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X. Oedipus Rex

Oedipus as a “Hero”

Directions: After you have read “The ‘Hero’ in Literature” handout, please answer the following questions. Answer in COMPLETE SENTENCES!!

1. What are the circumstances surrounding Oedipus’s birth? Were these circumstances “unusual”? How so?

2. Why does Oedipus leave his “land” and his “family”?

3. What “adventure” does Oedipus experience on his journey?

4. Does Oedipus have a “special weapon”? If so, what is it?

5. How does Oedipus prove himself at the end of his journey?______________________________________________________________________

Oedipus: a tragic hero?

Now that you have finished reading the play, it is time to decide IF Oedipus fits the characteristics of a tragic hero, as described in your notes. I have listed the most common traits of a tragic hero below. You must refamiliarize yourself with that trait through your notes and decide whether Oedipus fits that characteristic. If he DOES fit that

characteristic, then EXPLAIN HOW/WHERE he fits it. If he DOES NOT fit the characteristic, then EXPLAIN HOW/WHERE he does not fit it.

1. noble birth through royalty or wisdom

2. has a tragic flaw (if so, what is it?)

3. has a reversal of fortune

4. discovery or recognition of own actions

5. suffers more than he deserves

6. faces and accepts death (or punishment) with honor

7. falls from great heights and esteem________________________________________________________________________

Oedipus Introduction

Introduction:

*Ask students if they believe in destiny, that their life has already been planned out. Do they believe they can change their destiny (free will)?

*Ask students if they would like to know something about their future? Why or why not?

*Ask students if they have heard of ways in which one's destiny can be predicted (astrology, Tarot cards, fortune cookies, etc.). Overhead question: write down as many examples you can think of in which people believe that their destiny can be predicted. Do you believe in any of them? Why or why not?

*Broaden the discussion to include ways in which ancient peoples prophesied the future, such as studying animal entrails in ancient Rome and listening to oracles in ancient Greece. Overhead about the Oracles, sacrificial animal entrails, and the Fates.

*Now, move on to discuss a seemingly unconnected issue. Ask students if they can name any political leader who has made a mistake which cost them their career (or even lives). What motivated them to make the mistake?

*Can they think of any examples where pride was the major factor? (Think of Nixon proudly assuming he had the right to bug people's conversations because he was the president.) Introduce the Greek concept of 'hubris' meaning pride likely to invoke the wrath of the gods. Define “hubris” to the students.________________________________________________________________________

oedipus rexunit test

name: ________________________

Directions: Please answer the following questions as COMPLETELY as possible. If you fail to answer the question COMPLETELY, you will only receive partial credit!

Part one: the greek theater/drama

1. Explain the purpose of the Chorus in Greek drama.

2. To which god were the Greek plays dedicated to and why this particular god?

3. What innovation did Sophocles bring to Greek drama?

4. How did the performers in a Greek play make it easier for everyone to see and enjoy the performance (hint: there are 3 ways!)

Part two: Oedipus rex—prologue

5. Why does the Priest who Oedipus singles out believe that Oedipus can save Thebes from the plague?

6. Oedipus often refers to the Thebans as “children.” What does this suggest about the way he regards them?

7. According to Creon, what must Oedipus do in order to rid Thebes of the plague?

8. Why do the Thebans appeal to the god Apollo? Why not some other god?

Part three: Oedipus rex—Scene one

9. This scene is filled with many instances of DRAMATIC IRONY. Find at least 3 examples (please give line numbers with your examples!)

10. Why is Teiresias so hesitant to answer Oedipus’s questions?

11. What does Oedipus accuse Teiresias and Creon of?

12. In what way is Teiresias’s blindness ironic?

Part four: Oedipus rex—scene two

13. How does Creon defend himself against Oedipus's accusations?

14. What "proof" of the falseness of prophecies does Jocasta give Oedipus in order to “set is mind to rest”?

15. After listening to Jocasta’s tale on pg. 334, Oedipus replies: “How strange a shadowy memory crossed my mind,/Just now while you were speaking; it chilled my heart.” Explain his words. Why is Oedipus frightened by Jocasta’s tale?

16. Why did the one surviving servant from the attack on King Laius plead to Jocasta to be sent away to a remote area?

17. Why do you think that Polybus and Merope (King and Queen of Corinth) lie to Oedipus when he came to them about the rumors surrounding his parentage?

18. What fact about the attack on King Laius 15 years ago would clear Oedipus’s name?

Part five: Oedipus rex—scene three

19. What important news is delivered to Oedipus and Jocasta at the beginning of Scene Three? Why is this news so important (especially to Oedipus)?

20. Why is Oedipus still concerned about the prophecy on his life despite the news from the Messenger?

21. What are the two meanings of “Oedipus”? How are they appropriate to his character?

22. On pg. 348, Jocasta suddenly pleads with Oedipus not to pursue his investigation of his true parents? Why does she suddenly do this?

Part six: Oedipus rex—scene four

23. Why is the Shepherd so hesitant to answer Oedipus’s questions?

24. For what reason did the Shepherd give Oedipus the baby to the Corinthian Messenger instead of doing what he was told and leaving it on the mountain?25. What does Oedipus realize at the end of Scene Four?

Part seven: Oedipus rex—exodos

26. Why doesn’t Oedipus kill himself? Why does he blind himself? What is the significance of him blinding himself?

27. Why does Oedipus request to be taken out of Thebes?

28. Why is Oedipus so convinced that his daughters’ futures will be filled with suffering?

29. What moral lesson does the Chorus draw from the action of the play? (lines 1468-1475)

Part eight: the tragic hero

30. Give 3 characteristics of a tragic hero and then tell me how Oedipus fits those 3 characteristics.

Part nine: literary devicesDirections: Identify to the left of the passage, the figures of speech in the passages below as similes, metaphors, personification, dramatic irony, or foreshadowing.

1. Priest: Your own eyesMust tell you: Thebes is tossed on a

murdering seaAnd cannot lift her head from the

death surge (lines 25-27)

2. Creon: My lord: long ago Laius was our king,Before you came to govern us.Oedipus: I know;I learned of him from others; I never saw him. (lines 107-109)

3. Chorus: Now I remember, O Healer, your power, and wonder:

Will you send doom like a suddencloud, or weave it

Like nightfall of the past? (lines 158-160)

Oedipus: Their (Lauis and Jocasta) son would have been my childhood brother,

If Lauis had had luck in fatherhood!(But surely ill luck rushed upon his reign)—I say I take the son’s part, just as thoughI were his son… (lines 248-252)

4. Oedipus: Why, who would not feel as I do? Who could endureYour arrogance toward the city?Teiresias: What does it matter!Whether I speak or not, it is bound to come! (lines 324-326)

5. Teiresias: But the double lash of yourparents’ curse will whip you

Out of this land some day, with only

nightUpon your precious eyes. (lines 405-407)

6. Chorus: Holy Parnassus’ peak of snowFlashes and blinds that secret man,

That all shall hunt him down:Though he may roam the forest shade Like a bull gone wild from pastureTo rage through glooms of stone (lines 458-463)

7. Oedipus (to Creon): So you dared come back.Why? How brazen of you to come to my house,You murderer! (lines 504-506)

8. Choragos (to Oedipus): You, under whose hand,In the storm of another time, Our dear land sailed out free,

But now stand fast at the helm! (lines 651-654)9. Oedipus: How strange a shadowy memory crossed my mind,Just now while you were speaking; it chilled my heart. (lines 685-686)

10. Jocasta: He (the Shepherd) cannot ever show that Laius’ deathFulfilled the oracle: for Apollo saidMy child was doomed to kill him; and my child—Poor baby!—it was my child that died first. (lines 808-811)

11. Jocasta: Our hearts are heavy with fearWhen we see our leader distracted, as helpless sailorsAre terrified by the confusion of their helmsman. (lines 876-878)

12. Choragos: Why has she (Jocasta) left us, Oedipus? Why has she goneIn such a passion of sorrow? I fear this silence: Something dreadful may come of it. (lines 1018-1020).

13. Oedipus: O three roads, dark ravine, woodland and wayWhere three roads met: you, drinking my father’s blood,My own blood, spilled by my own hand: can you rememberThe unspeakable things I did there, and the thingsI went on from there to do? (lines 1347-1351) _______________________________________________________________________

Major themes in oedipus rex

1. the limits of free will

*Prophecy very important in the play

*characters question whether prophecies should be trusted and if prophecies can be avoided entirely (free will).

*the inevitability of avoiding your fate—can it be done?

2. blindness

*the refusal to acknowledge the truth—ignoring what is right in front of you.

*Ironic that the blind Tiresias (the soothsayer) is the only person who can “see” the truth.

3. Tragic flaw

*an internal flaw within the hero causes their downfall = hubris.

*Is there something within Oedipus that causes his eventual downfall?________________________________________________________________________

Literary devices used in oedipus rex

1. simile:

A simile compares one thing to another with the use of connective words such as like or as.

Example: Maxwell’s heart leapt like a frightened cat at the unexpected barks of the dogs behind the fence.

2. metaphor:

A metaphor makes a comparison between two seemingly unlike things without using any connective words (such as like or as)

Example: Mishka’s smile was a lighthouse beacon illuminating the room.

3. personification:

Personification gives animals or objects human characteristics.

Example: the wind whispered to them as they ran through the woods.

4. dramatic irony:

When a character on stage or in a story does not know what’s going on, but the audience/readers do know what’s going on.

Example: in romeo and juliet when romeo believes that juliet is dead, but the audience knows that she is only deeply asleep, pretending to be dead.

5. foreshadowing:

a hint or suggestion of events that are going to happen later on in the story.

Example: a weapon found in a drawer early in a story might foreshadow a future crime in the story_____________________________________________________________________

The “hero” in literature

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS: The archetypal hero appears in all religions, mythologies, and epics of the world. All archetypal heroes share certain characteristics.

1.Unusual circumstances of birth

A hero's birth will always have an unusual aspect to it. Many heroes are born to royalty or are in danger at birth. Either way, they are marked by these circumstances as different and destined for greatness. Remember the beginning of Lion King? Simba's birth is being celebrated. The unusual aspect of his birth is his royal status. His father, Mumfasa, is the King of the Jungle. Moses wasn't born into royalty like Simba, but he grew up in the Pharaoh's household. Ramses II had decreed that all Hebrew male babies under age two be killed, so Moses' mother placed him in a raft on the Nile, where he was found by one of the Pharaoh's daughters. Although viewers of Star Wars must wait until the second movie to find out the truth about Luke's birth, hints about the unusual circumstances are given, such as the fact he lives with his aunt and uncle and didn't know his parents. King Arthur was not only born a prince, his father Uther Pendragon (a king) used Merlin's wizardry to seduce Arthur's mother, the wife of another man.

2.Hero leaves his family or land and lives with others

Sometimes the circumstances are traumatic that force the hero to leave, as with Simba in The Lion King or Wallace in Braveheart, both of whom lose their fathers violently. With Luke in Star Wars and Arthur in the legends of King Arthur, the circumstances are more for protection than anything else. Either way, the hero must leave his home temporarily. Simba's father is murdered by Scar...which leaves our little hero helpless and forces him to leave his kingdom. Have no fear, however, heroes always return to their land. Moses also had to leave. Remember what he did that forced him out of Egypt? He slew an

Egyptian slavemaster in anger. Now, granted, he was a man when this happened, but he still was forced out of his "land".

3. An event takes place that begins an adventure for the hero.

An event takes place that begins an adventure for the hero. Sometimes it is traumatic, like Wallace losing his wife in Braveheart, or it is coincidental, like Simba meeting Nala. Either way, the hero begins his adventure. Simba initially fights with Nala, but they soon realize they are friends. She tells him of Scar's reign, which begins Simba's quest to gain his father's kingdom back from Scar. William Wallace in Braveheart only begins to fight after his wife, Murron (on the right), is killed by the local British commander. Her death haunts him throughout the movie in addition to sparking the beginning of his quest for freedom. King Arthur began his quest by drawing the sword from the stone (not Excalibur). Not traumatic of course, but surprising because Arthur was a lowly squire at the time. Luke abruptly began his quest to fight the Empire when Stormtroopers murder his aunt and uncle. Luke left the farm and never returned, going on to become a Jedi master.

4.Special Weapon of the Hero

You can't be a hero without a cool weapon, right? It's true. In most hero stories, the hero has a special weapon, often one that only he can use.

Luke uses a light saber, an outdated weapon of the Jedi Knights, in Star Wars. Here's Luke testing the light saber Ben has just given him. The saber belonged to Luke's father. Only a Jedi can master this weapon. This is an illustration from the 1800's of Arthur receiving Excalibur from the Lady of the Lake. When Arthur died, Excalibur was thrown back into the lake because only Arthur could wield this weapon. Here's Wallace with his sword. While it doesn't appear to be anything special, only he was allowed to carry it because it represented his power and prowess as a warrior.

5. Hero Must Prove Himself

A hero just can't claim he's a hero and assume his position, now can he? The hero must prove to himself and others that he is the true hero. For instance, Moses performs many miracles to free his people from Egypt as well as help them survive the desert and reach Canaan.

Luke faces Darth in battle several times during the Star Wars trilogy. These battles, along with other services Luke provides for the Rebellion, his training with Yoda, and his personal maturing are part of the trials he must successfully pass through to become the hero. Wallace's success in battle against overwhelming odds, along with his political ability, help him to overcome the obstacles to freedom, which was his ultimate quest. Arthur's success in battle, just like Wallace's, is part of the proof of his heroic status.

Leadership and courage allow the hero to overcome obstacles that lesser men could not. That's the hero for ya'!

Moses proves himself to the Pharaoh by performing miracles that the Pharaoh's magicians cannot equal, showing Moses' power through his god. Simba, like Luke, is immature at first and unable to be the hero he will eventually become. However, once Simba realizes Scar must be removed and Simba is the only one who can do it, Simba assumes his proper role as the hero and saves the land from the evil Scar. Hmmmmm, that -does- sound just like Luke, doesn't it?

1. In the Prologue, what is Oedipus’s attitude toward the people of Thebes gathered around him? Give an example of something he says which shows this attitude.

*Oedipus’s attitude toward the people of Thebes is one as protector or guardian. Notice how he refers repeatedly to them as “my children.” He plays a role of parent to them.

2. Why do the people of Thebes have complete trust in Oedipus that he will rid the city of the plague?

*The completely trust Oedipus because he has saved them before during a traumatic event, solving the riddle of the Sphinx and destroying her.

3. Why does Oedipus ask, specifically, the Priest to speak to him?

*He asks the Priest because, as the eldest man in the group, the Priest would, or should know, most about what is going on in Thebes—it is also a sign of reverence from Oedipus.

4. Dramatic irony is a major part of this play. Explain the irony behind lines 108-109.

*Oedipus remarks that he has learned of Laius from others, that he never “saw” him. It is ironic b/c the audience knows for a fact that Oedipus has seen Laius before—when he was killing him 15 years ago!

5. What action will Oedipus take in order to rid the plague from Thebes?

*Oedipus declares that he will find the murderer of Laius and either exile him or execute him—purge him from Thebes.

6. In the Parados, when the Chorus appears on stage, which particular gods do they implore for help?*The Chorus appeals to cheifly Apollo (god of healing, prophecy/oracles, music, and archery—it was said that Apollo’s arrows could send plagues—hmmm. Interesting!), Athena (goddess of wisdom), and Artemis (goddess of the hunt and childbirth).

7. Apollo is sometimes referred to as the god of medicine. Why would the city of Thebes need the help of the god of medicine?

*Think of Thebes as a sick city, infected with the disease of the plague—it would make sense to appeal to the god of medicine or healing to help “cure” the city.

8. Why does Oedipus summon Teiresias?

*Even after receiving the reason for the plague in Thebes, Oedipus still needs the name of Laius’s murderer—Teiresias can “see” things, so he wants to see if the prophet knows the murderer’s name.

9. Why is Teiresias adamantly opposed to telling Oedipus what he knows about Laius’s murderer?

*Teiresias knows the truth—that Oediups is King Laius’s murderer; he does not want to tell him b/c he knows what kind of destruction this will bring upon Oedipus and the city of Thebes.

10. What does Oedipus first conclude about Teiresias when the prophet refuses to answer?

*He irrationally concludes that b/c Teiresias refuses to tell what he knows, that Teiresias himself must be the murderer!

11. What does Teiresias finally reveal to Oedipus, although in vague language?

*He reveals finally that Oedipus is “the murderer whom you seek.”12. How does Oedipus justify NOT believing what Teiresias has just revealed? (Remember, up to this point, he has ALWAYS believed what the prophet has told him).

*He is so shocked that he accuses Teiresias of being a “sightless, witless, senseless, mad old man.” He truly believes that Teiresias has lost his mind.

13. What suspicion does Oedipus begin to have about Creon? (lines 385-389)

*Oedipus begins to believe that Creon is behind Teiresias’s accusations b/c he thinks Creon is trying to get rid of Oedipus so that he can claim the throne.

14. Why do you think Teiresias uses riddles when he talks to Oedipus about his true parents?

*Teiresias is so angry with Oedipus’s accusations that he wants to taunt him with knowledge about his true parents—he is simply trying to get some revenge on the rude Oedipus.____________________________________________________________________

1. At the beginning of Scene 2, what is Creon angry about?

*He is angry that Oedipus has made two accusations about him: 1) that he (Creon) has conspired with Teiresias to accuse Oedipus of being King Laius’s murderer. AND 2) that Creon wants to take over Oedipus’s place as King of Thebes.

2. In lines 502-504, Choragos, the leader of the Chorus does not really make a judgment about Creon and Oedipus’s feud. Why do they NOT make a comment?

*1) The Chorus wants to play peacemaker b/t Creon and Oedipus 2) They fear repercussions if they choose a side 3) They just want to stay out of the whole fight entirely

3. What is ironic about Oedipus calling Creon a murderer in line 507?

*It is ironic in that while Oedipus is calling Creon Laius’s murderer, the audience knows that Oedipus is the real murderer of King Laius.

4. What reason(s) does Creon give to Oedipus to convince the king that he doesn’t want his throne?

*1) He tells Oed. that as the Queen’s brother, he already receives royal honors 2) He says that the responsibilities of a king are just too much for him—he would never want that job!

5. What does Oedipus threaten to do to Creon?

*While Creon suggests exile, Oedipus refuses and says that he will execute him.

6. When Jocasta first enters the scene, why is she angry at both Oedipus and Creon?

*She is angry b/c she thinks that they need to focus more on the plague that is ravaging the city rather than bicker over minor things.7. In lines 618-619, what reasons does Choragos give to Oedipus for trusting Creon? (hint: there are two!)

*1) He has never spoken like a fool (has never said foolish things before) 2) He has sworn an oath that he is being truthful

8. Why does Oedipus yield to Chorogos’s request not to punish Creon?

*He is swayed by their argument. Plus—he has bigger things to worry about: cleansing the city of the plague!

9. Why did Laius and Jocasta put their baby on the mountain-top after hearing the oracle’s prophecy? Why not just kill the baby outright?

*This enabled them to avoid the “pollution” associated with outright murder—they rationalize that they didn’t kill the baby—nature did. Keeps the blood of murder off their hands.

10. As she tries to calm Oedipus down, Jocasta mentions her opinion of prophecies and soothsayers. What is her opinion, and how did she form this opinion? (lines 666-684).

*Jocasta feels that some prophecies are not to be trusted. She backs up her claim by telling how the prophecy given to her and Laius ended up not coming true (b/c she thinks her husband was killed by robbers on the road, not their “son” as it was foretold.)

11. Why does Oedipus begin to question Jocasta more carefully in the lines on page 335?

*B/c he is beginning to suspect that he was the one who killed King Laius on the road—he needs more information from her to support or deny his suspicion.

12. Why did the household servant (the only one to survive the attack on King Laius) ask Jocasta to leave Thebes?

*Perhaps he saw Oedipus now on the throne and was afraid that if he claimed that Oed. was the killer, no one would believe him (he was just a household servant) and that Oed. might have him killed.

13. What realization does Oedipus come to at the bottom of pg. 337?

*He begins to realize that he is the one who most likely killed King Laius 15 years ago.

14. What does Oedipus NOT realize yet?

*He has yet to realize that Laius was his father and that Jocasta is really his mother.

15. What “evidence” will clear Oedipus from the murder of Laius? Hint: it will come from the household servant—if they find him!

*When the household servant came back after the attack, he told Jocasta that it was many people who attacked them. If he sticks to this story, Oedipus could not have been the killer—he acted alone. If, however, he changes his story and tells the truth, that only one person attacked them, then it will be confirmed that Oed. is the killer!

16. In Ode 2, the Chorus makes it known that people should not doubt or try to circumvent the will of the gods. Which characters may they be talking about and why?

*1) Jocasta b/c she thinks she has “outwitted” her prophecy by “killing” her son. 2) Oedipus b/c he thinks that he as “outwitted” his prophecy by leaving Corinth as a young man, thereby not killing is “father” and marrying his “mother”.

1. When the Messenger arrives from Corinth, why does he say that it is bad news AND good news that Polybus (Oedipus’s “father”) is dead?

*bad news: it is always sad to loose your “father”*good news: if Polybus is dead, then this means that that part of the prophecy (with Oedipus killing his father) cannot come true! Yay!

2. Why does Oedipus grill the Messenger on how Polybus died? Why is it so important for him to know this fact?

*It is important that Oedipus know exactly how his “father” died so that he can reassure himself that he had no hand in killing him.

3. Why, if he has not killed his “father” is Oedipus still worried about the prophecy from his youth?

*There is still the part of the prophecy where he marries his mother, so since Oedipus’s “mother” is still alive, he is fearful that that part of the prophecy will still come true.

4. What bombshell does the Messenger drop on Oedipus in line 965?

*He informs Oedipus that Polybus is not his real father.

5. According to the Messenger, why was Polybus so eager to adopt Oedipus (line 971)?

*Because Polybus and Merope could not have children of their own, so they eagerly accepted the baby Oedipus into their family.

6. We find out that the name “Oedipus” means “swollen foot” which makes sense since his feet were bound together on the mountain. However, it could also mean “to know”. How is this meaning of his name appropriate? How is this meaning of his name ironic?

*Appropriate: because he was the only person who “knew” the answer to the Sphinx’s riddle.*Ironic: because there is so much he doesn’t know—mainly about his true parentage.7. What more do we find out about the identity of the Shepherd who gave Oedipus to the king and queen of Corinth (lines 995-997) ?

*We find out that the Shepherd is also the same household servant who survived the attack that killed King Laius.

8. In lines 1000-1005, Jocasta pleads with Oedipus not to pursue his investigation into his background. What does this sudden reluctance imply about her?

*Through the Shepherd’s story, Jocasta has figured out that Oedipus is the baby she gave away to be killed in order to avoid the prophecy. She is his mother!!!!! YUCK!

9. For what reason does Oedipus think Jocasta is upset about his true parentage? What is the real reason why she is upset?

*He thinks that Jocasta is upset because she may think he came from low birth, such as slaves for parents. The true reason is SHE IS HIS MOTHER!!!!!!

10. How do lines 1018-1020, spoken by Choragos about Jocasta, function in the play? What purpose do the lines serve?

*They serve as foreshadowing for what is to come in the play. Obviously, something bad is going to happen to Jocasta.

11. In the first stanza the Chorus addresses the mountain Cithaeron on which Oedipus was left as a baby. In the second stanza the Chorus addresses Oedipus and speculates about the identity of his parents. Whom do they suggest as possible parents (1040-1050)?

*The Chorus suggests (and kind of fantasizes about) that the gods, particularly Apollo, Hermes, and Dionysus, are his parents, that Oedipus sprung from the gods.

12. When the Shepherd arrives in Scene 4, why is he hesitant to affirm that he was the one who gave Oedipus the baby to the King and Queen of Corinth?

*He is hesitant b/c he does not want to admit that he had a hand, unknowingly of course, in making this prophecy come true. If he had done what he was supposed to do, let the baby Oedipus die on the mountain instead of letting him live, then the prophecy would not have been filled!

13. What revelation does the Shepherd make about Oedipus’s true mother in lines 1106-1110? (Hint: there are 2 revelations)

*He reveals that Oedipus’s mother is Jocasta He reveals that it was Jocasta who gave baby Oedipus to him to kill (get rid of it).

14. Why do you think Oedipus rushes off the stage at the end of Scene 4? What do think he might do?

15. In Ode 4, how do you think the Chorus feels about Oedipus now? Are they angry? Disgusted? Feel pity for him? Explain your answer!

*Based on their language, it appears as if the Chorus feels pity for Oedipus. They may feel this way b/c Oedipus did not purposefully make the prophecy come true. Actually, he did everything in his power to AVOID the prophecy—so all of this is kind of not his fault._____________________________________________________________________