Oedipus Rex
by Sophocles
Sophocles
• 496 – 406 B. C.
• his dramatic work
portrayed misery and
tragedy
• he also became a
distinguished public
official
OEDIPUS REX
• a TRAGEDY is a serious
drama featuring a main
character who strives
to achieve something
and is ultimately
defeated
OEDIPUS REX
• The main character’s
downfall is often due
to an inborn
character flaw or
weakness – the tragic
flaw.
OEDIPUS REX - Background
• Peloponnesian War(431404 BC)
• Oedipus Rex was
produced; Athens
suffered from political
instability and
devastating plague.
OEDIPUS REX - Background
• Sophocles opens his
play with a
situation that the
people of Athens
could identify with:
a plague with no
end in sight
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
• Tells Oedipus plague will
end when murderer of
Laius is found
MAIN CHARACTERS
Teiresias
• wise, old, blind
prophet and servant
of Apollo
• knows everything
Jocasta
• the wife and mother of
Oedipus
• she tries to protect
Oedipus from the awful
truth
Oedipus
• protagonist
• his name means
“swollen-foot”
• he inspires both pity
and fear
Oedipus
• a hereditary curse has
been placed on his family,
and he unknowingly has
fulfilled the terms of the
prophecy that he would kill
his father (Laius) and
marry his own mother
(Jocasta)
Oedipus
• when he curses the
murderer of Laius he is
cursing himself and
predicting his own exile
Creon
• brother of Jocasta (both
brother and uncle to Oedipus)
• Oedipus feels threatened by
Creon and believes that he
covets the throne
• He has no desire to be king,
and that Oedipus harms
himself in making such
accusations
THEMES
•
•
•
•
•
quest for identity and truth
nature of innocence and guilt
nature of moral responsibility
Fate vs. free will
Excessive power and pride
Imagery
• references to light and
darkness to predict the
future
Foreshadowing
• sign or warning of what
is to come in the future
of the story
Background
• Oedipus was travelling to Thebes
• He happened upon a monster who
had taken control of city
• If he were to destroy the
monster, he would become king
• He does just that and becomes
king
• A blight falls upon the city of
Thebes
Oedipus Rex
by Sophocles
• Greek mythology
• Fate vs. free will (theme)
• Plays were a form of
entertainment
• Can be complicated / take good
notes! (write down anything
important)
Important Information: Oedipus Rex
• Characters:
• Oedipus Rex (Oedipus the King): main
character; blinded by power; prophecy
says he will kill father and marry mother
• Jocasta: wife and mother to Oedipus
• Creon: brother-in-law and uncle to
Oedipus; wants to help him
• Teiresias: wise, old, blind prophet
• Other characters: help to move plot along
Background
• As a baby, Oedipus’s parents sent him to a
mountain to die (knew his prophecy and pinned
feet together)
• Man found him; took him to another city; king
of city (Polybus) adopted him
• When he grew up, he went on a journey
• Arrived in Thebes; there was a monster
(sphinx)
• If he defeated sphinx, he would become king
and marry queen
• He does defeat the monster; becomes king,
Thebes is ravaged by plague – citizens want
him to help (play starts here)
While reading…
• What has more control: fate or free
will?
• What is Oedipus’s power doing to him?
• Are the people around him acting
morally? Is he?
• How do Oedipus’s decisions affect his
life?
• Are people inherently good or evil
based on your reading?
• What lesson can we take away from
this text?