Oedipus Rex Part 2

Finish reading the last 12 pages of Oedipus. Answer questions 1, 3, 5-9,
and 11-12 on pgs. 1434 of your textbook. Post the answers AND a theme
statement on your blog.

We will discuss the play and the questions tomorrow in class. Be prepared
to write first thing, though...


1. How explicitly does the prophet Tiresias reveal the guilt of Oedipus? Does it seem to you stupidity on the part of Oedipus or a defect in Sophocles' play that the kin takes so long to recognize his guilt and to admit to it?
Tiresias explicitly stated the guild of Oedipus; that he is, indeed, the murderer. It is stupidity on the part of Oedipus because he behaves just as any arrogant fool might have. The accusation seems so outlandish and it causes a cognitive dissonance within himself. He takes so long to recognize his guilt and to admit it because he needs tangible evidence and time to process it.

3. "Oedipus is punished not for any fault in himself, but for his ignorance. Not knowing his family history, unable to recognize his parents on sight, he is blameless; and in slaying his father and marring his mother, he behaves as any sensible person might behave in the same circumstances." Do you agree with this interpretation?
A sensible person, in my opinion, is very subjective. Then again, it clearly stated "might behave." Otherwise, I do agree with the quote. His hubris could have easily lead him to victory if it weren't for the tragic irony and he could have lived life without knowing the consequences of having an inflated ego. 

5. Consider the character of Jocasta. Is she a "flat" character - a generalized queen figure - or an individual with distinctive traits of personality? Point to speeches or details in the play to back up your opinion.
She is generally a flat character. not necessarily a generalized queen figure, but more of a wife/mother figure obviously. She nurtures Oedipus, ironically. That is her personality traits and afterwards, that's probably all that's worth mentioning.  

6. What is dramatic irony? Besides the example given on page 732, what other instances of dramatic irony do you find in Oedipus the King? What do they contribute to the effectiveness of the play?
Dramatic irony is, for lack of better words, an irony that is apparent  in the story and to the audience but not to the characters. Other instance of dramatic irony is when, I suppose, Oedipus accuses Creon of treason or when we learn about Oedipus' prophecy. Oh! And his name itself, definitely. We know ahead of time and observe how the character makes choices that just makes their circumstances worse.

7. In the drama of Sophocles, violence and bloodshed take place offstage; thus, the suicide of Jocasta is only reported to us. Nor do we witness Oedipus' removal of his eyes; this horror is only given in the report by the second messenger. Of what advantage or disadvantage to the play is this limitation?
It allows us to focus more on the social ramifications which would be undermined if violence was in the forefront. Conversely, violence would give us a greater sense of engrossment.


8. For what reason does Oedipus blind himself? What meaning, if any, do you find in his choice of a surgical instrument?
Oedipus blinds himself because he cannot live to see the physical anymore. It brings him too much pain. His wife/mother is dead and he's afraid his daughters will be shunned due to his incestuous marriage and them being the by-products of it. He can't live with himself to see what gloom the future brings because he doesn't think it'll be all rainbows and butterflies. I can't find any meaning in his choice of using his wife's/mother's golden pins from her dress to stab his eyes for I am ignorant. Gold is valuable. It's belongs to his wife's/mother's. Yep.

9. What are your feelings toward him as the play ends?
I pity him because of his genetic ties which couldn't be helped. His hubris didn't help either, but it's as though he could not escape this fate. His doom wasn't purely caused by his choices. Besides, what type of person would accept ignorance or no for an answer? Curiosity certainly killed the cat.

11. With what attitude toward the gods does the play leave you? Be inflicting a plague on Thebes, by causing barrenness, by cursing both the people and their king, do the gods seem cruel, unjust, or tyrannical? Does the play show any reverence toward them?
Initially, the gods do seem cruel, unjust, and tyrannical. Its as if they're implementing those misfortunes for their personal enjoyment. Y'know, they need to pass the time since they're immortal and what's better that some drama amidst? If humans go jolly through their lives that would be boring and in time, they take that for granted. It is sublime to suffer and be stronger. It's time to test humans' nature and let them know their place in existence. I think there is a reverence towards them. They didn't forcefully enforce their ideals; they manipulated the people, or specifically, Oedipus. All the rest was up to the person's choice. Oedipus chose to learn about his face. If he had just listened to Tiresias and remained ignorant, he would be going through his life in his merry way.

12. Does the play end in total gloom?
I would say yes. Your leader just gouged out his eyes; you find out he has an incestuous relationship with his mother... all these revelations that just leads to worse circumstances. You have a new leader: Creon. Will be he better or worse? Your family and your friends are dependent on a leader and right now, you need their help to save you from your current problems, but they have their own personal problems. Thebes just seem doomed now. It's time to rack up your things and live a frugal life in the woods and be one with nature.