Oedipus Rex Terms associated with the 1st

readingp. 1-23/5-36

RetrospectionRetrospection:___________________:___________________

Tragic HeroTragic Hero—In order for a character to be —In order for a character to be considered a considered a Tragic HeroTragic Hero they need to they need to possess the following:possess the following:

– Noble Status Noble Status – Inner NobilityInner Nobility– Free WillFree Will– Tragic FlawTragic Flaw

3 Ironies3 Ironies: : – Verbal, Situational, DramaticVerbal, Situational, Dramatic

Oedipus Rex Oedipus Rex First Readings p. 1-23/5-36First Readings p. 1-23/5-36

What do we learn about Oedipus’ What do we learn about Oedipus’ virtues as a ruler?virtues as a ruler?Tragic Hero Tragic Hero

– Noble Status:Noble Status:

– Inner Nobility:Inner Nobility:

Exposition/Rise in Action

Early in the exposition what do we learn about the situation in Thebes?

Exposition

Rise in Action

Turning Point/Climax

Fall in Action

Catastrophe

Wha

t que

stio

n drive

s

the

onse

t o

f th

e

pla

y?

What information does Creon What information does Creon supply? supply?

Why is this an example of Why is this an example of retrospection? retrospection?

What does Oedipus declare will be the What does Oedipus declare will be the fate of the murderer of King Laius ? fate of the murderer of King Laius ?

What type of irony is this an example What type of irony is this an example of?of?

Who is Tiresias and what is his message? Who is Tiresias and what is his message?

Of what significance is his blindness? Of what significance is his blindness? SYMBOLSYMBOL

What is Oedipus’ response to the What is Oedipus’ response to the revelations of Tiresias?revelations of Tiresias?

Component of the Tragic HeroComponent of the Tragic Hero

What initial signs of rashness do What initial signs of rashness do we see in Oedipus? we see in Oedipus?

Where do you think these signs Where do you think these signs would fall within the Tragic Hero would fall within the Tragic Hero components?components?

What false conclusion does What false conclusion does Oedipus reach as a result of his Oedipus reach as a result of his quarrel with Tiresias? quarrel with Tiresias?

What effect could this conclusion What effect could this conclusion have on Oedipus?have on Oedipus?

What role does the first senator What role does the first senator play in the quarrel between Creon play in the quarrel between Creon and Oedipus?and Oedipus?

What do we learn about Creon’s What do we learn about Creon’s character?character?

Oedipus Rex Oedipus Rex p. 23-33/36-51p. 23-33/36-51

When Jocasta questions what has When Jocasta questions what has happened between Creon and Oedipus, happened between Creon and Oedipus, what does the Senator/chorus tell her? what does the Senator/chorus tell her?

Why do you suppose he does this?Why do you suppose he does this?

Pg. 26/27 ; p.41Pg. 26/27 ; p.41

How does Jocasta reassure her How does Jocasta reassure her husband that he could not be the killer husband that he could not be the killer of King Laius?of King Laius?

Jocasta uses ______________ when she Jocasta uses ______________ when she recalls the former King’s prophesy and recalls the former King’s prophesy and apparent death. (Lit. term) apparent death. (Lit. term)

Turning Point of the Turning Point of the playplay

How does the Jocasta describe the former King?How does the Jocasta describe the former King?—be specific. —be specific.

During his conversation with Jocasta, what During his conversation with Jocasta, what characteristic of the characteristic of the Tragic Hero Tragic Hero does Oedipus does Oedipus display. display.

Turning Point/Climax

Oedipus

Zeus

Exposition

Rise in Action

Turning Point/Climax

Fall in Action

Catastrophe

How

to

save

The

bes?

Tiresias

Creon

Turning PointTurning PointWhy is this passage so important to Why is this passage so important to the plot of the play?the plot of the play?

What question has been driving What question has been driving the first part of the play? What the first part of the play? What was Oedipus’ primary objective?was Oedipus’ primary objective?

What is he left to question AFTER What is he left to question AFTER his conversation with Jocasta?his conversation with Jocasta?

Turning Point/Climax

Oedipus

Zeus

Exposition

Rise in Action

Turning Point/Climax

Fall in Action

Catastrophe

How

to

save

The

bes?

Tiresias

Creon

Jocasta/Retrospection

Has Oedipus connected Has Oedipus connected the dots??the dots??

What important information does What important information does Oedipus share with his Oedipus share with his wife/momma?wife/momma?

After his conversation with Jocasta, After his conversation with Jocasta, what “last hope” does he hold on what “last hope” does he hold on to? to?

Turning Point Cont…Turning Point Cont…

By the end of p. 33/51, the By the end of p. 33/51, the Corinth Messenger arrives in Corinth Messenger arrives in Thebes. What news does he Thebes. What news does he bring? Why is this SO SIGNIFICNT bring? Why is this SO SIGNIFICNT to the plot?to the plot?

““Revelations”Revelations”

By the end of this section, what By the end of this section, what has Oedipus come to realize? has Oedipus come to realize? Jocasta? Jocasta?

Oedipus’ crimes are not the first in Oedipus’ crimes are not the first in the unraveling of this tragedy. the unraveling of this tragedy. What is believed to be the crime of What is believed to be the crime of Laius and Jocasta?Laius and Jocasta?

Oedipus Rex TermsOedipus Rex Termsp. 23-33/36-51p. 23-33/36-51

5 “cides”5 “cides”– InfanticideInfanticide::

– GenocideGenocide::

– RegicideRegicide::

– PatricidePatricide::

– SuicideSuicide::

Oedipus RexOedipus Rexp. 34-46/52-73 p. 34-46/52-73

Oedipus feels he may have Oedipus feels he may have surpassed his fate when he hears surpassed his fate when he hears the news that his “father”(the the news that his “father”(the King of Corinth) has died of King of Corinth) has died of sickness and old age. Who does sickness and old age. Who does he still fear and how is this a form he still fear and how is this a form of irony?of irony?

Falling Action (1)Falling Action (1)

What does the Corinth messenger What does the Corinth messenger tell Oedipus about his past?tell Oedipus about his past?

Why is this so important to the Why is this so important to the play?play?

Fall in Action 1Fall in Action 1

Oedipus

Zeus/Oracle of Apollo

Exposition

Rise in Action

Turning Point/Climax

Jocasta/Retrospection

Fall in Action

Catastrophe

How

to

save

The

bes?

Who am

I?

Tiresias

Creon

Corinth Messenger

Jocasta’s DenialJocasta’s Denial

Why does Jocasta attempt to keep Oedipus from Why does Jocasta attempt to keep Oedipus from questioning the shepherd?questioning the shepherd?

How does Oedipus misconstrue her pleas to stop his How does Oedipus misconstrue her pleas to stop his investigation?investigation?

Jocasta says, Jocasta says, “O, woe, woe, unhappy! This is all I have “O, woe, woe, unhappy! This is all I have to say to thee, and no word more, forever!” to say to thee, and no word more, forever!” What What does she mean by this? does she mean by this?

What is implied about self-knowledge and its price in What is implied about self-knowledge and its price in Oedipus RexOedipus Rex??

Falling Action (2)Falling Action (2)

Why is the shepherd reluctant to Why is the shepherd reluctant to speak?speak?

How does Oedipus demonstrate his How does Oedipus demonstrate his free will free will and ultimately one of his and ultimately one of his tragic flaws tragic flaws while talking to the old while talking to the old shepherd?shepherd?

What facts does the shepherd bring to What facts does the shepherd bring to light?light?

Fall in Action 2Fall in Action 2

Oedipus

Zeus/Oracle of Apollo

Exposition

Rise in Action

Turning Point/Climax

Jocasta/Retrospection

Fall in Action

Catastrophe

How

to

save

The

bes?

Who am

I?

Tiresias

Creon

Corinth Messenger

The making of a The making of a CatastropheCatastrophe

What news does the 2What news does the 2ndnd messenger messenger bring concerning Jocasta? bring concerning Jocasta?

Concerning Oedipus?Concerning Oedipus?

How is this fitting for both How is this fitting for both characters in the play?characters in the play?

Catastrophe/Exodus

Oedipus

Zeus/Oracle of Apollo

Exposition

Rise in Action

Turning Point/Climax

Jocasta

Fall in Action

Catastrophe

How

to

save

The

bes?

Who am

I?

Tiresias

Creon

Corinth Messenger

Slave/Witness/”Shepherd”

Oedipus “sees” the Oedipus “sees” the light…light…

What admirable trait is revealed about Oedipus’ What admirable trait is revealed about Oedipus’ character in the scene where he discovers the full character in the scene where he discovers the full truth about himself?truth about himself?

How has Oedipus come full circle?How has Oedipus come full circle?

How has he evolved into Tiresias?How has he evolved into Tiresias?

Why and what type of irony is this?Why and what type of irony is this?

What does Oedipus’ reaction to his downfall say What does Oedipus’ reaction to his downfall say about his character?about his character?

Theme: Self-Theme: Self-KnowledgeKnowledge How do the metaphors of vision How do the metaphors of vision

and blindness reflect the theme and blindness reflect the theme of Oedipus arriving at self-of Oedipus arriving at self-knowledge? knowledge?

MetaphorMetaphorThebes Thebes

How does the image of the plague-How does the image of the plague-stricken city of Thebes serve as an stricken city of Thebes serve as an ironic comment on Oedipus’ situation?ironic comment on Oedipus’ situation?

5 “cides”

Infanticide

Genocide Regicide Patricide

Suicide

OEDIPUS’ CRIMES

JOCASTA AND KING LAIUS’ CRIMES

JOCASTA…WHY? What does this tell us about her character? Contrast her with

Oedipus.

How much control do the Gods have in

all of this??

Can we chalk any of it up to mere coincidence?

Theme: Self-KnowledgeTheme: Self-KnowledgeHow does Oedipus arrive at self-How does Oedipus arrive at self-

knowledge?knowledge?

Oedipus’ character coming

full circle

What decision is Oedipus faced with at this point in the play?

Exodus

What does Oedipus ask of Creon?

Creon’s reply?

Oedipus’ Evolution

Initial Character1. Bent on_________________

2. Rash and Proud of _______________________

3. _______________________

4. _______________of those around him

5. _________________________ Gods/Prophecy

Forces of Change

1. Quest for_________________

2. Conversations with

_______________________ _______________________ _______________________

3. Suspicions of others prove _______________________

Oedipus’ Evolution Cont…

Final Character

1. Respects the power of ______________ 2. ________and _______ of his shame

3. ______________4. ______________

Theme of Fate:

Sophocles raised the philosophical question of FATE Sophocles raised the philosophical question of FATE and it’s effect in one’s life….What effect does FATE and it’s effect in one’s life….What effect does FATE have on Oedipus and his situation? Family? Thebes?have on Oedipus and his situation? Family? Thebes?

……what is meant to be, will be.what is meant to be, will be. Do you still agree/disagree now that we have read and Do you still agree/disagree now that we have read and

analyzed the text?analyzed the text?

Theme of Theme of Radical Alienation:Radical Alienation:

What does it mean to be What does it mean to be “radically alienated”?“radically alienated”?

How was Oedipus radically How was Oedipus radically alienated?alienated?

1.1. ________________

2.2. ________________

3.3. ________________

4.4. ________________

Tragic Vision:Tragic Vision:Sophocles purposeSophocles purpose

What does the story of Oedipus What does the story of Oedipus teach us, the reader?teach us, the reader?

– The story of OedipusThe story of Oedipus teaches us that teaches us that we never truly know ourselves as we we never truly know ourselves as we think we do. Sophocles wants us think we do. Sophocles wants us (his readers) to consider the fact (his readers) to consider the fact that one cannot escape, what is that one cannot escape, what is meant to be…meant to be…

……what is meant to be, will what is meant to be, will be.be.

Right???Right???Do we----or can we----control our own destiny or fate?Do we----or can we----control our own destiny or fate?

Did Oedipus ever have a chance? Did Oedipus ever have a chance?

Was he destined to travel down this path? If so, why?Was he destined to travel down this path? If so, why?

What did he think about FATE?What did he think about FATE?

Jocasta?Jocasta?

Your self?Your self?

Symbolism in Symbolism in Oedipus RexOedipus Rex

Mt. Delphi (home of Apollo):Mt. Delphi (home of Apollo):

the Sphinx:the Sphinx:

the Plague:the Plague:

Blindness:Blindness:

Corinth:Corinth:

Important TERMS in Important TERMS in Oedipus Rex:Oedipus Rex:

Greek Mythology:Greek Mythology: Greek Tragedy:Greek Tragedy: Tragic Hero:Tragic Hero: Retrospection:Retrospection: 5 “cides”:5 “cides”: 3 parts of a Greek Play:3 parts of a Greek Play: 3 types of irony:3 types of irony:

Themes in Themes in Oedipus Rex:Oedipus Rex:

Self-Knowledge:Self-Knowledge:

Fate:Fate:

Radical Alienation:Radical Alienation:

Tragic Vision:Tragic Vision: