READING LOG
Title: Oedipus Rex
Author: Sophocles
Publication Date: 5th century B.C.E
Genre: Greek/Classical Tragedy
Setting of the Story: City of Thebes
Themes:
PARADOX of sight vs. blindness /knowledge vs. ignorance
Identity Quest and Man’s place in the universe—universal and timeless
Fate Vs. Freedom—dog and chain theory—consequences of choice
Hubris Is Man’s Downfall
Hubris—pride leads to your downfall
Detective story—mystery of who dunnit, search for truth, plot twist, detective is
Oedipus, victim is Laius/Oedipus, murderer is Oedipus, witness, realization
Plot Summary:
This is the story of Oedipus who discovers he has killed his father
and married his mother while trying to avoid the Oracle forewarning him of his fate.
Characters:
Oedipus…tragic hero
Jocasta…mother/wife (what would story be from her POV?)
Creon…brother in law/uncle
Teiresias…blind prophet (archetype of the prophet or seer who guides protagonist on his
journey)
Laius…father/king
Messenger
Chorus
Conventions of Tragedy:
Chorus…functions in many ways (voice of the author, adds movement, represents
people, help with pacing, etc.)
Stichomythia..cut and thrust dialogue (style vs. theme)
No lighting effects…day performances
Masks—amplifies voice and expression
Male actors…only a few
Aristotelian Unities (time, place, action)
Peripeteia and Anagnorisis (reversal of circumstances and knowledge or
enlightenment)
Deus ex Machina (man in the machine…implausible ending)
Catharsis (purging of emotions PITY and FEAR)
Hamartia (false step leading to downfall)
Plot is the most important element
Distinguishing Characteristics of the Work:
(1) Peripeteia and Anagnorisis occur at the same time (change in circumstance and
enlightenment happen at the moment Oedipus discovers who he really is)
(2) Unities are adhered (one day, one place, all action focused on finding killer)
(3) Aristotle claims it is the perfect tragedy
(4) Tragic hero has flaw of hubris which leads to his downfall. He is noble and
essentially good.
(5) Catharsis occurs…audience pities Oedipus because it is not entirely his fault, but
we are relieved it is not us. We fear that if one as high-standing as Oedipus could
fall, then it could happen to us.
(6) Broader significance? The search for truth and one’s true self is the ultimate goal
of any individual…Oedipus’s willingness to defy fate/destiny is admirable
Tone:
Serious work arousing pity and fear in audience.
Structure:
Prologue…background/opening
Parados…chorus enters
Episode…plot develops and thickens
Stasimon/Ode…end/chorus views given
Exodus…Final action
Your response to the style and content of the work:
Glad it happens to Oedipus and not me
Believe that if it can happen to someone as noble and high standing as Oedipus, then
it could happen to anyone
Pity and fear is aroused
Hubris or excessive arrogance/pride can be man’s downfall
Man is fated to a particular end, but he has freedom to make choices along the way
and must ultimately be responsible for the consequences of his choices.