"The tragedies of Sophocles concern resolute, intelligent, civilized people, determined to understand everything; they never do, because there is a dark nonsensical element in things which eludes comprehension and often destroys them" (Lattimore 102). ... Both Medea and Oedipus are faced with life changing events. ... And yet they do not plot revenge in the way of murder. ... Laius and Jocasta were told that they should not have children, for if they do the child will murder his father and wed his mother. ... Oedipus does not kill himself but instead gouges his own eyes out. ...

• Word Count: 2458
• Approx Pages: 10
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

When Oedipus discovers his parents are not who they seem to be and later discovers the prophecy, in a similar way to which Laius tried to manipulate fate by sending Oedipus away, Oedipus also tries to change his destiny, by leaving Corinth "At this I fled away, putting the stars between me and Corinth, never to see home again." ... This reflects the beliefs of the ancient Greeks that changing fate was futile and fraught with danger, and this is further exposed by comments the chorus make towards the end "and let no man be called happy until the day he carries his happiness to the grave in peac...

• Word Count: 1270
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

In the play "Antigone," by Sophocles, the characters of Antigone and Creon reveal one such effect. Although the power the characters have varies greatly, the influence it has on their minds is the same. ... He is so arrogant, he cannot even begin to accept that there might be something wrong with the way he is doing things and through this inflexible belief, he isolates himself from all humans, including the people closest to him, and hold himself above the moral rules of the gods. ... As he carries Haimon's body Creon says, "Mindless, hard, deadly crime!... /I was wrong, not you"" (14...

• Word Count: 1350
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

The play shows has many aspects that can determine ones character; such as, knowledge does not bring one happiness, one gains wisdom through suffering, and leadership can determine the fate of a nation. ... Knowledge does not bring one happiness. ... From now on do not presume to speak to me or to any of these people. ... For instance, Oedipus is the classic tragic hero, he does not know what his character flaw, his hamartia, is until after it has already began to break him down; therefore, his suffering teaches him many life lessons that he did not know beforehand. ... I learned from this...

• Word Count: 1524
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

"Polyneices, I say, is to have no burial: no man is to touch him or say the least prayer for him; he shall lie on the plain, unburied; and the birds and the scavenging dogs can do with him whatever they like." ... Creon's hubris has created flaws on his character. ... Creon has overwhelmed as being a new king as he has carried his excessive pride over ruling his country. ... "Chance or the gods keep him from reaching the tomb in time; the world does not allow each intention to attain a fixed and matching result" (Scodel p.442-446). ... When he thinks that things would not get any worse, ...

• Word Count: 1884
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

If it was not for Owen believing in God and the things that God had shown him, it is quite possible that the rescue of innocent children or numerous other events in his life would not have taken place. ... Both the play "Oedipus Rex and the novel A Prayer for Owen Meany have main characters who realize the importance of religion and faith. ... Both do not want to believe that the gods are right. ... "Where on earth are they? ... Luke 6: 31 gives the well-known golden rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." ...

• Word Count: 1938
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School