The main theme, which develops the central action throughout the play Oedipus Rex, focusses on the term "blindness." The beginning of the play involves Oedipus being intellectually blind of the truth, trying to find out, but not succeeding. During the middle of the play Oedipus recognizes the truth about his past and himself, discovering that he was blind. Then Oedipus punishes himself harshly by making himself physically blind. It is Oedipus's unfortunate blindness, which is his tragic flaw. He is intellectually blind as well as physically blind. He is blind of the truth of himself and his past. In the past, he was taken away from his real parents, so his destined fate would not come true. He was then found by the herdsman, who gave him to King Polybus and Merope' to raise as their child. Oedipus became older, and as he was away he killed King Laois without knowing what he was doing. After solving the riddle of the Sphinx, Oedipus became King of Thebes, and married his real mother Jocasta, not realizing who she was.
He can see physically well at the beginning of the play, but he is blind and ignorant of the real truth about himself and his past. He believes Creon is causing him trouble and telling him lies instead of the truth. Tiresias disagrees, "No, your affliction is yourself, not Creon, (384), he says, telling Oedipus that he creates his own ill fortune. Oedipus thinks that Creon is trying to steal his throne and plot to kill him when he tells him the truth about himself. "My loyal Creon, colleage from the start, longs to sneak up in secret and dethrone me, (389). Creon is doing no such thing. Although Oedipus desperately tries to discover the truth, he does not succeed. Jocasta tries to cause Oedipus to stop looking for the truth, feeling that the truth will only cause him more pain. "For the love of the gods, and if you love your life, give up this search! My sickness is enough, (1065).
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 is Greek tragedy written by Sophocles. The main character, Oedipus Rex, is a man who is trying to escape destiny. ... 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 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. ... In Oedipus Rex the prophecy Tiresias gave Oedipus was a foreshadow of what was to come. ...
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. ... Overall, the tragic nature of Oedipus Rex incites more sympathy from the audience than the initial disgust. ...
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. ... Iokaste although it is not obvious was really the cause of Oedipus Rex's downfall. ...
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. ... 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. ...
Comparing and Contrasting An Enemy of the People and Oedipus RexAn Enemy of the People and Oedipus Rex have many things that are similar as well as different. ... The plague in Oedipus Rex is affecting all the citizens of Cadmus. ... In Oedipus Rex, Oedipus is in search of his identity. ...
Oedipus Rex Tragedy Essay In Greece people wrote many plays for entertainment. ... "Oedipus Rex" displays many characteristics of this form of literature; such as a tragic hero, a dynamic character, and the role that fate plays in the outcome of his existence. ... (Holt, 302) One of the most memorable tragedies is "Oedipus Rex." ... Another form of literature involved in "Oedipus Rex" is the role that fate plays in the play. ... "Oedipus Rex" is a classic example of a tragedy. ...
