Oedipus Remix!

Odfeipus questions 1, 3, 5-9, and 11-12.

1.How explicitly does the prophet Tiresias reveal the guilt of Oedipus? Does it seem to you stupidity on the part of Oedipus or a defect in Sophocles' play that the kin takes so long to recognize his guilt and to admit to it?

*Tiresias stated openly that Odeipus is the murderer.Oedipus,the best momma's boy there is, reflects many human errors and bad judgment.His refusal to realize his true self is like many of us;we all don't want to admit our faults and sometimes we push ideas out of head because we don't want to think about it(starving children in third world countries,anyone?).

3.."Oedipus is punished not for any fault in himself, but for his ignorance. Not knowing his family history, unable to recognize his parents on sight, he is blameless; and in slaying his father and marring his mother, he behaves as any sensible person might behave in the same circumstances." Do you agree with this interpretation?

*I agree with that in the sense that his fault is his ignorance.We can't use the excuse that we didn't know for everything," Well,I didn't your name on this jar of Nutella before I ate it.Sorry" is not a good excuse.I wills shank you.Ignorence wont always save you.Sometimes,in a lucky fashion,Oedipus isn't ignorant.He cries that Creon want to kill him and take over.Now this is the rumblings of a man who has just heard bad news,but the reader of Antigone knows it's the truth.In the end,he gouges his eyes because he doesn't want to see the world now because he knows he truth.

5. Consider the character of Jocasta. Is she a "flat" character - a generalized queen figure - or an individual with distinctive traits of personality? Point to speeches or details in the play to back up your opinion.

*Jocasta is a pretty flat character  because she doesn't change during the play,she just finds out information and then kills herself.Not that that is her fault, the play is really about Oedipus and his internal struggles.Considering that she's not the evil Creon or the harbinger of doom,she surprisingly has a good number of lines,so that's something.Yay women! But she isn't the typical queen figure either. She tells Oedipus many things and helps him. So half and half.

6. What is dramatic irony? Besides the example given on page 732, what other instances of dramatic irony do you find in Oedipus the King? What do they contribute to the effectiveness of the play?

* Dramatic irony is when the audience knows something that the characters don't, like the fact that they're watching a play... When Oedipus accuses Creon of treason  that is all dramatic irony. He cries that Creon want to kill him and take over.Now this is the rumblings of a man who has just heard bad news,but the reader of Antigone knows it's the truth. It makes you invested in the characters and the story.

7. In the drama of Sophocles, violence and bloodshed take place offstage; thus, the suicide of Jocasta is only reported to us. Nor do we witness Oedipus' removal of his eyes; this horror is only given in the report by the second messenger. Of what advantage or disadvantage to the play is this limitation?

*By not showing us the actual violence and tragedy,we are more focused on the characters and their reaction to the evils around them.

8. For what reason does Oedipus blind himself? What meaning, if any, do you find in his choice of a surgical instrument?

* In the end,he gouges his eyes because he doesn't want to see the world now because he knows he truth.It's interesting because everything that has happened to him now has been because of ignorance and fate;this is the first act that he truly,knowingly did to himself.Not that I'd recommend that,but its good to see a character who has a flaw,take control and in any way,get rid of that flaw.He is now blind like the prophet and will hopefully gain the wisdom that the prophet has.But it sucks because now he cant watch t.v.

9. What are your feelings toward him as the play ends?

*Oedipus,although he's very blah to me,represents a lot of what humans are.Many times in literature we are inclined to put in our heads that there's a good guy and a bad guy.Oedipus is neither.I personally don't hate him nor like him and that's what makes the story the teeniest bit good.We are shown a man that although prideful,is sincere and and earnest and are left to wonder if he is good or bad. As the play ends,I still feel like I cant relate to him but maybe that's not the point.I am shown a character that although at times unrealistic, grows and changes.That's what we like to see in people so it's nice to see it in a character.

11. With what attitude toward the gods does the play leave you? Be inflicting a plague on Thebes, by causing barrenness, by cursing both the people and their king, do the gods seem cruel, unjust, or tyrannical? Does the play show any reverence toward them?

*The gods in the play bring justice and teach people in an unconventional way.Although they bring some good,a lot of people suffer through that good,just like in real life.Sometimes messages are not strong enough so you have to do something that will  make people listen.That's why I always carry a gun so people wont cut me in line.

12. Does the play end in total gloom?

*In the end,this play does end on a sad note.However,its not dismal,at least for me.I have learned a lesson and so has Oedipus.Often times we learn lessons through unfortunate circumstances like when I realized that you will be sent to juvie even if you pretend to cry....long story.

Theme: Oedipus Rex, to me, can only be enjoyed as a fable.It is an over exaggeration,much like The Boy who Cried Wolf, that shows an extreme fault and shows the consequences that arise from it.Readers are supposed to read the play and come with an understanding that we all have flaws(some more tragic than others), but the most important thing is to not let them ruin your life.And that sometimes,no matter how hard we go against it,fate will rule all of us.