Oedipus the King is one out of the three of Sophocles plays that survived. This play is Sophocles’ second written tragedy. A tragedy has tragic events that usually lead to a downfall of the main character; in Oedipus the King, the main character is Oedipus. This tragedy has been translated into many versions. Each translation gives a slightly different meaning based on the translator. No matter the translator, each translation gives the same plot of Oedipus the King. Born with a curse, Oedipus was doomed to kill his father and wife his mother. Unable to kill him, Oedipus’ mother ties his ankles and leaves on a hill where a shepherd rescues and then raises him. Later on, Oedipus tries saving Thebes, and soon comes to realize he is the one bringing …show more content…
The word “nay” followed by a comma and the conjunction “but” shows Oedipus’ negative outlook on his incestuous behavior that is meant to be unspoken of. Ironically, Oedipus brings awareness to his wrongful actions by talking about how his actions are “unmeet” to speak about. The use of the word “name” causes the loss of a specific subject displaying Oedipus’ shame. Addressing Creon as “ye” portrays Oedipus at a lower status since he uses the formal second person singular. Rather than conversing with Creon as his brother-in- law by using words that show their equivalence, Oedipus uses formal version to speak to him as his uncle. The use of the colon allows the rest of the sentence to expand on the previous statement. After vaguely speaking of his wrongs, Oedipus lists the punishments he believes he deserves. Because the part after the colon is much longer than the previous, it reveals that Oedipus holds a stronger desire to be punished for his wrongs than be reminded of his wicked relationship. This elongation of possible punishments displays Oedipus’ true desire for condemnation. His king-like characteristics still appear as he tells Creon no one will “behold” him anymore. The use of the word “behold” makes Oedipus imply he still believes – even after his acts – that he holds an impressive nature. He does not tell Creon to come, but to …show more content…
Oedipus commands Creon to “come” and - with the use of hyphens - he skips over his unspoken wrong and goes right into another order. His belief in his higher rank is still visible as he directs Creon despite his contemptible acts. He loses all association from Thebes by calling the land “your” land, which shows he does not believe a man like himself is worthy to rule the country. Although this is a negative thought, he still sets himself apart from the rest of the people. The use of “to be” allows for an ambiguous state of being. With Oedipus gone, Creon will have no “sight” of him. By the loss of sight and the doubtful existence, without Oedipus, the people lose their senses and control of their reality. The following are more demands Oedipus makes. His controlling manner allows his kinglike way to remain. He makes himself appear superior to the rest of humanity by declaring that he is the only “man” that can handle the “evil doom” he has gone through. Oedipus does not allow his curse to prevent him from becoming equivalent to the rest of humanity; he stills holds onto his
So far in the tragedy of Oedipus the King, Oedipus has blinded himself following Queen Jocasta’s act of suicide due to his realization the he has committed tremendous actions. The chorus and Oedipus both mention how there is suffering in the world and how Oedipus has suffered greatly. The cause for Oedipus’ suffering was the Greek god, Apollo, as Apollo did create the prophecy. Oedipus states his wrong-doing while the Chorus consoles him. Just as the Chorus continues to try to relieve Oedipus, the Creon arrives and speaks with Oedipus, trying to help him through these troubling times as well. While the translations of this passage differs in their wording, they do convey the same message of realizing Oedipus’ wrongdoings, suffering, and plans for the future of his life. Both the translations by Fagles and Sheppard differ greatly in their choice of wording while trying to convey the same meaning as the original tragedy, their words do matter and result in the effectiveness of their versions. The translation by Fagles is the victor of conveying meaning to Oedipus as he provides a stronger tone and his use of literary devices is more extensive than that of Sheppard.
The Conspirators. You will pay dearly for trying to put the blame on me” (Oedipus Tyrannus, 399-402). This damages his relationship with Creon, which may have something to do with Creon’s poor treatment of Oedipus in Oedipus at Colonus. As Oedipus himself describes it, Creon comes “not to take [Oedipus] home, but to dump me out on the frontier to protect Thebes from fighting a war against Athens” (Oedipus at Colonus, 783-786). Creon seeks not to help Oedipus, as he claims, but to use his divine power with no regard for Oedipus’s peace or happiness.
“Shepherd: I am on the brink of dreadful speech/ Oedipus: And I of dreadful hearing yet I must hear” (Sophocles 63) With this Oedipus shows that he wants the truth to be reveled so that he can save the city and have the truth realized. It does not matter what the truth is only that he must know who he needs to kill or banish to save the people of Thebes. Oedipus also shows his care for the city of Thebes when he finally learns the truth about who his parents were and that he had in fact fulfilled the prophecy that he had so desired to not do. Oedipus chooses to still banish himself and stick to what he promised the city at the beginning of the play. “conceal me somewhere far from Thebes” (Sophocles 75) Oedipus does this to not only hid from the shame he receives from fulfilling the prophecy but to also end the plague and to save the people of Thebes. Finally Oedipus shows his quality of care for his children a trait that makes him more admirable in the play. This moment is shown after Oedipus finds out that he has fulfilled the prophecy and is the reason for the plague. Then he blinds himself and prepares to banish himself but before he is banished he asks for Creon and asks of a favour “Take care of them Creon do this for me” (Sophocles 77) Thus Oedipus shows his compassion for his children
In the Oedipus at Colonus, there are three major themes of the play, prophecy, guilt and death. Each of them is part of how Oedipus’ life plays out. The prophecy told that he was the killer of his own father and married his mother, and how the guilt, he had for committing these acts, by gouging out his own eyes; and how after his family disowned him then wanting him to help them knowing that whoever was on Oedipus’ side would win the war. Also where Oedipus’ body should be laid to rest after his death.
In the opening of the play, we learn that Creon has been proclaimed king. We expect Creon to be the same rational man as we saw him to be in Oedipus the King who stood up for justice and defended the right deeds. However, later on we can clearly see that this is not the same Creon. Creon, the King, has been corrupted by the power bestowed upon him.
the play, Oedipus is faced with the truth and fails to acknowledge it. He is first told by the drunk at the party, but he dismisses it as just something said by an ignorant drunk. He then visits the oracle and is told his fate determined by the gods and believes he can escape it by fleeing to Thebes. On his way, he carries out the first part of the fate by killing his father. He then makes it to Thebes and marries Jocasta, unknowingly fulfilling the fate.
“…they will never see the crime I have committed or had done upon me!” These are the words Oedipus shouted as he blinds himself upon learning the truth of his past. It is ironic how a person blessed with perfect physical vision could in reality be blind to to matters of life and conscience. During his prime as King of Thebes, Oedipus is renowned for his lucidity and his ability to rule with a clear concept of justice and equality. The people loved him for his skill and wit, as he saved Thebes from the curse of the Sphinx. As a result, Oedipus became overly confident, and refuses to see that he may be the cause of the malady that is plaguing his kingdom. Although physically Oedipus has full use of his eyes, Sophocles uses sight to demonstrate how Oedipus is blind to the truth about his past what it might me for both him and his kingdom. Upon learning the truth, Oedipus gouges out his eyes, so he won’t have to look upon his children, or the misfortune that is his life. Once physically unable to see, Oedipus has clear vision as to his fate, and what must be done for his kingdom and his family
Another example of Oedipus’ presumptuous temperament is when he immediately assumes that Creon is trying to take his power from him. Creon sends Tiresias to Oedipus to help him solve the crime of the plague, and when Tiresias reveals that Oedipus must die in order to save the people of Thebes, Oedipus assumes Creon is trying to take his throne. Creon even tells Oedipus, “…if you think crude, mindless stubbornness such a gift, you’ve lost your sense of balance” (Meyer 1438). Oedipus’ impulsive nature leads him to discovering the truth and reveals that he has indeed fulfilled the prophecy he was running from.
Creon however does not become king. The power of kingship falls into the hands of Oedipus’s two sons, Eteocles and Polynices. In a fight over power Eteocles and Polynices die at each other’...
When Creon, brother in law of Oedipus accuses him of being a murder, Oedipus was really mad. He accuses Creon of betrayal and hypocrisy. In another speech, Oedipus accuses Creon for pointing him as guilty for the murder of Laius. We can see that when Oedipus says:
In Oedipus, he wanted nothing more than to help Oedipus rid the city of whatever plague the gods were hurling at them. Creon goes to Apollo's shrine to find out why the gods are angry and then brings Tiresias to help Creon see what has the gods angry. Oedipus does not want to believe the truths Tiresias is telling him and falsely accuses Creon of plotting against him to become king of Thebes. Creon is so hurt by this that he tells the chorus, "This accusation against me by our ruler Oedipus, It's outrageous. (514)" By the end of the play, Creon tells Oedipus that "I'm always as good as my word; I don't speak before I think(1520)."
Sophocles' trilogy of Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus, and Antigone is a powerful, tragic tale that examines the nature of human guilt, fate and punishment. Creon, Oedipus' uncle and brother-in-law, is the story's most dynamic character. His character experiences a drastic metamorphosis through the span of the three dramas. Creon's vision of a monarch's proper role, his concept of and respect for justice, as well as his respect for the design evolve considerably by the trilogy's tragic conclusion.
Oedipus is the main character in the play Oedipus the King. Oedipus is thought of as a tragic figure because he was doomed from birth. Tiresias, an old blind prophet, told Oedipus' parents about Oedipus' fate. He told them that Oedipus would kill his father and sleep with his mother. So, his parents decided to have him killed, only it did not happen that way. He was passed off by two shepherds and finally to the King and Queen of Corinth, Polybus and Merope to raise him as their own. Oedipus finds his way back to Thebes and on the way kills his father, but Oedipus did not know that one of the men he killed was his real father. This is the beginning of the prophecy coming true. In short Oedipus obtains the throne, Marries his mother and has kids with her. Oedipus' fate has come together without him even realizing what is going on. Eventually he is told what has happened and asks to be banished by his uncle/brother-in-law Creon. The tragedy in Oedipus' life began with his birth and the realization by his parents that his whole life was doomed.
The play is divided into three parts. This is very logical. In The first part we have the problem and the accusation of Creon. In part two we have the discovery of the truth. At the end of the play we find the truth and the consequences of it. Oedipus admits his blindness, feels ashamed and is pious.
Oedipus loses all trust for Creon and thinks that he is plotting to kill him and steal the thrown. This, however, is not true at all. Creon even says that he would rather not be king. He is equal in all decision making with Oedipus and Jocasta. So why would he want the extra hassle of actually having to be the king. Oedipus doesn’t listen and wants to have Creon banished or killed.