Oedipus Rex
by Sophocles
Sophocles
• 496 – 406 B. C.
• Grew up in Colonus,
near where former
King Oedipus was
(allegedly) buried
• Sophocles was the second of
three great ancient Greek
tragedians:
– preceded by Aeschylus
– followed by or
contemporary to Euripides
• For almost 50 years he was
the dominant competitor in
the dramatic competitions of
ancient Athens
• Sophocles influenced the
development of the drama
– adding a third character and
thereby reducing the
importance of the chorus in
the presentation of the plot
– developed his characters to a
greater extent than earlier
playwrights
– Used female characters
• Only seven of his 123 plays have
survived into modern times with
their text completely known.
• The most famous of these are
the three tragedies concerning
Oedipus and Antigone: these are
often known as the Theban plays
or The Oedipus Cycle
– were not originally written or
performed as a single trilogy
Structure of Greek Drama
1. Prologue: Spoken by one or two
characters before the chorus
appears. The prologue usually
gives the mythological
background necessary for
understanding the events of the
play.
2. Parados: This is the song sung
by the chorus as it first enters
the orchestra and dances.
3. First Episode: This is the first
of many "episodes", when the
characters and chorus talk.
4. Choral ode: At the end of each
episode, the other characters
usually leave the stage and the
chorus dances and sings a choral
ode. The ode usually reflects on
the things said and done in the
episodes, and puts it into some
kind of larger mythological
framework.
OEDIPUS REX
INTRODUCTION
OEDIPUS REX
• The main character’s
downfall is often due
to an inborn
character flaw or
weakness – the tragic
flaw.
OEDIPUS REX-Prologue
• The city of Thebes is
ravaged by plague
• Citizens beg King
Oedipus for help
OEDIPUS REX-Prologue
• Oedipus sends his
brother-in-law,
Creon, to the oracle
of Apollo at Delphi.
OEDIPUS REX-Prologue
• Creon returns and
announces that the
plague will end when the
Thebans punish the
murderer of the their
previous king, Laius.
OEDIPUS REX-Prologue
• Oedipus tries to take
the role of savior and
vows to do everything
in his power to
apprehend the
murderer and save his
people
Oedipus Rex : Parados: p. 10-12
• Theban elders serve as the
chorus.
• Prayers to gods for
assistance: Apollo,
Artemis, Athena.
• Lists problems that Thebes
was suffering from.
• Phoibos= Apollo
Scene I
• Oedipus is trying to get
information about the murder
from the citizens of Thebes.
• They either have no answers
or are not telling.
• He tells the Thebans that
anyone found to have known
the murderer will be
banished from Thebes
• Oedipus promises to look for the
murderer as though he were
looking for his own father’s
killer.
• One of the Thebans suggests
calling Teiresias, a blind
prophet. But Oedipus has
already called him.
• When Teiresias arrives, he is at
first reluctant to speak because
of what he knows.
• “How dreadful knowledge of
truth can be when there’s no
help in truth!” (p.17)
• Oedipus pushes Teiresias to
talk
• Tereisias: “What does it
matter! Whether I speak or
not it is bound to come.”
– Fate, destiny vs. Free will
• Oedipus accuses Teiresias
of being the murderer.
• Teiresias, sick of Oedipus’
pushing him reveals:
– “You yourself are the
pollution of this
country.”
• Oedipus is reluctant to believe
Teiresias
• “There is no one here who will
not curse you soon, as you curse
me.”
• Oedipus mocks Teiresias’
blindness.
• Oedipus accuses Teiresias and
Creon of conspiring against him.
• The leader of the Chorus asks
Oedipus to calm down
• “I say that you, with both
your eyes, are blind”
• Teiresias only taunts Oedipus
further, saying that the king
does not even know who his
parents are.
• Oedipus is infuriated, but is
confused and intrigued.
• the murderer of Laius will
turn out to be:
– both brother and father
to his children
– both son and husband to
his mother
– Theban born, but
perceived to be from
somewhere else
Choral Ode 1
• The Chorus is confused and
unsure whom to believe
• They resolve that they will not
believe any of these accusations
against Oedipus unless they are
shown proof.