sophocles
http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/32970.html
Insight needed…
 1. Who was Sophocles?
 2. What seems to be Sophocles philosophy towards tragedy
itself?
Tragedy refers primarily to tragic drama that emphasizes
the imperfection of human beings whose suffering is
brought on by a combination of human and divine
actions. A tragic hero/protagonist is the recipient of this
suffering who acknowledges he/she has in someway
displeased/angered the gods and must make
retribution for his/her actions.
References

http://www.google.ca/search?gs_rn=26&gs_ri=psyab&cp=6&gs_id=s&xhr=t&q=sophocles&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.51495398,d.cWc&biw=1366&bih=594&um=1&ie=UTF8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=QKIkUpTTMdOssASKtohttp://www.google.ca/search?gs_rn=26&gs_ri=psyab&cp=6&gs_id=s&xhr=t&q=sophocles&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.51495398,d.cWc&biw=1366&bih=594&um=1&ie=UTF8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=QKIkUpTTMdOssASKtoCADACADA

http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/32970.html

https://www.google.ca/search?gs_rn=27&gs_ri=psyab&cp=11&gs_id=18&xhr=t&q=oracle+of+delphi&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.52434380,d.b2I&biw=1366&bih=594&dpr=1&um=1&ie=UTF8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=kYw_UtGwDKGQ2QWN94H4AQ
Sophocles
Greek
Dramatist:
Posthumously
honored as a
hero.
http://www.google.ca/search?gs_rn=26&gs_ri=psyab&cp=6&gs_id=s&xhr=t&q=sophocles&bav=on.2,or.r_
qf.&bvm=bv.51495398,d.cWc&biw=1366&bih=594&u
m=1&ie=UTF8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=QKI
kUpTTMdOssASKtoCADA
Sophocles:
Playwright
Born 496 BC
Died 406 BC Athen’s Greece
Parents: Sophilus
Father thought to be a wealthy
nobleman
Grew up in town of Colonus and
educated in Athens
Sophocles is one of three ancient Greek
tragedians whose plays have survived.
His first plays were written later than
those of Aeschylus, and earlier than or
contemporary with those of Euripides
Public Office: Managed treasury of
Greeks-Delian League
Strategos General of Samian War(441439BC) and Archidamian War (431421BC)
Seven Complete tragedies:
Oedipus Tyrannes, Oedipus at Colonus,
Antigone, Electra, Trachinia, Ajax
& Philoctetes
Fragments of 90 others approximatley
survived
Religious Office: priest of Halon,helped
introduce cult of Asciepius, god of
medicine to Athens.
The Greek Gods
 The Olympian gods were the main gods of Ancient Greece. After
overthrowing their ancestors, the Titans, the Olympian gods became
the rulers of the World (Cosmos), representing the civilization of the
world. The leader of the Olympian gods was Zeus.
 The gods were born and grew just like human beings, some of them
even married, however they were unaging and death never came to
them. They lived inside human-like bodies with an ethereal fluid called
ichor running through the veins. They had passions and human
weaknesses and were many times at fault, but were then obliged to
take the full responsibility of their actions.
 Greek myths always refer to the twelve Gods of Mount Olympus, but
actually, in total there were more Olympian Gods in Greek Mythology.
However, there were never more than twelve at one time. The four
alternative gods were Hestia, Hades, Dionysus and Demeter,
depending on the location.
Mount Olympus
The Olympian gods majestically and democratically dwelled on Mount Olympus,
the highest mountain in Greece, built by the Cyclopes.
Cyclopes
Characteristics of the gods
 Did you know…
1. Were born and grew just like human
beings
2. Some of them even married
3. Never aged…no need for Botox!
4. Never died…immortal…they could
always get even!
5. They lived inside human-like bodies
with an ethereal fluid called ichor
running through the veins. IMAGINE!
6.They had passions and human
weaknesses and were many times at
fault…their lives were like soap operas!!
7.BUT they had to take the full
responsibility of their actions and
suffered punishment and retribution.
Glossary of Terms








Agon: is the Greek word for 'conflict.'
City Dionysia: Dionysia, a festival held in Athens, which includes a tragedy competition.
Dramatic irony: a situation in which the characters on stage do not know something (or
some of them do not know something) which the audience does know. Dramatic irony
recurs throughout Oedipus - for instance, when the Messenger suggests that he never
killed the young baby that Jocasta had given him, signifying that he clearly had grown up
to become Oedipus the King. Oedipus, however, does not realize this until much later.
Oikos: the Greek word for 'household' or 'house' - often used to mean 'bloodline' or
'family'. It is the opposite to 'polis'.
Polis: usually translated to 'city-state', but as well as literally referring to the city, it can
also be the Greek word for 'citizenship', or 'body of citizens'.
Satyr play: is the fourth, probably comic, play that would have been performed after a
trilogy and written by the same author. The only surviving satyr play is Euripides'
Cyclops.
Skene: the permanent stone building at the back of the stage in which costumes and
props could be stored, and which served variously as the internal locations that the play
might require (houses, tents, etc.).
Thebes: is the city in which the play is set and is often set up in classical literature as the
'other' or 'opposite' to Athens, where the City Dionysia took place.
Literary Devices: Know your terms!
Found in your glossary hand out and given in slides that follow
Irony
Situational irony
Verbal irony
Dramatic irony: The audience know more about the characters situation
than the character does
Hubris
Catharsis
Pathos
Moira:
Prologue
Parodos
Episode
Odes
Exodus
Archetype
Literary Devices
Irony & Hubris
Irony: A literary device in which an audience can perceive hidden
meanings unknown to the characters.
Verbal irony: occurs when what a character says or thinks he or she
means is actually different from what the audience perceives is meant.
Dramatic irony: audience knows more about the character’s situation
than the character does.
Hubris : tragic flaw , pride, error in judgment).
How did Oedipus anger the gods?
Let the Legend of Thebes begin…
The Theban Legend
Read
pages
23-24
of
text
Family Tree
Cadmus
[
Polydorus
[
Latdacus
[
Laius
Laius......................................Jocasta
[
Oedipus
[
Oedipus + Jocasta { mother & wife}
________________________________
[
[
[
[
Eteocles
Polynices
Ismene
Antigone
Creon......................Eurydice
[
Haemon
+
Antigone
What does the name Oedipus mean?
Is it an example of foreshadowing?
Answer:
Swollen foot
How is symbolic?
• Scarred
•Has fate marked
him from birth?
•Has it set him
apart?
•Has Apollo
ensured his fate
by constraining
his movements
since birth ?
Oedipus at the Oracle
 The Oracle tells him:
“You will grow up to kill
your father and marry
your mother.”
 Terrified at this prophecy,
Oedipus vows leaves never
Corinth.
 Believing Polybus and
Merope are his real parents,
he swears never to return
to Corinth.
 During his travels, Oedipus
comes to a place where
three roads meet.
Where Three Roads Meet: How is it an
example of Symbolism?
Encounters King Laius
 He encounters the royal company of King Laius.
 Oedipus refuses to step aside to let them pass.
 The King’s chariot driver rides over Oedipus’
foot.
 In a fit of rage, Oedipus kills everyone in sight,
except for one servant who escaped.
 Unbeknownst to Oedipus, he killed his own
father fulfilling part of his destiny.
 Oedipus continues his journey.
Theban Legend
Legendhttps://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1366&bih=594&q=oedipus+foo&oq=oedipus+foo&gs_l=img.12..0i24.915.4231.0.6287.11.7.0.4.
4.0.177.1002.0j7.7.0....0...1ac.1.27.img..0.11.1109.hPE10xMX8cU#hl=en&q=oedipus+foot&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=4MsLSwWUm2V0cM%3A%3B75tHTlBUvUtEyM%3Bhttp
%253A%252F%252Fpersonal.monm.edu%252Fysample%252Fimages%252Foedipus3.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.pathguy.com%252Foedipus.htm%3B733%3B969
Introducing something to sing about…
The Greek Chorus
Background to Greek Theater
Greek Tragedy
Characteristics of
Classical Greek
Tragedy:
I. Prologue
II. Parodos
III. Chorus
IV. Episodes
V. Odes
VI. Exodus
Greek Chorus in Oedipus
https://www.google.c+oedipus&oq=greek+chorus+in+oedipus&gs_l=img.12...1701.8321.0.10250.23.14.0.9.9.0.175.2128.0j14.14.0....0...1ac.1.27.img..7.16.214a/search?hl=en&site=im
ghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1366&bih=594&q=greek+chorus+in5.r5S-D8OW0Gw
The Greek Chorus
 Began as large as 50, then smaller in
size as actors become more
predominate ( sometimes asmall as 5) .
 They provided time for:
 scene changes
 introduced background
 Gave summary information.
 Acts as a spectator to the action.
 Asks questions, takes part in the play
 Heightens dramatic effect through
movement, song and dance
 Rhythmical Function-pauses/paces the
action so audience can reflect and
actors can rest/prepare

* slide from Mrs. Chaulk PPT
The Chorus
 Song: Job of the chorus who
sang their lines - Odes.
 Strophe
 Antistrophe
 The strophe was sung as
chorus moved from right
to left ( movement on the
stage)
 The antistrophe was sung
as they moved from left to
right. This provide visual
symmetry and balancewhat was equal on one
side of the stage had to
be equal on the other side
of the stage as the chorus
moved in the opposite
direction.
Functions of the Chorus
To fulfill four functions in Greek Tragedy:
1. To provide a passage in TIME
2. To express PUBLIC OPINION
3. EXPOSITION- to explain the action or fill in information
4. To establish the MOOD and comment on the significance of the
ACTION.
The chorus also provide a moral or religious function to the drama
reminding people that plays were written for the gods and illustrated that
divine law was above mortal/state law. The dramatic function of the
chorus is to exemplify and stress emotions of the drama: grief, anguish,
pain, suffering, fears and hopes.
Examples of the chorus fulfilling the
functions of tragedy
1. To provide a
passage in time
2.To express public
opinion
3.Exposition
4. To establish mood
& comment on
significance of the
action.
5. The chorus
provided a moral
lesson.
p.
1. Example:_______________________
p.
2. Example:_______________________
p.
3. Example:________________________
4.Example:_________________________
p.
p.
5. Quote last entry:
Catharsis
To achieve purgation of emotions means to achieve catharsis -the
emotional bonding of the audience to the characters.
Catharsis is the emotional release in drama or art - the feeling of
repressed emotion.
It means the audience is drawn emotionally into the drama and
feels with and for the tragic hero.
Catharsis can only be achieved if the
following points are met:
 i) the hero accepts responsibility for his downfall because




of a tragic flaw (hubris, pride, error in judgment).
ii) order is restored at the conclusion of the drama as the
consequence of the catastrophe (a disastrous happening,
event and/or end).
iii) the audience feels horror and pity at the plight of the
hero- his/her destruction and the punishment of those
who are innocent. The audience experiences pathos
iv) the dignity of man is shown
v) the audience sees the relentlessness of fate- the gods
Catharsis
The audience
feels horror
and pity at the
plight of the
hero- his/her
destruction
and the
punishment of
those who are
innocent. The
audience
experiences
pathos
Pathos, Moira, Foil
 Pathos: the emotional quality in a work that arouses pity,
sadness or compassion, and/or sympathy. An experience
which arouses feelings of fear, pity, sympathy and
compassion.
 Moira: stems from the Greek word for fate.
 Foil: a character whose qualities or actions serve to
emphasize those of another character
(protagonist)…provides a strong contrast to that character.
 Archetype: a recurrent symbol or motif in literature or art.
For example, Oedipus, the tragic hero, Teiresias the wise,
old man…any others?
May be a character type, theme, image or particular
pattern of events.
Please
Put away all phones
Time: Set in the mythical past of ancient GreeceTime
Place: Colonus in Colonus (near Athens).
15 years later…
Tone
 Tragic
 Fearful
 Ominous
 Find evidence from the text…
 Diction
 Dialogue
 Quotes
Breakdown of Play
Breakdown of Play
Applicable Lines
 Prologue
 Parodos
 1st Episode (develops the main
 lines 1-150
 lines 151-215
 lines 216-462
















action)
1st Stasimon (song)
2nd Episode
2nd Stasimon
3rd Episode
3rd Stasimon
4th Episode
4th Stasimon
Exodus
lines 463-511
lines 518-862
lines 863-910
lines 911-1082
lines 1083-1112
lines 1113-1185
lines 1186-1222
lines 1223-1530
Prologue
 The purpose of the prologue was to explain events
that took place before the action of the play. It is a
scene which usually introduces the conflict of the play.
Sophocles reveals this information through dialogue
( his contemporaries often used monologues).
Parodos
 Parodos: The Parodos follows the Prologue and marked




the entrance of the Chorus. The Chorus is responsible for
introducing themselves, exposing central drama and
establishing the right mood. The chorus is a participating
character in Sophocles’ plays. The group often interacts
with principal characters, engaging in dialogue. The
choragus, or chorus leader, often speaks for the entire
chorus in the moments. They usually fulfill four functions
in Greek Tragedy:
1. To provide a passage in TIME
2. To express PUBLIC OPINION
3. EXPOSITION- to explain the action or fill in information
4. To establish the MOOD and comment on the
significance of the ACTION.
Scene 1:Ode I
 Ode 1: The episode, anywhere from three to six,
develop the main action.
 The episodes are separated by the odes - choral
songs or stasima. The odes supply exposition,
comment on the action, and contribute to thematic
development. They can also suggest a passage of
time. Remember the odes are sung by the chorus so
note the previous information concerning the four
functions of the chorus.
 List the issues discussed in first ode. ( #12 Question on sheet)
Scene 2
 Sophocles is a master of
exposition, and the
speeches of Jocasta and
Oedipus (concerning
their respective pasts)
are excellent example of
his craft. Show how this
statement is true.
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589.19.8.0.11.11.0.211.1254.0j7j1.8.0....0...1ac.1.27.img..0.19.1510.B8EoPZHSP0o
Scene 2:Ode II
Ode II
 Ode II:
 Of what does Ode II
warn against? Why is
the oracle of Delphi
important? How does
one attain revelation?

Question #22 on your sheet
Scene 3, Ode III
 How does this ode
show that the chorus
views their king (as King
Oedipus view himself)
as a child of luck and
good fortune? (Question #30 on
sheet)
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s%252Foedipusplot.html%3B640%3B480
Scene 4: Ode 4
 How does the chorus react in the fourth choral ode to
Oedipus’ turn of fortune? (Question #35)
 How does the chorus expand on the theme of illusion
and reality? (Question #36)
Jocasta
 Her own hand did it. You
have not seen,
And shall not see, this
worst, shall suffer the less.
But I that saw, will
remember, and will tell
what I remember
Of her last agony.
 P. 60
Oedipus to Chorus
…I ask to be no other man /Than that I am, and
will know who I am.p.55
Oedipus
The king saw too, and with
heart-rending groans
Untied the rope, and laid her
to the ground.
But worse was yet to see. Her
dress pinned
With golden brooches, which
the king snatched out
And thrust, from full arm’s
length, -into his eyes
Eyes that should no longer see
his shame, his guilt, (p.61)
Exodus
 Why do the play’s most
violent acts occur off
stage?
(Question #37)
Denouement
 What finally happens to everyone?
 Jocasta
 Oedipus
 Creon
Chorus: Then learn that mortal man
must always look to his ending
p. 68
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_liBW1uQiZHtM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww2.cnr.edu%252Fhome%252Fbmcmanus%252Foedipusplot.gif%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.cnr.edu%252Fhome%252Fbmcmanus%2
52Foedipusplot.html%3B640%3B480
Overview
Brainstorming
List the complications:
Complication
Match to literary device
Structure of Greek Drama and Sophocles’ Plays
The structure of Greek Drama:
1. Violence and death offstage
2. Frequent use of messengers to relate information
3. Usually a single place (setting)
4. Stories based on myth or history, but varied interpretations of both
Characteristics of a Sophocles’ play:
1. Emphasis on individual characters
2. Reduced role of the Chorus
3. Complex characters, psychological well-motivated
4. Characters subjected to crisis which leads to suffering and self-recognition
5. Common Theme: The choices people make and consequences
Slide courtesy of Mrs. Chaulk
GROUP DISCUSSION
Groups of 4
Fate and Destiny:
If fate and destiny
determines everything
an individual will do
before they are born,
as Oedipus the King
suggests, then of what
crime is Oedipus
guilty? If you believe in
fate can you believe in
free will?
What role do the gods play
in fate, destiny and free
will?
Conflict
The major conflict of Oedipus the King arises when
Teiresias tells Oedipus that Oedipus is responsible for
the plague, and Oedipus refuses to believe him. The
major conflict of Oedipus at Colonus is between
Oedipus and Creon. Creon has been told by the oracle
that only Oedipus’s return can bring an end to the civil
strife in Thebes—Oedipus’s two sons, Eteocles and
Polynices, are at war over the throne. Oedipus, furious
at Thebes for exiling him, has no desire to return.
Conflict between Oedipus and Teiresias
Read pp.34-38
Note Oedipus responses…
 The major conflict of




Oedipus the King:
Teiresias tells Oedipus that
Oedipus is responsible for
the plague, and Oedipus
refuses to believe him. As
the soothsayer says…
You are the cursed polluter
of this land. P.35
The truth is my defense. P.35
I say the killer you are
seeking is yourself. P.36
External Conflict
 External-the gods are angry!
 You too have seen our city’s
affliction, caught in a tide of
death from which there is no
escapingDeath in the fruitful
flowering of her soil, Death
in the pastures; Death in the
womb of woman; And
pestilence…
- Priest to Oedipus p.26-his
plea continues…
- Save, Save our city, and keep
her safe forever
 The banishment of a man,
or payment of blood for
blood./For the shedding of
the blood is the cause of our
city’s peril…We has a
king,sir, before you came to
lead us./His name was
Laius…He was killed. And
clearly the message of the
god’s command/Is that we
bring the unknown killer to
justice.- Creon to Oedipus
p.28
Against the gods and society
 Oedipus: "Lead me
quickly away out of this
land. I am lost, hated of
gods, no man so damned.“
p.63
 Other examples:
Interpersonal
 Oedipus: "Creon! Was this
trick his, then if not
yours?“p.36
 Teiresias: “You are the
cursed polluter of this
land.” p.35

 Discuss
Internal Conflict
 Oedipus: "O light! May I
never look on you again,
revealed as I am, sinful in
my begetting, Sinful in
marriage, sinful in
shedding of blood." p.58
 Oedipus: Out of this land,
out of the sight of man.p.65
 Brainstorm examples
Irony
 Irony of Oedipus’ decree
 Reasons for irony:
 Creates supense
 Character relevation
 What ironies underline
the messenger’s
appearance? Add to irony
page. (#24)
 Illustrates theme
 Illustrates foreshadowing
Dramatic Irony
 Find examples
of dramatic
irony and cite
respective
quotes:
1. Creon: Good news. That Is to say that good
may come/Even out of painful matters, if
all goes well.p.28
2. Oedipus: And it is my solemn prayer/That
the unknown murderer, and his
accomplices, If such there be , may wear
the brand of shame/For their shameful act,
unfriended ,to their life’s end. /Nor do I
exempt myself from the imprecation" p.32
3. Oedipus :Now that I hold the place that he
once held-/His bed, his wife-whose
children, had fate so willed…I man to fight
for him now, as I would fight /For my own
father, and leave no way untried/To bring
to light the killer of Laius. pp.32-33
Dramatic Irony
 Oedipus to Chorus:“I
mean to fight for him now,
as I would fight for my
own father. P.33
 Discuss
Irony
Does it have a
reversal of
situationperipeteia reversal of
fortune?
 Discuss
Oedipus
 You Tube Video
Aristotle
Aristotle
Greek Philosopher
384-322
B.C.
Words
from
Aristotle
Used Greek drama to establish characteristics of tragedy
Characteri
stics of
tragedy
All tragedy MUST have song, spectacle, thought, plot,
diction and characters.
Tragedy...is an imitation of an action that is serious, complete,
and of a certain magnitude- through pity and fear, effecting the
proper purgation emotions.
Definition of a Tragic Hero
A tragic hero is someone of high or noble birth, virtuous but not
preeminently just, who through some flaw (hubris), precipitates
his/her own destruction and therefore gains knowledge through
suffering.
 Tragic Figure:
 1. Noble birth or high position ......................... has something to
lose
 2. Virtuous or essentially good..........................motivation is
unselfish/ good for the state
 3. Tragic flaw or weakness .............................. hubrisstubborn/excessive pride
 4. Individual learns lesson through suffering..... learns and
admits he/she is wrong->self-knowledge and accepts
responsibility and lives with guilt of actions
http://lagcc-cuny.digication.com/anisas_eport/ENG_265
http://lagcc-cuny.digication.com/anisas_eport/ENG_265
Oedipus as a Tragic Hero-give examples
 Definition of a Tragic Hero: A tragic hero is someone of high or
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noble birth, virtuous but not preeminently just, who through
some flaw (hubris), precipitates his/her own destruction and
therefore gains knowledge through suffering.
Tragic Figure:
1. Noble birth or high position ...................... has something to
lose
2. Virtuous or essentially good...motivation is unselfish/ good for
the state
3. Tragic flaw or weakness ................ Hubris (stubborn/excessive
pride)
4. Individual learns lesson through suffering..... learns and
admits he/she is wrong (self-knowledge and accepts
responsibility and lives with guilt of actions)
Oedipus
1.
Find examples and quotes
that show the development
of Oedipus for all the stages
that follow and connect
development to proving
Oedipus as classical tragic
hero
 Initial character
 Of noble birth / high position
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- Virtuous
How are we introduced to
him?
Savior of city of Thebes
Solver of riddles-Sphinx and
Bent on discovering the
truth- murder of Laius to
save city from pestilence and
plague to placate the gods.
How he engages in conflict
2.
Conflict
 Rash and proud of
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Conspiracy theory
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power
?
?
Suspicious of those
around him:
Tiresias -?
 Creon-?
Character change continued
Confident in own
intelligence
 Example:
 Disdainful of prophecy-
 Disdainful of prophecy-
Teiresias
Teiresias
Forces of Change
Oedipus’ quest for truth brings
tragedy
 Hubris- What is his tragic flaw?
 Confident in own intelligence
 Disdainful of prophecy-
Teiresias
Oedipus’ downfall occurs
His suspicion of others proves to
be an error in judgment
 Ex: Teiresias
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Creon
 Inscrutability of power and
divine purpose proven Oracles and Teiresias proven to
be true- vindicated
Character Change…can you find quotes
to support?
 Appalled by truth but
still determined to face
it
 Self knowledge
 Humbled and accepting
of his shame
 Grateful to others and
trusting
 Laments his ignorance
 Respects power of fate,
gods and prophets
 Wisdom gained through
suffering
Review of Characters
 Key players: Role of Oedipus, Jocasta, Creon and
Teiresias
 http://www.litcharts.com/lit/oedipus-rex/characters
Character- Oedipus
Oedipus to Thebes: “I grieve for you, my children.”
pg 27
 Oedipus – Long before the play begins, Oedipus became
king of Thebes by solving the riddle of the Sphinx. His
sharp mind and quickness to action have made him an
admired and successful leader. When the priests come to
petition him after a plague strikes the city, he has already
set into motion two plans to deal with the city's crisis.
Throughout the play, he makes decisions boldly and
quickly, if not always wisely. In his attempts to discover the
truth about the murder of Laius, he falsely accuses Creon
and Teiresias of treachery, and even forces the reluctant
shepherd to tell his story, which publicly reveals Oedipus to
be the murderer and husband of his own mother. The
same leadership skills that have brought him fame and
success—decisive action, a desire to solve mysteries using
his intellect—drive him to his own destruction.
Quotes revealing character and tragedy
of Oedipus
 Priest: “Your diligence saved us once … save our city, and keep her safe
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forever”p.26
Oedipus to Thebes: “I grieve for you, my children.” p.27
Oedipus to Chorus: “I mean to fight for him now, as I would fight for
my own father.” p. 33
Chorus to audience: “Never therefore, will I consent to think him other
than good.” p.39
Creon to Oedipus: “Can you believe this obstinacy does you any
good?” p.40
Chorus to Oedipus: “Good words; and fitting for a prudent man” p.42
Chorus to audience: “…O Oedipus, that proud head.” p.59
Chorus to audience: “Oedipus, greatest of men…was envied by all his
fellow-men for his great prosperity” p.68
Slide courtesy of Mrs. Chaulk
Jocasta
 Jocasta – Wife of Oedipus. Also, mother of Oedipus.
When the play begins, she no longer believes in the
prophecies of seers. She tries to convince Oedipus not
to worry about what Teiresias says. As more evidence
points toward the probability that Oedipus has in fact
fulfilled a terrible prophecy, she begs him not to dig
any further into his past. He will not be persuaded.
Realizing that her son killed her first husband, that she
is now married to her son, and that Oedipus is about
to bring all of this to light, Jocasta takes her own life.
Creon
 Creon – Brother of Jocasta. Whereas Oedipus is the
charismatic leader who speaks openly in front of his
people, Creon is more political and perhaps more
scheming. Creon is offended and alarmed when
Oedipus accuses him of treason, but he speaks calmly
and tries to show the error of the accusation by
appealing to Oedipus's sense of reason. At the end of
the play, however, he is more than willing to step into
the power vacuum after Oedipus's terrible fate has
been revealed. Even then, however, he cautiously
makes sure to follow the dictates of the gods, rather
than to trying to resist fate as Oedipus has done.
Teiresias
 Teiresias – The blind prophet or seer. He knows that
the terrible prophecy of Oedipus has already come
true, but doesn't want to say what he knows. Only
when Oedipus accuses him of treachery does Teiresias
suggest that Oedipus himself is guilty of the murder of
King Laius. He leaves Oedipus with a riddle that
implies, plainly enough for the audience to
understand, that Oedipus has killed his father and
married his mother.
The Chorus
 The Chorus – In this play, the chorus represents the
elder citizens of Thebes, reacting to the events of the
play. The chorus speaks as one voice, or sometimes
through the voice of its leader. It praises, damns,
cowers in fear, asks or offers advice, and generally
helps the audience interpret the play.
Minor Characters
•Foil and contrast
•Use character analysis
chart from graphic
organizer)
Priest
 A Priest – He comes to the royal house to tell Oedipus
of the city's suffering and to ask Oedipus to save
Thebes once more.
Priest: Let us pray at Phoebus,
From whom the answer came, himself may come
To save and deliver out of her heavy afflictions.(p.30)
Messenger
 A Messenger – The messenger from Corinth informs
Oedipus that King Polybus and Queen Merope of
Corinth were not his actual parents. The messenger
himself gave Oedipus as a baby to the Corinthian king
and queen. He got the baby from a Theban shepherd
whom he met in the woods. Oedipus's ankles were
pinned together at the time—in Greek, the name
"Oedipus" means "swollen ankles.“
 Messenger: The infirmity in your ankle tells the tale
p.54
Shepherd
 A Shepherd – The former
servant of King Laius who
took pity on the baby
Oedipus and spared his
life. The shepherd was
also an eyewitness to the
death of King Laius. When
Oedipus commands the
shepherd to tell him what
he knows about Oedipus's
origins, the shepherd
refuses, and only relents
under punishment of
death.
Antigone & Ismene
 Antigone – Daughter of Oedipus and half-sister of
Oedipus. Still a small child in Oedipus Rex, Antigone
appears at the end to bid farewell to her father. She is
the main character of Sophocles's Antigone.
 Ismene – Daughter of Oedipus and half-sister of
Oedipus. Like Antigone, Ismene is a small child and
appears only at the end of the play when her father
says goodbye to her.
Imagery
 Sight versus blind imagery
 Insight
 Find three examples and quote reference of blind imagery:
 Oedipus
 Teiresias
 Chorus
Symbols
Oedipus’ foot
Three roadway cross
Explain
 Explain
Tragic
 Discuss: Setting, Mood, Atmosphere & Tone
Chorus: Sons and daughters of Thebes, behold: this was
Oedipus, Greatest of men; he held the key to the deepest
mysteries p.68
Themes
 Fate and destiny: The fate and destiny of the individual lies
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in the hands and will of the divine gods.
Knowledge is only gained through suffering
Suffering is necessary if wisdom and self-knowledge are to
be attained and the gods to be appeased.
Truth is desirable over illusion for the achievement of selfrealization, self- knowledge and wisdom ( one cannot
ignore the truth such Jocasta & Oedipus tried to do)
To know thyself is to know truth.
Wisdom and love of the gods are the only means to
happiness.
The obedience to the gods- the unwritten law-comes
before and above the state.
What Dante wrote about Banishment-
You shall leave everything you love most. This is the
arrow that the bow of exile shoots first.
17th Canto of Paradise
The Divine Comedy
Question Sheet
 Questions
 Discussion Questions
 Essay Questions
Quotes
 Hand out & those on power point slides
 What was your favorite quote?
 For test find one quote for each literary element. Note find
quotes that can be used for more than one literary device.
For example:
 And it is my solemn prayer/That the unknown murderer,
and his accomplices, If such there be , may wear the brand
of shame/For their shameful act, unfriended ,to their life’s
end. /Nor do I exempt myself from the imprecation" Oedipus to Chorus p.32
 Character revelation, dramatic irony and alludes to the
god’s anger and demands for retribution (external conflict).
Assessments:
1.TEST: An expository essay –demand writing
2. Quote quiz or group worksheet
3. Listening and viewing assignment
Assignment Choices:
Listening and Viewing
Directions
Individual Choices
 As individuals, pairs or in
 Create a symbolic mask for one of
groups of three do one of
the following activities. Note
Individual is indicated for
some choices and pairs and
groups for others due to
time constraints for
presentations. Also students
may make their own
suggestions but each choice
is limited to specific
numbers so we have a
variety of projects.
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the major characters:
Oedipus, Jocasta, or Teiresias.
A painting or photo essay
illustrating the plot, blind imagery,
conflict, theme and/ or character
development.
Monologue by Jocasta, Creon or
Teiresias.
A farewell letter written to Oedipus
from Jocasta
Horoscope in an ancient Greek
newspaper depicting the destinies of
all characters in Oedipus The King.
See p.25 of text.
Assignment Choices
Pair
Group
 A puppet show,
Write a modern day soap
opera on the trials and
tribulations of Oedipus.
Write a rap depicting the
encounter between
Jocasta and Laius over the
prophecy concerning their
son or one outlining the
irony found in Oedipus.
Jeopardy Game on
Oedipus Rex
dramatic scene or
cartoon strip illustrating
the conflict between
Jocasta and Oedipus
Or Teiresias and Oedipus
Or Creon and Oedipus.
 Do a scene with the
oracle.
Due Date
October
Destiny awaits …What does your oracle
say?
May you please the
gods with your
creativity, punctuality
and genius for if they
are angered what
fate will befall you ?
P.S. The oracle knows
where you live!