Oedipus Rex by Sophocles (pg. 37-end)

Oedipus Rex by Sophocles (pg. 37-77)

Summary: After accusing Tiresias, the prophet, of conspiring with his brother-in-law Creon against Oedipus, Oedipus then confronts Creon and accuses him of treachery, and tells him he wants him dead. However, after another heated argument, Oedipus speaks to his wife Jocasta, and realizes that his prophecy and that of King Laius coincided. It was said that King Laius was “fated to be killed by a child conceived by him and [Queen Jocasta]” (45). Also, it was said that Oedipus would ultimately kill his father and marry his mother. After piecing the information together through the help of a servant and messenger, he realizes that he was placed on a mountain to die during infancy, but he was given to a shepherd and was ultimately adopted by King Polybus of Corinth. Upon realizing his destiny from the Delphic Oracle, Oedipus fled from Corinth in an attempt to avoid it. However, on the road, he encountered King Laius’ company, and in rage at the company’s rudeness, killed all but one messenger who escaped. After arriving at Thebes, he bests the Sphinx and is therefore granted permission to marry Jocasta and become king of Thebes. In this way, he killed his father and married his mother without even knowing it. However, after finding out about his unintentional atrocities, he puts out his eyes, as he can no longer bear to see himself.

Unfamiliar Vocabulary:
Prescribe: to state authoritatively or as a rule that should be carried out
Rack: to cause extreme physical or mental pain
Edict: an official order or proclamation
Besotted: strongly infatuated OR drunk
Imprecation: a curse

Critical Reflection:
As stated in a previous post, the structure of tragedies is generally based on the development and amplification of the protagonist’s tragic flaw. In Oedipus Rex, Oedipus’ tragic flaw is hubris, or excessive pride. However, this “pride” doesn’t refer to our typical conception of pride, but rather refers to an arrogant or conceited pride in oneself. In Oedipus’ case, his excessive pride reflects in his attempt to avoid his fate, as well as in his confidence in being able to save the city from the plague. Although the audience sees his departure from Corinth as admirable, the oracle never lies, and he is inevitably punished for his defiance and does in fact ultimately fulfill his prophecy.

This leads to the role of fate in the play. The idea of fate is an underlying theme throughout the play provided in the form of the Delphic Oracle, and foreshadows the final result and demise of the protagonist. Although this adds predictability to the play, this does not detract from its impact; rather, it enhances it. Because the audience is cued in early on and knows what to expect, it feels even more pity and regret when it sees Oedipus unknowingly take steps to fulfill its prophecy.

A major literary device used in Oedipus Rex is irony. It is used multiple times throughout the play, such as in his conversation with the blind prophet, Tiresias. Also, it is ironic when he condemns the murderer of Laius so vehemently, when in fact he was the murderer. Finally, perhaps the most obvious of examples of irony is the fact that he fulfilled his prophecy during his deliberate attempt to avoid doing so. Irony is used effectively in this tragedy, as it shows that the misfortune was not caused by cruel intentions; contrarily, Oedipus was portrayed as a good man cursed by a critical character flaw and a most unfortunate fate.