Oedipus Rex, written by Sophocles, illustrates certain elements of tragedy while it portrays qualities of loyalty, compassion, and bravery. Throughout the tragedy, Oedipus encounters many situations where he demonstrates these qualities that mankind today has yet to improve on. Although Oedipus is a good noble man, he suffers the tragic fate that he is destined to bare.
As Oedipus first appears in the play, he stands before his people (the Thebans) and sees them in despair. Compassionately, Oedipus speaks to a priest to seek out an answer for the Thebans" misery. Then, the priest replies and speaks of the plagues that are causing the Thebans" suffering. Answering his people, Oedipus, shows his first sign of compassion through his words:.
Oedipus. Poor children! You may be sure I know / All that you longed for in you coming here. / I know that you are deathly sick; and yet, / Sick as you are, not one is as sick as I. / Each of you suffers in himself alone / His anguish, not another's; but my spirit / Groans for the city for myself, for you. (Sophocles 116).
Soon Kreon returns from Delphi baring information about the plagues. Kreon relays the message that Apollo has sent him to tell Oedipus, "by exile or death, blood for blood. It was / Murder that brought the plague-wind on the city (Sophocles 116). Next, Oedipus .
vows to discover the identity of the murderer of Laios in order to lift up the evil that is plaguing his country. It is from his compassion that Oedipus makes this vow; sympathy for the Thebans lives and well being is the deciding factor for Oedipus" choices.
From Oedipus" compassion, he is able to demonstrate his loyalty to the Thebans. Oedipus is loyal to his word and to his people. When the Kreon returns with the information about the plague on Thebes, Oedipus displays his loyalty to his people by making the vow to discover the killer of Laios. As the play ends, Oedipus discovers the truth about him and the tragic fate that he has to suffer.
The Greek drama Oedipus Rex is clearly a tragedy. ... Oedipus Rex clearly meets the first of these five criteria. ... The tragic flaw, or mistake that a character makes, in Oedipus Rex does not actually take place during the story. ... In these five ways, the story Oedipus Rex classifies as a tragedy. However, in my opinion at least, you don't really need a standard checklist to see if Oedipus Rex is a tragedy or not. ...
"Oedipus Rex Essay Number 1- The stories Antigone and Oedipus Rex were written by a Greek philosopher named Sophocles. ... In Oedipus Rex there was a very interesting prophecy. Before the prophecy, Tiresias and Oedipus had an argument. ... In Oedipus Rex the prophecy Tiresias gave Oedipus was a foreshadow of what was to come. ... Oedipus had become blind. ...
Oedipus Rex is Greek tragedy written by Sophocles. The main character, Oedipus Rex, is a man who is trying to escape destiny. ... Oedipus is born the prince of Thebes. ... Oedipus Rex is a perfect example of the tragic hero. ... Oedipus Rex is a powerful play and will continue to influence generations for a long time to come. ...
"Oedipus Rex" is a classic Greek tragedy. ... However, "Oedipus Rex" is a tragedy. ... Oedipus Rex tried to control his destiny, and failed. ... "Oedipus Rex" is a play of destiny. ... "Oedipus Rex" is a much deeper work than that. ...
The contrast between light and dark, and blindness and sight plays a large role throughout Oedipus Rex. ... Oedipus Rex is a play full of paradox. ... During the exchange between Tiresias and Oedipus near the beginning of the play, constant reference is made to Oedipus" sight and Tiresias" blindness. ... Oedipus Rex is an account of Oedipus" quest for truth. ... Yet it is only in his blindness that Oedipus finally truly sees. ...
The entire concept of Oedipus Rex is enough to leave a sour taste in a reader's mouth. ... Contrary to this, however, Oedipus Rex is one of the most highly regarded plays in literary history. ... The mix of pleasure and disquietude create the volatile emotions that make Oedipus Rex a legendary play. Before the play even begins, Oedipus murders his father. ... Overall, the tragic nature of Oedipus Rex incites more sympathy from the audience than the initial disgust. ...
All of the tragedies, including Oedipus Rex are considered outstanding for their powerful, intricate plots and dramatic style. ... Oedipus Rex is a tragedy written by Sophocles. ... Oedipus's tragedy extends to his entire family. ... Such an ironic reversal occurs in Oedipus Rex when the messenger's speech unsettles rather than reassures Oedipus about who he is and what he has done. ... The major conflict occurred when Tiersias tells Oedipus that Oedipus is responsible for the plague and Oedipus refuses to believe it. ...
In Sophocles's play "Oedipus Rex- Oedipus Even though "fate" seems to determine Oedipus' life, . he does infact have a free will. ... Oedipus does not believe (his choice). ... Oedipus Essay (Fate) Sophocles "Oedipus the King- is a tragic play which discusses the tragic discovery of Oedipus that he has killed his father and married his mother. ... Oedipus Rex - Bliss in Ignorance Oedipus Rex - Bliss in Ignorance One of the most memorable and meaningful Socratic quotes applies well when in context of Sophocles' Theban Trilogy. ... Yet in terms of Sophoclean drama, specifically Oe...
Iokaste the Downfall of Oedipus Rex From the beginning of Oedipus Rex there are prophecies that insist the ultimate fate of Oedipus. Although these prophecies are excruciating, they are prophecies that in the end all come, true and lead to the destruction of Oedipus Rex. ... Iokaste through love and concern for her son tries to prevent these awful prophecies from happening, but in the end she is the ultimate cause of Oedipus Rex's grief and downfall. ... The Iokaste says Oedipus! ... Iokaste although it is not obvious was really the cause of Oedipus Rex's downfall. ...
Oedipus Rex is a fascinating insight into the nature of a human being's need for control. From the opening lines of the play we see King Oedipus as the strong leader of his city. ... We know that Oedipus fled his home town to avoid a prophecy that foretold that he would kill his father. It is later revealed that he did in fact, albeit unknowingly to Oedipus himself at the time, kill his father. ... The story of Oedipus Rex teaches this moral brilliantly. ...