Oedipus The King

1. Oedipus The King Or, Mummy? Daddy?

2. The Great Dionysia • Oedipus Rex was entered by Sophocles at the Great Dionysia around 431 BCE, a religious and cultural festival that had competitions for tragedies and comedies, where it came…

3. ….second. • Euphorion, Aeschylus’ son, won. • He did, however, win in around 442 BCE with another play you know:

4. Antigone

5. Background & Context… • What, from the opening lines from 1 – 57, is happening in Thebes? • In what condition are the people? Find three pieces of evidence.

6. Fate and self-determinism • Oedipus Rex, or Oedipus the King: • was deeply concerned with fate, destiny and self-determinism (compare to Miller); • explores the concept of hubris frequently…

7. Hubris? • The pride that comes before a fall. • This is a central issue in the play….

8. Who is so proud? • Oedipus… • His pride is immense – why? • Give three reasons that you know of from the previous ppt and, after reading lines 1 – 57, the opening speech of the priest from lines 14 – 57.

9. Why is this important? • Because this is crucial in determining Oedipus’s status as a tragic hero. • Now, write down all the things that you believe constitute a tragic hero from your earlier studies…

10. The tragic flaw • Or Hamartia, is the key aspect of a tragic hero, according to the Greeks. • What is Oedipus’ tragic flaw?

11. Creon • Read from lines 87 – 150. • Write: where has Creon come from? • Note: what is his news? • Note: in what ways is Thebes “polluted”? • Does this connect to any other plays you have studied? If so, how?

12. Oedipus’ initial reaction to Creon’s news • Note: what does Oedipus say regarding the death of Laius and his own position? • Note: what does this inform us of Oedipus’ character?

13. The Chorus • We are familiar with the general role of the chorus from Antigone; • Now read from lines 151 – 212. • Write: what is their specific purpose here?

14. Oedipus’ curse • Read from lines 213 – 275, • Note down: make a list of points that Oedipus makes regarding his past, how he will treat those who aid him, and what will ensue if and when the murderer of Laius is found…

15. Seeing and blindness • Sight is another central theme in Oedipus • What do you think sight represents? • Write down three ideas.

16. Oedipus & Teiresias • Now read the confrontation between Oedipus and Teiresias from lines 300 – 463; • Activity: on a flow chart, trace the content of their dispute.

17. Oedipus, Creon and the idea of justice • Read from lines 510 – 633 • Mind map, using colour and symbol, your ideas about Oedipus’ sense of justice • How does this link to the idea of hubris and hamartia?

18. Jocasta – ll. 633 - 862 • What is Jocasta’s first reaction when she enters? • Up until line 707 what is her input into the debate? Write down your interpretation • How does she interact with the Chorus? Do they agree with each other? Write down two main ideas about this.

19. Oedipus’ recognitions • Guys, it is extremely important that you have a precise awarenessof what Oedipus realises about himself and his past, and when in the text. • Coming up will be some further exercises embedded in the Powerpoint to help you in establishing your knowledge of the text.

20. Jocasta & the Gods • Focus on lines 707 – 725 – to what extent do Jocasta and Oedipus concur about the power of the Gods? Write down one idea that you have. • Why does Jocasta believe what she does about the Gods? Write it… • How does this section relate to other parts of the text? Jot down three ideas

21. The beginning of the reversal in fortune and Oedipus’ recognition: • Identify in the text where, exactly, Oedipus’ first, shocking, realisation occurs. (Hint: it may not be at a point where he actually speaks) • What has he realised? Write it down. • Write down two ways that you would have the actor playing Oedipus react when he hears the news

22. Oedipus and the development of his realisations • Read lines 729 – 770 – what facts are issued about the death of Laius? Jot them down. • What does Oedipus realise at this point?

23. The death of Laius, and Oedipus’ language • Read from lines 771 - 833 • Write down in summary form how Laius was killed, using the extra details that Oedipus provides us with. • What important motif reemerges at this point? (Hint: think about what is happening to the people of Thebes). Write down your idea, with evidence from the text.

24. Oedipus and Laius: the search for truth and evidence • Oedipus begins his fateful search for the truth. • What technique does Sophocles use to present new information to the audience? (Hint: the shepherd on his way is an example…) Write it! • Write down why you think Greek dramatists used this technique – think about character, theme and plot advancement, rather than stage practicalities…

25. The fears of the Chorus • Read from lines 863 – 910 and summarise the fears and concerns of the chorus. • Answer: to what extent are these related to the themes of the play do far?

26. Oscillations between horror and relief… • Oedipus veers between relief and increasing horror for the rest of the play. • Read from lines 911 – 1050. On a spider diagram, note down from Oedipus’ conversation with the Corinthian what changes in mood are shown, and what revelations are being brought about.

27. Jocasta’s realisation • Identify where, between lines 1050 and 1072, Jocasta realises her true relationship between herself and Oedipus. • Write: what do you think prompted her realisation?

28. The BIG one… • How is dramatic irony deployed by Sophocles up until line 1061? Jot down your answers… • Answer: what other examples of foreshadowing and irony are there from 1061 – 1120 (until the entry of the Theban Shepherd, another key minor character)?

29. The Countdown to Catastrophe • Read from 1120 – 1180 • What do we see in Oedipus’ behaviour at this point? Write down three adjectives to describe his treatment of the shepherd and give evidence for each one. • How does this link to the idea of hamartia, or tragic flaw? Jot down your ideas!

30. The Chorus and the Messenger: ll. 1187 - 1236 • Focus on the language of the Chorus to describe the fortunes of Oedipus. Find 5 examples of pieces of vocabulary that create juxtaposition, and comment on the effect at this point.

31. Reported Violence: the Messenger: ll. 1237 – 1297 • This is one of the most famous descriptions of a suicide and self-harm in the history of Western culture. • How does the Messenger’s language convey the horror and drama of the scene? Write a 300 word analysis of the speech, focusing on the description of the crimes, and the use of symbolism to generate descriptive power.

32. Oedipus’ re-entry • Oedipus’ re-entry is profoundly dramatic. • Answer: why is this such a dramatic moment? What do the audience see before them? Link back to the ideas of hamartia and hubris, sight and knowledge…

33. Oedipus’ songs • Read lines 1308 – 1363. Oedipus sings his lines at this point. • Answer: Why does he say he blinded himself? • What metaphorical significance does this self-blinding have? Jot down your responses…

34. Oedipus’ lamentation – lines 1369 - 1416 • Comment on the significance of the following two quotations as fully as possible: • “No pleasure there, for eyes of mine, / Nor in this city, / nor its battlements / Nor sacred images.” (ll. 1376 – 1379)

35. Oedipus’ lamentation (2) • Comment: “You marriages! You did beget me: then, having begotten, / Bore the same crop again, and brought to light / Commingled blood of fathers, brothers, sons, / Brides, mothers, wives; all that there can be / Among the human kind most horrible!” (ll. 1403 – 1408)

36. Oedipus & Creon – meeting again… ll. 1419 – 1526 (the end) • Write: what do Creon’s lines from lines 1422 – 1431 show about the nature of Greek attitudes towards incest? • Write: what does Oedipus request of Creon? • Write: why does Creon say that he will ask Oedipus, despite Oedipus’ pathetic state? What does this show of Creon’s character?

37. Oedipus, self-determination and fate • Consider the following quotation: “I was not saved / That day from death, except for some strange doom. / My fate must take the course it will.” • Comment: how significant is this quotation in relation to the theme of fate and free will?

38. Oedipus’ final speech • Oedipus’ final speech is to his daughters, Ismene and Antigone. • Note: what will the consequences be for the two girls according to Oedipus?

39. Catharsis? • Reflect: to what extent do you agree with Aristotle’s proposition that the audience goes through a sense of catharsis at the end of tragedies such as Oedipus the King? How can you argue for and against that idea? Complete the catharsis worksheet… • Now go on to our wikispace and find the page entitled ‘Oedipus the King, Aristotle and Catharsis’, and follow the link there.

40. Further thought and activities • List: what are the major themes that are explored in Oedipus the King? Think of 5, and for each one choose a moment in the play where the theme you have chosen in epitomised.

41. Minor characters • In this play more than others, the minor characters serve an important function in terms of the advancement of plot, theme and character, as well as the aesthetics of drama. • Make a note of the minor characters and note down their purpose and function in the play.

42. The tragic flaw: harmatia • Review: what was Oedipus’ tragic flaw? How does it manifest itself throughout the play? Find a series of examples.

43. Sight & Blindness • Quickly re-read the play and note down any moments when sight, seeing and blindness are referred to. • Answer: how important is the motif of sight and blindness, and what does it represent through the play?

44. The search for truth and knowledge • Note: to what extent is Oedipus the King preoccupied with ideas of truth and justice? • Write down all the different manifestations of concerns with truth and justice throughout the play.

45. And that, as they say, is that. • The end.