Oedipus Rex Summary/Points to consider
What you might need to know:
During the Prologue: this part of the play was normally read by a lone actor.
Oedipus calls the citizens of Thebes 'the children of Cadmus' because he was
the mythical character who founded the city, after slaying a dragon and
sowing its teeth to make the first inhabitants. Apollo is invoked because he
was the god of healing and a plague has blighted the city. Is Oedipus' pride
evident from the very first lines? Note any references to sight; it is
used throughout the play as a metaphor for insight.
Parodos:
At this point the Chorus would usually make their entrance.
First Scene (lines 245 - 526)
This scene is filled with many instances of dramatic irony. For example, when
Oedipus condemns the murder which has brought about the plague he is in
fact condemning himself (the man who unknowingly killed his own father and
took his mother as his wife). Note particularly the character Tiresias
who clearly knows more than he's letting on. Is he trying to protect
Oedipus?
First Stasimon (527 - 572) or closing of the scene:
The Chorus seems completely confused - are they following Tiresias or
Oedipus?
Second Scene (573 - 953)
Is Creon being admirable here? Why should Oedipus have such a strange
reaction to Jocasta's account of her lost child? What is the significance of her
baby's ankles having been pinned? (Oedipus means 'swollen ankles' - a major
clue, but why doesn't he make the connection?).
The reference to the 'sacred dance' (line 895) refers to the god Bacchus (aka
Dionysus), god of wine, changing seasons and frenzy.
Third Scene (998 - 1214)
Consider Jocasta's ongoing aspersion of oracles in the light of what is about
to happen. At what point does she begin to suspect the truth? Why does
Oedipus remain ignorant? Note the way the Chorus takes Oedipus' hope and
runs with it, imagining him to be the foundling son of a god.
Fourth Scene (1215 - 1310)
Aristotle believed Oedipus Rex to be the finest of all tragedies because the
protagonist's recognition of the truth coincides with the reversal of his
fortunes. Where exactly does this occur?
Fourth Stasimon (1311 - 1350)
Oedipus has become the paradigm of misfortune.
Fifth Scene (1351 - 1432)
What was Oedipus trying to do when he found his mother/wife dead? Is
Oedipus Rex Summary/Points to consider
blinding an appropriate (self) punishment?
Sixth Scene and Exodus (1499 - end)
Does anything surprise you about the way Oedipus views disaster in this
scene? Is Creon fair to Oedipus? Why do Oedipus' daughter remain so special
to him? What effect does blindness have open Oedipus' wisdom?
After reading:
Return now to the theme of fate which is central to this play (and indeed, all
Greek drama). Discuss the social attitudes that identify the ancient Greeks.
What are the Greek concerned about in this play? How did they feel about
prophesy, priests, the gods, and fate? How did pride (hubris) and arrogance
affect Oedipus' fate? What in his personality brought about his fate when
others tried to turn him away from it?
The Role of the Chorus
Greek tragedy is said to develop itself from the group of dancers and singers
who used to partake in the worship of various gods. According to Aristotle the
Chorus should be like one of the characters. Gradually the role of the Chorus
became less and less important in classical tragedy, until in Roman tragedy
the speeches of the Chorus were supposed to be made in between the acts.
Chorus discharges some broad functions in all classical tragedies. The
structure of a Greek tragedy is determined by the Chorus. After the prologue,
it is with the entry of the Chorus that a Greek tragedy begins. Various
episodes are also marked off by choric odes. The conclusion of a Greek
tragedy occurs with the exode or the exit song of the Chorus. It is the
function of the Chorus to comment on actions and events. It also sometimes
questions the characters. Its standard role is that of the moderator. At times
it represents the view-point of the common spectator and in some cases it
represents the view-point of the dramatist himself.
The functions of the Chorus are very well performed in Oedipus Rex. In the
very first ode the Chorus depicts the horror of the plague and expresses an
apprehension about the message from the oracle of Delphi. Other odes
comment on the action that has taken place after the last ode and build an
atmosphere appropriate to that stage of the play. It plays the role of a peacemaker between the king and Creon and succeeds in getting the king’s pardon
for the latter. After the exit of Teiresias it comments on the terrible
predictions which Teiresias has made but shows determination to support the
king. Its most significant response is when Oedipus and Jocasta have
expressed irreverent thoughts against the oracles. At many other times also
they reflect the dominant mood and help to deepen it. When Oedipus
imagines that he is the son of the goodness of luck, the Chorus, immediately
sing that their master, Oedipus, might be the son of Apollo.
Oedipus Rex Summary/Points to consider
In the fifth or last choric ode in Oedipus Rex, the Chorus reflects the dejection
of Oedipus and says that all the generations of moral man add up to nothing.
This ode must not be regarded as reflecting the final mood and impression of
the play, for the impression is as much of the greatness of the human spirit
as of the insignificance of man and the transitoriness of his happiness. This
ode must, therefore, be looked upon only as reflecting a final judgment of it.
Oedipus remains forceful even in his downfall; in a sense he is still heroic.
The Chorus takes part in the dialogues also. When Oedipus consults them
about ending the plague in the city, they express disappointment that the
oracle had not guided them about the identity of Laius’ murderer. They also
tell him what they know about the murder of their previous king and its
circumstances. When Creon, learning that the king has accused him of
treason, comes on the stage he talks to the Chorus, who tell him that the
king’s accusation was probably made in the heat of anger. Creon asked if the
king looked absolutely serious while making the charge and they rightly say
that it is not for them to look into the eyes of his master when he speaks.
When Oedipus has almost passed a sentence upon Creon, Jocasta arrives on
the scene and first talks to the Chorus . They request her to settle the
difference between the two men. They are worried when they see Jocasta
going into the palace in a very dejected mood, and they give expression to
their apprehension. Oedipus asks them about the shepherd who gave the
infant to the Corinthian, they answer that his queen would be able to answer
the question better. They sympathize with Oedipus when they see him after
he has blinded himself. It is clear, thus, that the Chorus never takes a direct
hand in the action. It does not consist only of spectators but influences the
action in various subtle ways.
The contribution of the Chorus in Oedipus Rex is considerable. They link the
play with common humanity. In some sense they are often in the position of
the ideal spectator. They fill in the gaps inthe action when no other character
is there on the stage. They add to it the element of melody which must have
been one of the attractions ofGreek tragedy. They provide an appropriate
shift between the titanic, heroic figure of Oedipus and the mass of common
humanity represented by the two shepherds in Oedipus Res. The tragedy of
Oedipus and its relevance to common life is very well stressed by theChorus
in its exit ode or exode.