Oedipus Rex Background

 

(image of Sophocles, a Greek playwright)

Sophocles is a famous Greek playwright who was born around 496 B.C.E.. He won many first and second prizes in Annual Athenian dramatic competitions. He was also elected as a high military official although he was never active in military. He wrote more than a hundred plays including Electra and Oedipus Rex. 

(image of Oedipus Myth, solving Sphinx's riddle)

Oedipus Rex is a famous Greek myth about Oedipus, who was born  to kill his father and to marry his mother. Oedipus was born as a son of King Laius and Queen Jocasta but after his prophecy is revealed, he is abandoned by his parents. Oedipus is raised in stepparents' hands; after knowing his prophecy, Oedipus decides to leave his stepparents thinking they're his biological parents. On the way, he kill a man who's Oedipus's biological father. Also after defeating the Sphinx, Oedipus marries the widowed Queen Jocasta, who is his biological mother and becomes the king of Thebes. 

(image of Oedipus Rex, the play)

Oedipus Rex is an Athenian play written by Sophocles and first performed in B.C 429. It's performed in the Theater of Dionysus (semi circular stadium with about 17,000 curved seats). Sophocles wrote this play that is full of taboos so people will avoid and refuse them. It's performed during the Dionysus festival so it can warn the audience from taking wrong actions. It also contains some religious faiths like men cannot change what god's predestined. 

(image of Oedipus and Jocasta)

Oedipus was born as a prince of Thebes but soon he was abandoned by his parents because of his prophecy. He was raised by caring stepparents and Oedipus leaves them when he acknowledges his faith. Oedipus tries hard to change his faith but as it turns out, he eventually follows the faith. He represents that it's impossible for men to change their faith. He is also the tragic hero because he never escapes from the abyss.

(image of a Greek Tragedy, Miscellanea dionysiaca)

Greek Tragedy includes Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides. Greek Tragedy begins with a prologue where one or more character explains about the story. Then there's parados which story reveals three or more episodes. Lastly the tragedy ends with exodus which concludes the story. The origin of tragedy is unknown, but usually Greek Tragedy has its stem on epic and lyric poetry.

(image of Dramatic Irony)

Dramatic Irony is when the audience know what's going to happen but the characters does not. Romeo and Juliet is a example of dramatic irony because the audience knows that Romeo and Juliet will eventually die but the characters don't know. Dramatic Irony is used in tragedies; In the Oedipus Rex, the audience knows who Oedipus murdered and who he married but Oedipus doesn't knows. Dramatic Irony makes the play more tragic because although the audience know the tragic that will happen they cannot change it.

(image of Hubris, excessive pride)

Hubris means excessive pride or arrogance. In ancient Greek, the word hubris means shame of victim so the abuser has joy. In Greek literature, it means infractions by mortals against other mortals. The word explains Greek view of honor and shame. If one is honored, someone has to be shamed. 

(image of Aristotle)

Aristotle is a Greek philosopher born in 384 B.C.E.. He contributed in Greek physics, poetry, theater, music, logic, and politics. He was also the tutor of the Alexander the Great. He also defines the word Hubris as shaming the victim for one's gratification. 

(image of Teiresias, transformed into a woman by Hera)

Also called Tiresias, Teiresias is the blind prophet of Thebes. He was transformed into a woman by Hera for seven years. Moreover, he helps Oedipus find the murderer of previous king Lauis; but he doesn't tell Oedipus the murder, which Oedipus gets very angry at and Oedipus throws him out of the palace. He also gives advice about cattle of Helios to Odysseus in the underworld. 

(image of Moirai, of the fates)

In the Greek mythology, the Moirai or the fates predestine what one's faith. The three Moirai are Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos. In Greek mythology, oftentimes heroes are destined by the Moirai, like Oedipus the king. The heroes tries to follow or change their faith but as in the Oedipus Rex, the faith is unchangeable even for the gods. Therefore, Greeks believed human's life was predestined and they will follow their faith no matter what.