Oedipus by Sophocles: A Tragic Play Analysis

Oedipus by Sophocles: A Tragic Play Analysis

Oedipus, a tragic play by Sophocles, explores themes of fate, free will, and the search for truth. The protagonist, Oedipus, is the King of Thebes who unknowingly fulfills a prophecy that foretells he will kill his father and marry his mother. Set against the backdrop of a plague-stricken Thebes, the narrative follows Oedipus's quest to uncover the truth about his origins and the murder of King Laius. This classic work delves into the complexities of human nature and the consequences of hubris, making it essential for students of literature and drama. Ideal for anyone studying Greek tragedy or the works of Sophocles.

Key Points

  • Analyzes the themes of fate and free will in Oedipus's journey
  • Explores the psychological complexity of Oedipus as a tragic hero
  • Examines the role of prophecy and its impact on characters' lives
  • Discusses the significance of blindness and sight as metaphors in the play
,
  • newtopiccyclegrowin
268
/ 53
1
Sophocles
(c. 496–c. 406 bce)
One of the most popular and influential artists of his age, the ancient Greek
dramatist Sophocles continues to be admired for his masterful use of lan-
guage and his psychologically complex characters. His plays often engage
with themes of self-discovery and of individual struggle against the workings
of fate.
Born in Colonus, near Athens, Sophocles is said to have been educated,
athletic, and artistically accomplished. Over his long public career, he served
as a general, a spiritual leader, a treasurer, and a proboulos (an advisory
committee member). In Sophocles’ lifetime, theatre was not a professional
pursuit but was undertaken by esteemed citizens, who competed in the Great
Dionysia and Lenaia, spring festivals in which carefully rehearsed plays were
presented in an outdoor amphitheatre for thousands of spectators. Weak-
voiced Sophocles apparently refrained from performing in his own plays
but wrote more winning entries than his contemporaries Aeschylus and
Euripides combined, coming in first place at least eighteen times.
As was common in the tragedy of the period, Sophocles’ plays depict
familiar mythological characters, which were represented onstage by male
actors wearing masks and elaborate costumes. His plays also follow the con-
vention of the time in featuring a chorus (a group of performers who speak
and move in unison) and a very limited number of individual characters.
However, Sophocles expanded the cast of characters to three from the tra-
ditional two, an innovation that allowed him greater opportunities for the
exploration of individual psychology. Of the 120 plays Sophocles wrote,
seven remain intact, including Ajax, Philoctetes, Trachinian Women, and Elec-
tra. His most famous are the three “Theban Plays”—Antigone, Oedipus the
King, and Oedipus at Colonus—which, though they were not conceived as
a trilogy, are often grouped together because all three relate to the myth of
King Oedipus.
Oedipus the King (c. 429 bce) did not win first prize at the Great Diony-
sia, but it became one of Sophocles’ most famous works. It is also his most
influential; in Aristotle’s Poetics, the philosopher commended the play’s unity
of plot and theme—an analysis that, thousands of years later, continues to
influence western conceptions of tragedy, and of theatre itself.
2
Oedipus the King
1
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
Oedipus: King of Thebes
Priest: The High Priest of Thebes
Creon: Oedipus’ Brother-in-Law
Chorus of Theban Elders
Teiresias: An Old Blind Prophet
Boy: Attendant on Teiresias
Jocasta: Wife of Oedipus, Sister of Creon
Messenger: An Old Man
Servant: An Old Shepherd
Second Messenger: A Servant of Oedipus
Antigone: Daughter of Oedipus and Jocasta, a Child
Ismene: Daughter of Oedipus and Jocasta, a Child
Servants and Attendants on Oedipus and Jocasta
[The action takes place in Thebes in front of the royal palace. The main doors
are directly facing the audience. There are altars beside the doors. A crowd
of citizens carrying branches decorated with laurel branches garlanded with
wool
2
and led by the priest has gathered in front of the altars, with some
people sitting on the altar steps. Oedipus enters through the palace doors.]
Oedipus. My children, latest generation born from Cadmus,
3
why are you sitting here with wreathed sticks
in supplication to me, while the city
fills with incense, chants, and cries of pain?
Children, it would not be appropriate for me
to learn of this from any other source,
so I have come in person—I, Oedipus,
whose fame all men acknowledge. But you there,
old man, tell me—you seem to be the one
who ought to speak for those assembled here.
[10]
What feeling brings you to me—fear or desire?
1 Oedipus the King Translated by Ian Johnston, Vancouver Island University. The transla-
tor would like to acknowledge the invaluable help provided by Sir Richard Jebb’s transla-
tion and commentary.
The line numbers in square brackets refer to the Greek text; the numbers without
brackets refer to the English text.
2 laurel … wool Such branches were carried by suppliants (those seeking help, usually
from a god or a human authority figure).
3 born from Cadmus Cadmus was the legendary founder of Thebes. Hence, the citizens of
Thebes were often called “children of Cadmus” or “Cadmeians.”
5
10
3
You can be confident that I will help.
I shall assist you willingly in every way.
I would be a hard-hearted man indeed,
if I did not pity suppliants like these.
Priest. Oedipus, ruler of my native land,
you see how people here of every age
are crouching down around your altars,
some fledglings barely strong enough to fly
and others bent by age, with priests as well—
for I’m priest of Zeus—and these ones here,
the pick of all our youth. The other groups
sit in the market place with suppliant branches
or else in front of Pallas’
1
two shrines, [20]
or where Ismenus prophesies with fire.
2
For our city, as you yourself can see,
is badly shaken—she cannot raise her head
above the depths of so much surging death.
Disease infects fruit blossoms in our land,
disease infects our herds of grazing cattle,
makes women in labour lose their children;
and deadly pestilence, that fiery god,
swoops down to blast the city, emptying
the House of Cadmus, and fills black Hades
3
[30]
with groans and howls. These children and myself
now sit here by your home, not because we think
you’re equal to the gods. No. We judge you
the first of men in what happens in this life
and in our interactions with the gods.
For you came here, to our Cadmeian city,
and freed us from the tribute we were paying
to that cruel singer
4
—and yet you knew
1 Pallas Name of the goddess Pallas Athena. There were two shrines to her in Thebes.
2 where Ismenus … fire Ismenus, a temple to Apollo Ismenios where burnt offerings were
used as the basis for divination.
3 Hades the underworld.
4 you came … singer The phrase “cruel singer” is a reference to the Sphinx, a winged mon-
ster with the body of a lion and the head and torso of a woman. After the death of king
Laius, the Sphinx tyrannized Thebes by not letting anyone into or out of the city, unless
the person could answer the following riddle: “What walks on four legs in the morning,
on two legs at noon, and three legs in the evening?” Those who could not answer were
killed and eaten. Oedipus saved the city by providing the answer: “a human being,” with
each time of day representing a phase of life—crawling, walking upright, and walking
with a cane. The Sphinx then committed suicide.
15
20
25
30
35
40
/ 53
End of Document
268
You May Also Like

FAQs of Oedipus by Sophocles: A Tragic Play Analysis

What is the main theme of Oedipus by Sophocles?
The main theme of Oedipus is the conflict between fate and free will. Oedipus struggles against a prophecy that foretells he will kill his father and marry his mother. Despite his efforts to avoid this fate, his actions ultimately lead him to fulfill the prophecy, illustrating the idea that fate is inescapable. This theme raises questions about human agency and the extent to which individuals can control their destinies.
How does Oedipus discover the truth about his origins?
Oedipus discovers the truth about his origins through a series of revelations prompted by the blind prophet Teiresias and the messenger from Corinth. Initially, Oedipus is confident in his ability to uncover the murderer of King Laius, but as he investigates, he learns that he himself is the killer. The messenger reveals that Oedipus was adopted, leading him to realize that he has unwittingly fulfilled the prophecy of killing his father and marrying his mother.
What role does blindness play in the play Oedipus?
Blindness serves as a powerful metaphor in Oedipus, representing both physical and metaphorical sight. Oedipus, who is physically able to see, is blind to the truth of his own identity and actions. In contrast, Teiresias, who is blind, possesses the insight and knowledge that Oedipus lacks. This contrast emphasizes the theme of knowledge versus ignorance, as Oedipus's eventual self-inflicted blindness symbolizes his recognition of the horrific truths he has uncovered.
What is the significance of the setting in Oedipus?
The setting of Oedipus is crucial to its themes and emotional impact. Taking place in Thebes, a city plagued by disaster, the setting reflects the turmoil and suffering of its inhabitants. The public spaces, such as the royal palace and the altars, serve as sites for Oedipus's confrontation with his fate. The backdrop of a city in crisis heightens the urgency of Oedipus's quest for truth and underscores the tragic consequences of his actions.
How does Oedipus's character evolve throughout the play?
Oedipus's character evolves from a confident and determined king to a tragic figure overwhelmed by despair and guilt. Initially, he is portrayed as a strong leader who seeks to save his city from plague, displaying intelligence and resolve. However, as the truth about his origins and actions unfolds, he becomes increasingly desperate and self-loathing. His transformation culminates in his self-blinding, symbolizing his acceptance of the truth and the irreversible nature of his fate.

Related of Oedipus by Sophocles: A Tragic Play Analysis