Kind Oedipus by Sophocles

King Oedipus – Essay

Sophocles’ King Oedipus, first performed in 429 B.C., the year Pericles passed away, was an Ancient Greek Tragedy, written in accordance with Aristotle’s notions of classical tragedy as depicted in his great work on aesthetics, Ars Poetica. The conventions of tragedy used varied greatly, ranging from plot events to characterisation, and, these conventions were exploited by the great Sophocles to arouse strong emotions of pity and fear in such a way as to accomplish a catharsis.

The main emotions provoked in King Oedipus are pity and fear. This great play explores the internal strife when it comes to feeling compelled to help Oedipus but at the same time, not being able to do so out of fear of the consequences.

The most prominent emotion would be the emotion of fear as it overthrows any pre-existing balance with compassion out of the audience’s protective instincts. In the case of King Oedipus, any mention of the gods is practically synonymous with at least a hint of fear as at the time (5th century B.C.), citizens were all strong believers in God, devout and respectful, showing their respect by being obedient and acknowledging readily, the importance of oracles and fate.

An example of where the emotion of fear is provoked is when Jocasta’s respect for the gods fades resulting in her dramatically accusing the oracle of being wrong in prophesying Oedipus would kill his father, scorning the oracle. This is an example of characterisation as it develops Jocasta’s character by suggesting that deep down she has been convinced for some time that she has successfully outmanoeuvred the gods. This convention contributes to a feeling of fear as the audience would be taken aback by Jocasta’s reckless impiety. This fear wou...

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...lminate in an overwhelming flow of emotions in the audience.

In conclusion, Sophocles’ interpretation of the myth of Oedipus the King provides the basis for all accumulation of emotional suspense that could only end marvellously and to great and long-lasting dramatic effect, in the ideal tragic response of catharsis as described by Aristotle in his work Poetics. This catharsis is brought about through the introduction of various emotions, chiefly fear and pity, both of which are developed by the audience’s interpretation of various plot events and other conventions featuring in this great tragedy. The mark of this brilliant work lying in its beautiful gift of leaving a deep, meaningful and at times, overwhelmingly emotional impression on any one, whether it be Ancient Athenians or the present day, 21st century literature students, fortunate enough to come across it.