Freud read Sophocles' Oedipus Rex and it immediately determined that the underlying ideas in this drama would become a large part of his studies. The tragedies and misfortunes of Oedipus Rex opened new doors to the applications of his theories and the subject of his definition of an Oedipal Complex that still is studied today. ... The real power of Oedipus Rex lies not in the fact that it illustrates the Oedipus complex-that Oedipus was oedipal-but that it depicts a troubling and seemingly universal dimension of human behavior; the way we unwittingly create the fate we fear and dislike....

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

As in Oedipus the King, a major theme in Othello is man's inability to reliably distinguish between what seems to be and what; however, this shared theme of "uncertain vision" is treated somewhat differently in Othello than it is in Oedipus the King. ... However, the entire play actually concentrates on Oedipus discovering what actually happened. ... In Oedipus this is manifested through his desire to find out the truth. ... It may have been wrong but avoiding the truth would have saved Oedipus the family and the state. ... In his essay "On Misunderstanding the Oedipus Rex", E.R. ...

• Word Count: 1353
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

In Sophocles" Oedipus Rex, the reader sees the epitome of Aristotle's tragedy described in Poetics, the first section of his major critical work. ... A shepherd rescues the child, Oedipus, and gives him to his king, Polybus, King of Corinth. As Oedipus grows up, he learns from an oracle that he will kill his father and marry his mother. ... Through Oedipus" determination to seek the murderer, the shepherd who "rescued" Oedipus the baby comes forth, revealing his story, which leads to the downfall of Oedipus. ... In Sophocles" Oedipus Rex, Oedipus fulfills all the three requirements set...

• Word Count: 696
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Is this true of Oedipus? In the play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, the main character Oedipus is seen to follow his prophesized fate, which ends in his downfall. ... Oedipus has great difficulty in believing the words of others who dispute any set ideas or beliefs he has in his mind. ... Despite Jocasta having already pieced together the tragic events which had occurred Oedipus sticks to his ideas to the very end, his pride guiding his path. Oedipus manipulates his fate unwillingly to conform to that of the oracles he is so desperately trying to avoid. ...

• Word Count: 859
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

It is commonly assumed that the three works that chronicle the curse of Oedipus were intended as a trilogy, but although Antigone follows Oedipus Rex chronologically, it was written earlier. When comparing the character of Creon, as presented in Antigone, with the character as presented in Oedipus Rex, the differences in characterization are remarkably apparent. In Oedipus Rex, Creon is portrayed as a benevolent figure with seemingly little interest in power yet in Antigone; he is desperate to maintain total and complete control in his rule. ... According to the Freudian theory of the Oedipus ...

• Word Count: 1647
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: Undergraduate