What exactly is family? Does this word really have any significance? This word is only mentioned directly by name in the Bible a total of five times, four of those being in the Old Testament. Genesis 2:24 reads that “Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” This statement implies that “family” is a father, mother, and child/children. Essentially that is exactly what a family is. The word family in today’s society holds a different meaning in western civilization. On a psychological level, your family is a group of people who you care deeply about; they do not have to be related in any such way. Times have changed to where mothers and fathers are figures that have brought a new life in to the world, not necessarily meaning that they raised this new being. The terms mom and dad have a different connotation than mother and father; …show more content…
The word family is just a category to sort people, typically people loved and cared for, away from people who are disliked and unwelcome. Oedipus the King takes a different outlook on “family”. Oedipus followed a prophecy that called on him to murder his father and marry his mother. All of these acts were done without the knowledge of the prophecy or who is actual parents were. Oedipus and Jocasta’s (his mother) marriage does result in childbirth, deeming his sons as his brothers and his daughters as his sisters with himself being their father and brother. When Oedipus learns of what he has does, he essentially is both mind blown and disgusted at the same time to where he decides to blind himself. I can only assume that this disgust and self-hatred is stemmed from the common acceptance of one family having a father, mother, and children, not one with incest. Deuteronomy 27:22 reads: “‘Cursed be anyone who lies with his sister, whether the daughter of his father or
The selfishness that Oedipus possesses causes him to have abundance of ignorance. This combination is what leads to his father’s death. After fleeing Corinth and his foster family, Oedipus gets into a skirmish with an older man. The reason for the fight was because, “The groom leading the horses forced me off the road at his lord’s command” (1336). Oedipus is filled with a rage after being insulted by the lord and feels the need to act. The two men fight, but Oedipus ends up being too much for the older man, and he kills him. What Oedipus is unaware of is that the man was actually his birth father and by killing him, Oedipus has started on the path of his own destruction. Not only does Oedipus kill his father, but also everyone else, “I killed them all” (1336). The other men had no part in the scuffle, but in his rage, he did not care who he was killing.
Sophocles ' Oedipus Rex begs the question: If Oedipus was insensible of his heritage when he slaughtered Laius and then wedded Jocasta, does that make him a moral man? Another question would be: Is he inherently immoral because he somehow should have known his real relatives on some level? If one assumes that he is innocent because no one told him the situation, then that is a modern day take on the event. There are other ways to look at the case. Mainly, children can sense who their parents are on some psychological level and vice versa. Therefore, Oedipus really should have known, even if he claims he had no idea. In the examination of these questions lies the moral ambiguity of the play.
Family, defined by the Online Merriam Webster Dictionary is, “a group of related people including people who lived in the past.” I believed that the wording of this definition is important because of the word related. The Online Merriam Webster Dictionary defines related as “belonging to the same group because of shared characteristics, qualities, etc.” This goes to show that a family does not have to be lineage, heritage, or chromosomes. There are many different types of families, and though many people think of a nuclear family when they think of a family, there are so many more qualities to consider when deciding how to personally define family.
The priest describes Oedipus as the people’s “greatest power ” ( line 16) -- this reveals much about the perspective of the people relating to Oedipus and in turn, the general character of Oedipus himself. The “great power” of Oedipus is god-like and he potentially possesses the power to save the city. He possesses the power to either rule by logic or by emotion. This description shows the people's infallible reverence and respect for their leader, a respect that had to be earned. Later in the Priest's speech, he refers to the relationship between the people and the king to be familial. The Priest describes the suffering men and women, the sons and daughters of Oedipus, in a solemnly hopeful light. His purpose for this was to provoke an emotional response by the king -- to express his knowledge that the king cares about his “family”. The priests expression of trust within Oedipus reveals Oedipus to be a father figure or a god-like ruler who rules by emotion and care for his
In a Utopian society most of us would rejoice in knowing that two people such as Mel and Kel who care so deeply for one another, have found each other and are willing to spend the rest of their lives together. Unfortunately we don’t live in a society of that quality and admiration. In any culture, it’s generally conceived that the family is the absolute core of a society. In that, the norms and values of a civilization are directly conveyed from one generation to another through this bloodline. But what exactly is a family? Are there distinct specifications, qualifications or even guidelines that govern the framework for what a family should be? In the Webster’s dictionary a “family” is clearly defined as: “the basic unit in society having as its nucleus two or more adults living together and cooperating in the care and rearing of their own or adopted children.
They did not care about anyone but themselves. The parents of Oedipus did not think they could change the fate of the gods. Jocasta did not want to marry her son that she would be raising. She could have prevented that by raising the child, so the Oedipus would have known that she is his mother. Oedipus would have known about his parents if they did not have him almost killed. Once again, they could have raised him and avoided the fate by free will. When Oedipus’ servants found Jocasta, they told Oedipus that “There we beheld his wife hanging, entwined/In a twisted noose” (Sophocles 47). Jocasta had killed herself because she found out that she fell for fate and had no control of her free will. The parents of Oedipus, Laius and Jocasta, did not want the oracle to be fulfilled because of their reputation. The Chorus would describe their pride as "…the germ of kings" (Sophocles 33). They only cared for themselves and what the people of Thebes thought about them. The death of the king and queen could have been warded off by free will to conquer their fate. Laius and Jocasta were young at the time of Oedipus’ birth, but it is no excuse to be irresponsible and
But other grievous things he prophesied, woes, lamentations, mourning, portents dire; to wit I should defile my mother's bed and raise up seed too loathsome to behold, and slay the father from whose loins I sprang” (791-797).Oedipus knowledge leads him to realize of his fate. Even Though the oracle told him that he was going to marry his mother and killed his father, which that cause of his own downfall. He thought his other parents were his real parents but they were not and he did not know about it
Family as defined by Webster’s College Dictionary can be one of many different people. Family can be your parents, spouse, children, brother, sister, grandmother, uncle, any blood relative, or even people who are not blood related that share that common bond (Webster 475). My definition of family is similar to Webster’s, but I feel that there is more to it than just being a blood relative or close friend. A person’s actions, beliefs, and morals play a major role in deciding who makes it into that “family” group. Family becomes more of an idea or feeling, like love or hate, than just who a person is or where they fall in your family tree. There have been people that I have considered closer than family just by their actions, even though they were nowhere near related to me. Fortunately, I have not had any blood relation family members make me wish they were not in my “family” (maybe my older sister when we were younger, but that doesn’t count). While reading from Children and Families in our text, I came across many readings that I feel were inspired in many different ways by what the author believed was “family.” There were two readings that jumped out at me and reminded me of my view of how a family should be in their interactions with each other. They were the short story “Flight” by Doris Lessing and the poem “Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes. There was also one writing that I read that went against my idea of family and made me happy that this wasn’t the way that my family acted as I grew up, that was “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid. And while some authors lean their writing one direction or another, Adrienn...
It seems as if the classical works are replete with dysfunctional families. Oedipus the King is no exception. If the core of a society is found in the nuclear family, then it may be sensible to assume that the Greeks were maligned at the center. On the other hand, they may have been the pinnacle of familial honor if they rooted out their most devious and dangerous escapades in the theater rather than the commons. Whatever the interpretation, there may be value in seeking greater understanding of these people and the meanings of their theatrical themes. One way to gain insight on these matters is to consult one of the greatest critics of ancient times. Aristotle made an interesting commentary about Oedipus the King. He branded the main character of the play a tragic hero. Perhaps, there is more to Oedipus and his tragic story than meets the eye.
Family, and its definition, is universal, it describes a union, particularly with parents and children. One could define Family as a group of people who are related to each other, a person’s children, and a group of related people who lived in the past. In reality, Family has a profound meaning, unique to every household and family. On a personal note, family is defined as a foundation of love, support, and strength.
Your marriage strikes from the grave to murder mine” (scene 4, 40-41). Antigone alludes to the alleged scourge, originating from the marriage of Oedipus and Jocasta. The family curse is yet again mentioned in Ode 2, when the chorus sings, “I have seen this gathering sorrow from time long past loom upon Oedipus’ children; generation from generation takes the compulsive rage of the enemy god. So lately, this last flower of Oedipus’ line drank the sunlight! But now a passionate word and a handful of dust have closed up all its beauty” (ode 2, 7-12).
A family might include anyone related by blood or by adoption such as: step parents, grandparents acting as parents, and even brothers and sisters sharing the same household. However, worldwide “the family is regarded as the most ba...
The word “family” is unique, special, and controversial among different cultures and ethnicities. As defined by Random House Western Dictionary, a family is “any group of persons closely related by blood, as parents, children, uncles, aunts, and cousins” (Dictionary.com). Although the definition from Random House follows the infamous proverb of, “blood is thicker than water,” my definition of family does not. Family is not defined or restricted by blood relations. In my mind, a family is simply a group of people, who loves, supports, and helps each other unconditionally, and endlessly. Regardless of one’s sexual orientation or preference, all families embody these common principles. Thus, a family unites its members through the strong bonds and kinships formed when people come together. (Great intro.)
When the word “family” is discussed most people think of mothers, fathers, and other siblings. Some people think of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and even cousins and more on the pedigree tree. Without family in people 's lives they would not be the same people that they grew up to be today and in the future. When people hear the word family they think about, the ones who will help them in any way they can whether it 's money, support, advice, or anything to help them succeed in life. Family will forever be the backbone of support. They are the ones who support their children during those life decisions. Family is not always blood related. Finally family is forever, family will never go away.
Everyone seems to define family differently, however, the significance of family is the same. For you, family means everything. You can always count on your parents and siblings for help and love. Family is very valuable and important to you and should never be taken for granted. No one can deny that family is the foundation of our generation. A family is where we all start our life journey and helps us grow to be successful throughout our lives.