English 9R
Character
Oedipus the King Literature Review
By Sophocles
Characterization/Motivation/Conflict
Additional Literary Elements
Oedipus—King of Thebes, concerned and arrogant, hubristic
Motivation—to rid the city of the plague and help save Thebes. As
the story goes on Oedipus loses control, shows hubris, “I am the
almighty Oedipus…defender of the Sphinx”
Conflict—fate and his hubris (unable to see the truth)
Resolution—finds out his prophecy came true (killed dad), stabs eyes
out
Jocasta—Queen of Thebes, Wife and mother of Oedipus
Motivation—to stop Oedipus from finding the truth
Conflict—truth – hangs herself
Creon—brother of Jocasta, Oedipus’ uncle
Motivation—happy to be in his position as brother of the king and
queen
Topics for Theme
Dramatic Irony—Oedipus’ prophecy Fate vs. Free Will:
has come true, but he does not know Follow your destiny or you will be
it.
punished. You cannot change your
fate.
Verbal Irony—“I shall fight for him as
if he were my own father.”
Identity:
A good leader recognizes all of his
responsibilities and doesn’t blame
Situational Irony—Tiresias is a blind other people
prophet
Foreshadowing—hints or clues to
future events—Tiresias tells Oedipus
“you will live in darkness.”
Ignorance vs. Knowledge:
One cannot be ignorant to the
truth, because the truth will always
come out.
Tragic Flaw--hubris
Tiresias—blind prophet, he see can see the truth, but he’s blind
hesitates to tell Oedipus the truth because he knows Oedipus will not
accept it.
Conflict—with Oedipus—tells Oedipus the truth (You are the
defilement of the city…)
Foreshadows—Oedipus blinding of self.
Hubris:
If one is excessively arrogant, it will
lead to his downfall.