The Characters Of Oedipus Rex By Sophocles - 973 Words

Maya Fleischer Ms. Hampson World Lit II CPA 11/7/17 Oedipus Essay Whether positive or negative, individuals have various characteristics that define them. Many people struggle to find a balance between confidence and arrogance. Oedipus, King Laius, and Queen Jocasta fall into this category, as they all possess this character flaw. Throughout Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, these characters make decisions based on what is best for themselves. Sometimes putting yourself before others is necessary for a healthy mindset and can be a suitable choice. However, Oedipus, Laius, and Jocasta make mistakes that they will later come to regret. Though these characters are determined and driven, their decisions, so clouded by hubris, cause them to face†¦show more content†¦This was simply a consequence of her hubris, rather than ignorance or naivety. She goes so far as to reassure Oedipus to â€Å"have no more fear of sleeping with your mother† (51). This statement, like many others, highlights her hubris and obliviousness to the irony of the situation. During Oedipus’s journey to escape his unbearable prophecy, his dominant character traits are egotism and pride. Oedipus fled from the city he thought he had been birthed in, Corinth, to avoid killing King Polybus, and marrying Queen Merope, whom he thought were his parents. Oedipus’s desire to change his future not only backfires when he eventually kills his real father, but also leads him to solve the Sphinxs riddle while on this mission. As a result, Oedipus is crowned King of Thebes, and therefore marries his mother. During Oedipus’s reign, he makes many poor decisions, blinded by the overconfidence that came with solving the Sphinx’s riddle. When Oedipus was informed that King Polybus had died, he says in relief, â€Å"They prophesized that I should kill Polybus, kill my own father; but he is dead and buried, and I am here- I never touched him, never† (50). Clearly, Oedipus now shares Jocasta’s belief that the prophecies are not to be considered, for they have outsmarted the gods. Oedipus’s desire to avoid Apollo’s prophecyShow MoreRelatedSophocles Tragedies Oedipus Rex and Antigone: Character Analysis of Teiresias595 Words   |  2 Pages Sophocles tragedies Oedipus Rex and Antigone both present the character of Teiresias as being a strong individual who has supernatural powers and is dedicated to assisting society by using them. Even with this, the fact that his information mostly generates suffering around him makes it difficult for him to put across his thinking and is visibly a reason for pain rather than being a blessing. The character is often chastised as a result of the information that he provides, as individuals practicallyRead MoreOedipus in Sophocles Oedipus Rex and Young Colonel Sartoris Snopes in William Faulkners Barn Burning: A Comparative Analysis of Characters1034 Words   |  4 Pagesï » ¿When attempting to compare the characters and the lots of Oedipus in Oedipus Rex and Young Colonel Sartoris Snopes in William Faulkners Barn Burning, there are a number of immediate and salient points of similarity for one to consider. One of the principle points of similarities between these two is related to th eir personalities both male characters are prone to fits of action which they can only fully understand (if at all) in hindsight. Another is the fact that the quandaries they find themselvesRead MoreTragedy In Oedipus Rex And Antigone By Euripides784 Words   |  4 Pagesknown Greek tragedies; Oedipus Rex and Antigone by Sophocles and Medea by Euripides that not only have the common genre of tragedy, but share the same motifs; homicide, suicide, and suffering. What is intriguing about these commonalities is that these playwrights, Sophocles and Euripides, use them. Homicide is an act when a human permanently harms another leading in death and these plays like to use it quite a bit. In Oedipus Rex, by Sophocles, the main character Oedipus (king of Thebes) realizesRead More The Role of Teiresias in Sophocles Oedipus Rex Essay1410 Words   |  6 PagesSophoclesOedipus Rex (the King) Teiresias uses his psychic abilities to foreshadow the anguish and destruction that Oedipus will encounter after he learns the truths of his life. Teiresias is also responsible for further developing the theme of blindness by using his own physical blindness to reveal to Oedipus his mental blindness. Lastly, Teiresias is ultimately responsible for imposing dramatic irony because of his great knowledge of the truth of Oedipus. In the play, Oedipus Rex, by Sophocles, theRead MoreOedipus Rex as Aristotalian Tragedy1506 Words   |  7 PagesOne may argue that the Greek playwright, Sophocles modeled his play Oedipus Rex on Aristotles definition and analysis of tragedy.Since according to Aristotles definition, A tragedy is an imitation of action that is serious, complete and of a certain magnitude; in language embellished artistic ornaments, the several kinds being found in separate parts of the play; in the form of action, not narrative with incidents that evokes pity and fear of a persons emotions. Also Aristotle identifiedRead More Destiny, Fate, Free Will and Free Choice in Oedipus the King - Power of Prophecy1000 Words   |  4 PagesThe Power of Fate in Oedipus Rex (the King) The underlying theme in Oedipus Rex is that fate is more powerful than free will. On this strong basis of fate, free will doesnt even exist. This was a popular belief among the ancient Greeks.   Fate may be accepted or denied by modern society, but in Oedipuss story, fate proves inevitable. In the play, Oedipus Rex, the characters Oedipus, Iocaste and Laios try to change fate.    In the very beginning of the story, before we hear from theRead MoreThe Three Themes of Oedipus Rex1106 Words   |  4 PagesThemes of Oedipus Rex The contrast between trust in the gods oracles and trust in intelligence and pride plays out in Oedipus Rex. Of course, the irony is, that Oedipuss and the oracles’ methods both lead to the same fallout. Oedipuss hunt for truth reveals just that, and the truth confirms the oracles prophecies. Oedipus kills his father and marries his mother. The irony is that the reader knows this from the very start of this Greek drama. There is also irony in the fact that Oedipus is theRead More Use of Character Flaws and Literary Devices to Teach Morals in Oedipus Rex1290 Words   |  6 PagesUse of Character Flaws and Literary Devices to Teach Morals in Oedipus Rex      Ã‚  Ã‚   The Greek tragedy Oedipus Rex is an excellent example of how an author can use literary techniques and personality traits to teach a certain moral or theme.   In Oedipus Rex, Sophocles communicates his themes and morals to the reader through the character flaws of Oedipus, a tragic hero.   The most prominent character flaw that Oedipus possesses is his excessive arrogance. One way this flaw is displayed isRead MoreOedipus Rex Vs. Antigone1417 Words   |  6 PagesComparative Essay 11-20-01 Oedipus Rex Antigone It is only natural that an author use similar vessels of literature, such as figurative language, literary devices, and elements in his/her work. It is even more apparent between works that are connected by character, time, and theme. Sophocles did this when he wrote Oedipus Rex and Antigone. When comparing the two pieces, it becomes evident that very similar vessels connected these very different plays. Sophocles uses a specific type of figurativeRead MoreOedipus Rex900 Words   |  4 PagesThe philosopher Aristotle wrote his work Poetics as a deconstruction of aesthetics approximately 50 years after the death of Sophocles, the author of Oedipus Rex. Aristotle was a great admirer of the works of Sophocles and is said to have considered Oedipus Rex to be the perfect tragedy and the basis for his thoughts in Poetics. He defines tragedy as, â€Å"an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude; in language embellished with each kind of artistic ornament, the