Sophocles uses the image of a crossroad as a primal symbol to show that man is free to choose and is ultimately held responsible for their own actions. ... Sophocles characterizes Oedipus the king as a loyal and honorable man who like many individuals also contain an excessive amount of pride. That specific flaw affected Oedipus's decision making process. ... In full recognition of his actions and decisions, Oedipus rips out his eyes as a symbol of accepting responsibility for his irrational actions. ... To find the truth however, Oedipus faced a crossroad. ...

• Word Count: 670
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

Oedipus the King was written during the ancient Greek times. ... We are introduced to King Oedipus from the beginning where he is addressing his people on the current situation of Thebes. ... Whereas the prophet uses riddles to tell Oedipus the truth, "Go inside and ponder that riddle, and if you find I've lied then call me a prophet who cannot see". ... It could also be that king polybos wanted to protect Oedipus. ... For example Oedipus was strong in the beginning but as the truth begins to get revealed he starts becoming a mere symbol of weakness. ...

• Word Count: 1079
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

In Robert Fagles' translation of the play "Oedipus the King", Sophocles explores many important themes of Greek tragedy such as fate and free will, wisdom and knowledge, determination and power through the effective use of his language, symbols and motifs and setting. ... Firstly, the story is one that introduces the main character, Oedipus, very positively. ... This is evident on pages 12-13 when Oedipus says, "I am ready to help, I'll do anything.... Moreover, the chorus is also often used to foreshadow future events and emphasize on the main themes. ... Overall, thr...

• Word Count: 511
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

One such myth that has undergone this change is that of King Oedipus, the youth who had slain his father and married to his mother. ... Celtic, Greek and other forms of mythology focus on the supernatural and spiritual divinity, whereas Oedipus focuses on the king and his human frailties. ... The issues raised by King Oedipus such as incest, parricide, genetics, values and faith are all relative to that period in time. ... Particles of the text are shown in a new context, such as the popular film The Lion King where ruling lands are destroyed as a result of the King's actions. ... Her sw...

• Word Count: 1933
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Oedipa's first name, obviously, derives from Oedipus, the hero of Sophocles' famous play. ... When he reaches the next kingdom, he learns that the king has mysteriously died, and Oedipus himself becomes king, marrying the former king's wife, who of course is his mother. When Oedipus finds out what he has done, he blinds himself and becomes a wandering beggar. ... She has other ties to Oedipus as well. ... One cultural feature of the 1960s was an enormous explosion of societal sub- cultures based on drug use. ...

• Word Count: 2590
• Approx Pages: 10

He attended the King's New School, which was known for its academic success. ... Several of Shakespeare's famous tragedies were written and performed in this theatre such as Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth. ... One that has stirred quite a controversy over the years would be the theme concerning the Oedipus Complex. ... Many productions of Hamlet have included the Oedipus theme as a central part of the play. ... In September of 1662, diarist Samuel Pepys went to the King's Theatre "where we saw "Midsummer Night's Dream," which I had never ...

• Word Count: 2347
• Approx Pages: 9
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School