Oedipus Rex: Tragedy, Plot and Characters

• "Oedipus Rex," also known as "Oedipus Tyrannus" or "Oedipus the King," is a famous tragedy by Sophocles, first performed in 429 BC.
• Sophocles, a great ancient Greek tragedian, wrote the tragedies "Oedipus Rex," "Oedipus at Colonus," and "Antigone," which depict the sufferings of the king and his descendants.
• Aristotle considered "Oedipus Rex" an exemplary Greek tragedy in "The Poetics".
• "Oedipus Rex" is considered the first detective story in Western literature.
• A tragedy is a serious sub-genre of drama in which the main character meets a tragic end due to a tragic flaw or hamartia.
• Oedipus' hamartia is his excessive pride or hubris, which leads to his downfall.
• King Laius consults an oracle who says he will be killed by his own son.
• Laius orders his wife to kill their infant son, but she gives him to a servant.
• The servant leaves the child on a mountain, but a shepherd names him Oedipus ("swollen foot") and gives him to King Polybus and Queen Merope of Corinth.

Oedipus Rex Scene 1

• The play begins outside Oedipus' palace, with Thebes suffering a plague.
• People ask King Oedipus for help because he saved them from the Sphinx, a monster with a woman's head, lion's body, eagle's wings, and serpent's tail.
• The Sphinx killed those who couldn't solve her riddles, but Oedipus solved it, leading to her suicide.
• Oedipus became king and married the former queen, Jocasta, after the previous king was murdered.
• The people believe God Apollo sent the plague, but Oedipus says he sent Creon, his brother-in-law, to consult the oracle at Delphi.
• Creon reports that the oracle says the plague will end if Laius' murderer is found and brought to justice.
• Oedipus promises to find and punish the murderer.

Chorus 1

• The chorus, comprised of Theban elders, prays to the gods, including Apollo, for the city's recovery.

Oedipus Rex Scene 2

• Oedipus forbids anyone to shelter Laius' murderer and invites the murderer to confess, promising banishment, not death.
• The chorus suggests Oedipus call Teiresias, a blind prophet, who claims to know the killer but refuses to speak.
• Oedipus accuses Teiresias of the murder, leading Teiresias to reveal that Oedipus is Laius's killer.
• Oedipus dismisses Teiresias, considering it a plot by Creon, Teiresias leaves, saying the killer is present.

Chorus 2

• The chorus believes Oedipus and questions Teiresias' wisdom.

Oedipus Rex Scene 3

• Creon denies plotting against Oedipus, who accuses him of killing Laius and trying to steal the crown.
• Jocasta and the chorus persuade Oedipus to spare Creon's life.
• Jocasta dismisses prophecies, recounting an oracle that said Laius would be killed by his son, but he was killed by robbers at a crossroads.
• Jocasta's story troubles Oedipus, who remembers killing a stranger at a crossroads, matching Jocasta's description of Laius.
• Jocasta mentions an eyewitness herdsman who swore five robbers killed Laius.
• Oedipus recounts how someone told him he wasn't Polybus' real son, and an oracle foretold he would kill his father and marry his mother, which is why he left Corinth.
• Oedipus hopes the herdsman will confirm Laius was killed by robbers, absolving him of guilt.

Chorus 3

• The elders pray to Zeus and Apollo for help in solving the mystery.

Oedipus Rex Scene 4

• Jocasta goes to a temple to pray for Oedipus' safety.
• A messenger arrives from Corinth with news of Polybus' death and the Corinthian's desire for Oedipus to rule.
• Jocasta is relieved, seeing it as proof the prophecies were wrong, but Oedipus worries about marrying his mother.
• The messenger reveals that Polybus and Merope were not Oedipus' real parents, shocking Oedipus.
• The messenger explains that a servant of Laius gave him the baby, who had pierced ankles, and Oedipus has marks on his ankles.
• Oedipus seeks the servant, but Jocasta begs him to stop his pursuit of truth, becoming horrified by the unfolding revelation.

Chorus 4

• The chorus sings happily, excited about their king's divine parentage.

Oedipus Rex Scene 5

• Oedipus' men arrive with a shepherd, and the chorus urges Oedipus to abandon the investigation.
• The shepherd reveals that he gave Laius' son to another shepherd on Jocasta and Laius' orders to leave the child to die.
• The truth revealed: Oedipus killed his father and married his mother and hates his identity.
• Oedipus finds Jocasta dead, having hanged herself in her room after the truth was revealed.
• Oedipus blinds himself with brooches from Jocasta's dress, lamenting his sins and requesting death.
• Creon consoles Oedipus, who begs to be banished, suggesting meeting Apollo first, but Oedipus refuses.

Chorus 5

• The chorus expresses surprise that the truth was hidden for so long and laments Oedipus' fate.
• The play ends with the Chorus saying, "Count no man happy till he dies, free of pain at last".

Themes in Oedipus Rex

• Fate: The main theme shows its importance throughout the play.
• Individual Will/Action: Actions were key to downfall.
• Pity and Fear: Readers feel fear and pity.
• Plague and Health: Thebes is suffering from a plague.
• Self-Discovery: ruins his own life in the quest for his past.
• Hubris: Oedipus' excessive pride or tragic flaw.
• Power: Power corrupts and Oedipus is an example of it.
• Search for Truth: The search for truth has drastic consequences.
• Guilt and Shame: Jocasta and Oedipus are overwhelmed with guilt.
• Ignorance: Ignorance would have resulted in a better outcome.
• Justice: Justice is important to the people of Thebes.
• Blind Faith: Characters strongly believe in prophecies.

Oedipus Rex Character Analysis

• Oedipus Rex: The hero of the tragedy, born to King Laius and Queen Jocasta of Thebes.
• Jocasta: The Queen of Thebes.
• Creon: Loyal follower of Apollo.
• Teiresias: The blind prophet in the city of Thebes.
• The Chorus: Elders of Thebes.
• Antigone and Ismene: The young daughters of Oedipus and Jocasta.
• The Messenger from Corinth: Arrives from Corinth to give news of King Polybus' death.
• The Herdsman: Witness to the death of King Laius.
• The Priest: Requests Oedipus to save them from the plague.
• The Second Messenger: A servant of Oedipus that delivers the news of Jocasta’s death.

Oedipus Rex Literary Analysis

• "Oedipus Rex" is a classical work with a straightforward interpretation of a Greek myth.
• Through dramatic irony, the play shows how fate plays a part in the characters lives.

The Title of the Play

• The title of the play "Oedipus Rex" or "Oedipus the King" is self-explanatory.

Setting of the Play

• The entire play "Oedipus Rex" is set in the ancient city of Thebes.

Ending of the Play

• The end of the play is considered justified.

Writing Style

• "Oedipus Rex" is a Greek tragedy and is translated into English.

Tone

• The tone of "Oedipus Rex" is tragic.

Plot Analysis

• Initial Situation: Oedipus knows that Thebes is in crisis so he sends Creon to get the solution.
• Conflict: Oedipus is worried when no one tells him the truth about Laius’ murder.
• Complication: Oedipus starts realizing that he has some link with the murder of Laius.
• Climax: Oedipus realizes that he is the man who killed his father and married his mother.
• Suspense: The suspense lies in whether Oedipus will commit suicide himself.
• Denouement: Oedipus blinds himself by gouging his eyes out.
• Conclusion: Oedipus leaves the city of Thebes to save it from the curse of plague.

The three unities in Oedipus Rex

• Unity of Action: The whole play focuses on the single action that is the investigation of king Laius’ murderer.
• Unity of Place: “Oedipus Rex” also follows the unity of action as the whole play occurs at a single place.
• Unity of Time: The unity of time is also present in this play as the fall of the hero occurs in the duration of a single day.

Three Act plot analysis

• Act I: Oedipus promises to give the solution to Thebes’ issue.
• Act II: Oedipus investigates Jocasta, Teiresias, the messenger and the shepherd to know about King Laius’ murderer.
• Act III: Jocasta and Oedipus realize that they have committed a terrible sin so they punish themselves.

Analysis of the Literary Devices used in Oedipus Rex

• Dramatic Irony: Most of the time, the situation is understood by the readers but not by the characters.
• Symbolism: Important symbols used in the play include; The scars on Oedipus’ feet, The Crossroads and Eyes, Vision and Blindness.