1. Important and enduring literature embodies a universal truth about the nature of man. How does Oedipus the King, written in 430 BC, speak philosophically to contemporary readers with truths that are still relevant?
2. Odipus the King has recurring images of vision and blindness, darkness and light, knowledge and ignorance. Analyze the varied and multiple meanings of these images and comment on their importance in understanding the character of Oedipus.
3. Aristotle's conception of the tragic hero is defined as a hero who brings about his own downfall as a result of a flaw within his character. Is Oedipus the archetypal flawed human who has preicpiated his own downfall or is he a mere victim of the gods, powerless to alter his fate?
4. A main character in a drama or novel evokes our sympathy and admiration, sometimes despite a series of poor choices that seem obviously and transparently injudicious. Describe Oedipus's strengths; describe his weaknesses.
Oedipus is very strong as in that he is a good leader. His people love him and respect him. However his weakness is that he married his mother and killed his father.
ReplyDeleteEven though Oedipus has many great qualities as a king, and is very powerful and looks over his people well, he is too proud and that is his overall downfall.
ReplyDeleteI completely believe that Oedipus was a victim of fate. At many points in time, there was a chance for his fate to turn but it didn't! For example, his adopted parents could have explained to him that he was not their born son. Also the shepard did not leave him to die. Oedipus tried to run from his prohecy but instead he ran towards it.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with you Kyla. Oedipus's weakness was his ignorance. If his apdopted parents would have just said something, he wouldn't have ran away and killed Liaoos. Another weakness was his temper. If he would not have lost his temper he would not have killed Liaoos. He should really just go to anger management.
ReplyDeleteThere were several reoccuring images. One in particular comes to mind because it was repeated so many times in the end... Oedipus, incase you did not know, married and had children with his mother!!! *GASP*! Shocker. I know.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with everybody. Not because you guys are wrong, I'm just more right haha... his major flaw was his pride, but he had many secondary flaws as well.
ReplyDeleteLaioos. Sorry, Tanner politely pointed out that I spelt Laioos incorrectly.
ReplyDeleteDea I agree with your idea of fate. He was running to his fate. If his parents told him that if he stayed Corinth he would have possibly avoided his fate and not killed his father and married his mother
ReplyDeleteyou guys are both wrong. From the eyes of the son of an attorney, his weakness is that he's a murdere. Plain. And. Simple.
ReplyDeleteMaybe ignorance wasn't such a bad thing? Obviously, marrying your mother is a bad thing. But since neither Oedipus or Jocasta were told, they were happy. Maybe ignorance really is bliss...
ReplyDeleteKyla, I don't think his weakness was sowing the womb from which he came. I think that was his unluck coming out. Also, can you imagine how disgusted Oedipus was after he found out? That is revolting. Like finding out the lvoe of your life was your dad. And you were totally sexy with him and had his kids. I just grossed myself out.
ReplyDeleteOedipus' reacurring visions of blindness were almost like visions of the future. His subconscience was showing him his future. Chase! I totally agree with your ignorance comment!
ReplyDeleteOedipus could have easily changed his fate. Its called FREE WILL and controlling your choices/temper. He should have at least talked to a guidance counsellor if he did not feel comfortable enough to talk to his parents about this. Seriously. He acted immaturely and did not talk about his problems, he kept them to himself and then lashed out against poor Laioos.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with the comment ignorance is bliss. Because if I were with my dad I just would rather not wanting to know. Because you would totally think of it every day. But, on the other hand, he didn't grow up with Jocasta. Like it would be weirder if he was raised by her.
ReplyDeleteMaybe another weakness of his is making bad decisions. His bad decisions lead to is banishment, killing his father, and having incestual children/siblings. Ugh (shudder)
ReplyDeleteHis weakness was not his pride because his pride did not cause him to kill his father. His weakness was his temper, otherwise he could have hopefully avoided his fate. But I think the gods were totally working to make the prophecy come true no matter what. Maybe if he kept his temper he would have been around the king another time and killed him then. You see what I am saying?
ReplyDeleteEmily, where do you find a guidance counselor in ancient greece? Something tells me that Mr. Madison wouldn't have fared very well back in those days. He would've been a heck of a story teller though.
ReplyDeleteIgnorance may be bliss especially when it comes to finding out your lover is your mother. However, if he would have been educated into knowing that he was adopted he would have never fallen in love with his mother. He would have never killed Laioos and the prophecy would have never come true. Ignorance is bliss only under some conditions.
ReplyDeleteLOL Mr. Madison would be like how do you feel about marrying the woman who carried you for nine months?
ReplyDeleteAnd Dea, I disagree. But I like your "You see what I am saying?" comment. You've never seemed more Italian until that.
ReplyDeleteChase? Why you hatin on me? I'm sure they had someone they could talk to if they had suicidal thoughts or felt they needed someone to talk to. That's what slaves were for. They couldn't say anything against them.
ReplyDeleteEmily- Oedipus also tried to change his fate. However it just turned out that he ran the wrong way. Also if you were to think in Greece they believed in fate more than free will.
ReplyDeleteOh, I can top that. Leave the gun- take the canoli.
ReplyDeleteI personally believe Dea is always very Italian, she talks a lot and uses her hands to talk. Like in Calculus. What is a limit?
ReplyDeleteKyla - If Oedipus would have been told he was adopted he probably would not have left. Problem solved.
ReplyDeleteKyla, I completely agree. We have to remember the time period and who wrote this play- a Greecian. We believe in free will because we are American and believe in creating our own destiny.
ReplyDeleteGee wiz Dea, it's too bad you can't talk with your hands over the internet.
ReplyDeleteI know Chase. I would be an Italian sterotype machine.
ReplyDeleteNice pun Dea: stereoTYPE-machine. ha
ReplyDeleteHaha... Nice Tanner, I'm pretty sure you'd be the only one to catch that. =] (30 comments!!)
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