Birth year is unknown, but presumed to be the first few years
after 500 BCE. Wrote Oedipus Rex around 430 BCE. Presumed to have
died around 406 BCE. Lived through almost an entire century,
including both the Persian and Peloponnesian Wars. As Athens rose
to and fell from prominence. Wrote approximately 123 plays during
his career, but only 7 survived the centuries of war, political
tumult, and bureaucratic accident. Born in Colonos, near Athens and
was a citizen of Athens. Significance: Athens was the cultural and
artistic hub of Greece at the time. Frequent winner of Dionysian
drama contests; numbers vary, but considered the elite playwright
and dramaturge of his time
Slide 3
Sophocles the Dramatist Hallmark: Complexity, Complexity,
Complexity Plot: intricate, but easy to follow Characters: rich,
distinct, psychologically and socially realized Setting: standard
for Greek plays, minimal, rarely changing, courtly concerns
Dialogue: triangulated, limited speeches Chorus: reduced role, more
as commentators than elaborators Tragedy: consider personal
interaction with surroundings, especially society Ethical Ends
through downfall truth/lesson/growth considered by audience, not
realized by characters
Slide 4
Greek Drama Dionysian Festivals: Dionysus Culture of
Festival/Competition Function of Plays was to challenge the
audience Chorus: Original Function: Function in Sophocles Drama:
Sets: Deus ex Machina: Gesture: A Play in 5 Parts Part 1: Prologue
Exposition Part 2: Parodos Choruss Interpretation of Prologue Part
3: Episodia Episodes: moments of debate that heighten plays themes
and advance the action Part 4: Stasimon Chorus response to episode
Part 5: Exodus Last part of the play; final words
Slide 5
Greek Tragedy Review: Aristotelian Tragedy Extraordinary
Characters: great men/women Reasoning: If they can fall, anyone can
Downfall: Circumstance or Error, Frailty, Flaw Reversal
Extraordinary Circumstances: happiness to sorrow Recognition
Public, not Private Events Reasoning: downfall must be a lesson to
all who witness it Response: Character: sorrow and pain Audience:
warning and empathy Dramatic Irony (Tragic Irony) Companion Terms
Arete: Excellence of any kind Acrasia Acting against ones best
judgment Hamartia Fatal flaw leading to downfall Peripeteia
Reversal of fortunes Anagnorisis Moment of discovery/recognition
Catastrophe Denoument, moment of disaster Catharsis Releasing of
strong emotion to provide relief Hubris Extreme arrogance to point
of downfall
Slide 6
The Oedipus Cycle Sophocles most famous work are part of a
trilogy (now believed to be a tetralogy with one missing work). The
trilogy is often referred to as the Oedipus Cycle, the Theban
Plays, or simply Oedipus. Part 1: Oedipus the King Part 2: Oedipus
at Colonus Part 3: Antigone
Slide 7
Oedipus the King : The Legend Background: An oracle prophesizes
to Laius and Jocasta, the king and queen of Thebes, that their son
will kill his father and marry his mother. Plan infanticide to
avoid this fate: pierce and bind his feet and give the
disposal/murder duty to a servant After an ethical crisis, the
servant leaves the baby on a mountain rather than kill it by hand;
a shepherd saves the baby and gives him to the childless King of
Corinth Oedipus, meaning swollen foot, is raised as the Prince of
Corinth Adult Oedipus hears another prophecy that he will kill his
father and marry his mother, so he decides to leave Corinth to
avoid his fate On the road, he has a traffic accident and kills the
other man, who turns out to be Laius. Later, he heroically solves
the Riddle of the Sphinx, which lifts a curse from Thebes. Riddle
of the Sphinx: What walks on four legs in the morning, two in the
afternoon, and three in the evening? Answer: Man (crawling as a
baby, walking as an adult, using a cane when elderly) He is
rewarded with the crown and marriage to the widowed queen, who is
his mother. Gross. Beginning of Oedipus the King: Thebes is several
years into Oedipus and Jocastas prosperous reign, but a new plague
has arrived. This new crisis will set up Oedipus on a journey for
truth, justice, and renewed prosperity.
Slide 8
Oedipus the King : Major Themes Primary Concern of Sophocles:
Fate v. Free Will (Human Behavior/Response) Fate: divine plan or
prescribed order of things, external circumstance Human
Behavior/Response: cannot overcome fate or divine will of gods, but
shapes the surrounding world Tragedy conveys ethical ends through
destruction/downfalls Learning from mistakes is for the audience,
not the characters Other Major Themes: Power and Politics Religion
and Fidelity Family Dynamics Social Anxiety Response to Crisis Free
Will Action and Consequence Leadership
Slide 9
Oedipus the King : Dramatis Personae Oedipus: king of Thebes A
Priest of Zeus Creon, brother of Jocasta, brother-in-law to Oedipus
Chorus of Theban citizens Leader Tiresias, blind prophet/oracle
Jocasta, queen of Thebes, wife of Oedipus Laius, first king of
Thebes, first husband of Jocasta Messenger 1 from Corinth Shepherd
Messenger 2 from palace of Thebes Antigone and Ismene, princesses
of Thebes, daughters of Oedipus and Jocasta Guards/Attendants
Priests of Thebes
Slide 10
Prologue (p.639-45, ln 1-168) Oedipus Opening Speech: (ln 1-15)
Who is Oedipus? Overtones: What does he explicitly say about
himself? Subtext: What does he imply about himself? What do his
words/gesture reveal about who he really is? What do his
words/gestures about who he wants his audience to see him as? The
Priests Speech: (ln 16-68) Setting and Context: What is happening
in Thebes? To whom do the people turn? Character Development: What
does the priest reveal about Oedipus the King and/or Oedipus the
Man? Relation to Ethical Ends: What does the priest ask of Oedipus?
How does he encourage the King to action? Oedipus Response: (ln
69-89) Rising to the Challenge: What is Oedipus response? How does
he respond? What is the deeper implication of his response?
Slide 11
Prologue (p.639-45, ln 1-168) Creons Arrival: (ln 90-106) How
does Oedipus react to his arrival? Why does Creon hesitate to
deliver the news? How does Oedipus respond to his hesitation?
Implications: The Prophecy: Introduction of Conflict (Agon) (ln
107-164) How does Creon deliver the news? Implications: What is the
problem that plagues Thebes? What is the solution to the problem?
Implications: How does Oedipus initially respond to Creons story?
What is his resolution at the end of the whole story? Implications:
The Priests Conclusion: (ln 165-168) How does the priest contradict
himself?
Slide 12
Parodos (p.645-47, line 169-244) Function of Parodos: How does
it work in this section? Major Themes: Tones: Moods: Ethical
Ends:
Episode 1 (ln 245-526) Exchange with the Leader: (ln 315-337)
Leaders First Remarks: (ln 315-18) What is the tone/mood implied by
the Leaders first sentence? What does this tell us about the
tone/mood of Oedipus speech and his leadership style? Oedipus
Response: (ln 318-20) On what point does Oedipus agree with the
Leader? What does this indicate about Oedipus? How does this add to
the tragedy of his inevitable downfall? Leaders Proposal and
Oedipus Response: (ln 323-337) What does the Leader say about fear,
and how does Oedipus correct him? Why are they both correct in this
instance? Arrival of Tiresias: (ln 338-362) Oedipus First Remarks:
(340-358) What does Oedipus unconsciously imply about himself when
he says Tiresias can sense the suffering of his city, even through
his blindness? What does Oedipus ask of Tiresias? Why is this
problematic? Tiresias Rejection: (ln 359-396) Based on what he
says, why does Tiresias decide to remain silent? Knowing what we
know, why does Tiresias refuse to tell his truth to Oedipus? How
does Oedipus respond to Tiresias silence? Why is he offended by
Tiresias refusal? Why is this response and offense ironic?
Slide 15
Episode 1 (ln 245-526) The Prophecy of Tiresias: (ln 398-432)
What does Tiresias prophesize? How does he communicate this fate to
Oedipus? How does Oedipus react? How does the tone of his reaction
relate to the tone of Tiresias statements? How do their respective
tones relate to the tragic elements of the play? Oedipus
Post-Prophecy Speech: (ln 433-459) Who does Oedipus blame for
Tiresias prophecy? Why is his conclusion troubling? What does this
tell us about Oedipus the king? What are the tones and emotions of
his speech? What does this tell us about Oedipus the man? Tiresias
Responding Speech: (ln 464-489) What lessons or ideas does Tiresias
attempt to teach Oedipus? What are some major ethical ends
Sophocles presents to his audience through Tiresias? What is the
intended effect of Tiresias acting as the speaker of these lessons?
Or, why does Sophocles have Tiresias deliver these ethical ends?
The Tension!: (ln 490-505) Why is Oedipus insulted by Tiresias
comments? Why does Tiresias make them? What is the problem(s)
created by their exchange? Tiresias Closing Remarks (ln 506-526)
What are Tiresias final words? What is the tone of this delivery?
Who is his intended audience? Why is this shift in audience
significant (for the characters and the palys audience)?
Slide 16
Stasimon 1 (ln 527-573) What does the Chorus initially hope for
from Oedipus? What does the Chorus then indicate about Oedipus
quest? How does this shift introduce, relate to, expand upon the
plays major themes and ethical ends? What does the Chorus say about
Tiresias and his prophecy? How do these comments introduce, relate
to, expand upon the plays major themes and ethical ends? How does
the Chorus conclude its song? What final truths or conclusions does
the Chorus enforce in the final stanza? How do these comments
introduce, relate to, expand upon the plays major themes and
ethical ends?
Slide 17
Episode 2 (ln 573-953) Creons First Speech: (ln 573-92) Why is
he concerned? How does his response (or lack thereof) pose some
problems? How does the leader respond? What is implied in his
statement to not judge the ones in power? Oedipus Condemnation: (ln
593-690) Why does Oedipus suspect/accuse Creon? How is he justified
and unjustified? What does this instance tell us about Oedipus? How
does Creon react? How does he respond to/counter Oedipus
accusations in tone and content? According to Creon, why would it
be irrational for him to betray Oedipus for the motive of power or
the crown? How does he potentially indict himself while also
explain his innocence? What larger ethical end/advice does Creon
give to Oedipus (and the audience)?
Slide 18
Episode 2 (ln 573-953) The King Hath Spoken!: (693-750) How
does Oedipus respond to Creons argument(s)? What does this response
indicate about Oedipus? Why is he so insistent on his decision?
What is Jocastas role in the Creon-Oedipus debate? Significance:
What is the Chorus role in the Creon-Oedipus debate? Significance:
What punishment does Oedipus decide? Why? Significance? What drives
him to this lighter penalty? The Chorus supports Oedipus over
Creon. Why? King and Queen, Husband and Wife, Son and Mother: (ln
767-846) Why does Oedipus cut off his first response to Jocasta?
What piece of information does Jocasta give to Oedipus that
unknowingly indicates his guilt? How does Oedipus react to the key
revelation? Who does the story and the truth now depend on?
Significance?
Slide 19
Episode 2 (ln 573-953) Oedipus Resolution: (ln 847-923) Origin
Story: Question of his birth: Who raised it? How did Oedipus react?
What did his parents say in response to his follow up? Leaving
Corinth: According to Oedipus, why did he leave? How does this
begin to explain his reactions to Tiresias and Creon? How does this
match with the origin story Sophocles audience already knew? When
does Oedipus resolve to leave Corinth for good? What does this tell
us about Oedipus the man? The Confession: How does Oedipus confess
to the crime? How the nature of his confession consistent with the
man weve come to know in the play? What realizations and
conclusions does he draw about himself in the confession? How does
Oedipus plan to solve the problem? Significance? Jocastas Reaction:
(ln 931-953) What is Jocastas reaction to Oedipus confession,
speech, and request for the witness? Why does Jocasta not believe
the prophecy even after the confession? What does this reaction
indicate about her and her role in the whole affair?
Slide 20
Episode 3 (and 4) Quiz 1. At the start of the episode, the news
of Polybuss death is shared with the Theban royalty. What does the
Corinthian messenger want from Oedipus? 2. After receiving this
news, who is Oedipus afraid of? 3. Who tries to talk Oedipus out of
investigating the stories of the two shepherds? 4. How does Oedipus
coerce a confession from the Theban shepherd? 5. According to him,
why did the Theban shepherd give the baby to the Corinthian? Bonus:
Oedipus admits guilt for the death of his adopted father in a
sense. How does he think he is guilty?
Slide 21
Episode 3 and Episode 4 Episode 3 (ln 998-1214) Episode 4 (ln
1215-1351) Fear Democracy Truth Love Obligation: Personal Social
Identity: Merit or Birth, Nature or Nurture Knowledge Democracy
Source of Truth Labor Gaining Knowledge: Means affect the ends?
Class/Status Empathy
Slide 22
Exodus Quiz 1. How does Jocasta punish herself? 2. How does
Oedipus punish himself? 3. Who becomes the new ruler of Thebes? How
is this person received by the people? 4. Before he leaves, who
does Oedipus request to meet with? 5. Instead of banishment, what
does the new ruler of Thebes initially try to do to help Oedipus?
Bonus: With what tools does Oedipus punish himself?
Slide 23
Exodus (ln 1352-1685) Messengers Arrival (ln 1352-1363) What is
the function of having the Messenger and the Leader share the first
exchange of Exodus? What does the Messenger say about Thebes and
the source of its pains? How does this fit with the plays
overarching ethical ends? A Message Most Foul (ln 1364-1422)
Jocasta: Emotions: Action(s): Significance: Oedipus: Emotions:
Action(s): Significance: Concluding Remarks: (ln 1416-22) Ethical
End(s): Why does the Messenger share this news of Oedipus and
Jocasta?
Slide 24
Exodus (ln 1352-1685) A New Oedipus (ln 1430-1481) Why do the
Messenger and the Chorus first comment on Oedipus appearance and
behavior? What is the effect of their narration? How does Oedipus
describe himself in his first lines of the scene? What is the
significance of his new identity? According to Oedipus, who is
responsible for his current fate? According to Oedipus, why is he
blind? A Shift in Focus (ln 1481-1550) According to Oedipus, who is
to blame for his current fate? How does Oedipus respond to the
Chorus comments about blindness and death? What does his response
reveal about his character? What does Oedipus want from the gods
and people of Thebes? What is promising and/or problematic about
his comments?
Slide 25
Exodus (ln 1352-1685) Oedipus and Creon (ln 1551-1662) How does
Creon first receive Oedipus? Why is this reaction both positive and
negative? What does Creon ask of Oedipus, and how does Oedipus
react? How is this reaction both positive and negative? Who does
Oedipus request to see? How does Creon respond? What does this
indicate about each character? What is Oedipus advice for Creon?
What is his advice to his children? The Final Exchange (ln
1663-1678) Why does Creon agree to send Oedipus into exile? How
does Oedipus respond when his desire is granted? What is Creons
final comments to Oedipus? Denoument (ln 1679-1685) What is the
purpose of the Chorus concluding remarks?