Name: ____________________________________
Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex Essay Assignment
Possible topics for thesis development:
 Explore and explain a significant theme, motif, or issue:
o Tragedy: Does Oedipus fulfill Aristotle’s requirements of a tragedy?
o Fate vs. Free Will: Is Oedipus solely responsible for his own downfall? Is Fate (or
the gods) the only thing to blame?
o The Quest for Truth: Where does the incessant quest for truth lead Oedipus? Is
this search a positive thing? What is the significance of those who tell the truth vs.
those who hide from or seem to ignore it?
o Sight vs. Blindness/ Light vs. Dark/ Sleep vs. Awake/ Night vs. Day: Do the
literal and figurative references to these images/motifs serve as a symbol for
something? How do they contribute to the play overall?
 A character analysis:
o Does Oedipus fulfill the requirements of a tragic hero?
o Examine Oedipus’ tragic flaw: hubris. Is his pride responsible for his downfall?
Are there other possible flaws?
o Is Oedipus an entirely compassionate or entirely arrogant character or both? How
do these character traits contribute to the tragedy?
o Over the entrance to the temple at Delphi are inscribed the words “know thyself.”
Defend the statement that Oedipus is the classic example of the man whose
central problem is that he does not know himself.
o A character comparison: Compare and contrast two different characters. How are
their differences significant? (Consider Creon and Oedipus or other possibilities.)
 Explore a literary element:
o Irony: How does irony contribute to the play and what is its effect on the
audience?
o Imagery/Symbolism: How is the seafaring imagery significant? How are the sight
and light metaphors significant?
 Other ideas?
Paper Requirements:
Length: a minimum of 1½ pages; five paragraphs
Format: MLA Format (see http://owl.english.purdue.edu for MLA guidance), typed,
double-spaced, 12 pt. font, 1 inch margins, proper heading, title
Evaluation: A rubric will be distributed. Development and support of your essay will be
the main focal point for evaluation; therefore, you must use quotes to support your main
points. Be sure to proofread your paper!
Important Dates:
Thesis and outline due:
_________________________
Rough Draft Due for peer revision: _________________________
Final Draft Due:
_________________________