Abstract This paper examines the protagonist/antagonist, major themes, conflict and the protagonist's role in the plot of "OedipusRex" by Sophocles. It also looks at the primary theme of fate and the theme of self-knowledge.
From the Paper "The protagonist in the play Oedipus Rex, is the title character Oedipus. Oedipus lives most of his life as a just man who seeks to avoid fulfilling the prophecy that he will kill his father and marry his mother. Indeed when he learns ..."
Abstract This paper illustrates the role of social, family and individual influence in the three plays by focusing on how influence changed the lives of the protagonists of Aristophanes? "Lysistrata", Sophocles? "OedipusRex" and Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun". The paper examines how the influence on an individual or society may have radical effects. The paper comments separately on each play and then describes the common theme and ideas throughout the three plays. The writer looks at the influence of society on the individual and the influence of the individual on society.
From the Paper "Every individual is at some point of his life influenced either by someone or by society. This influence totally changes him for the better or for the worse. The impact totally transforms the individual to such an extent that he is a completely different person. The inspiration is so great and effective that there is a revolutionary change in the individual and he becomes a new individual altogether. However, the change could be for the better or for the worse. The influence could be negative in which case the person will be completely destroyed emotionally or physically and the impact could be so devastating that this destruction could even be self inflicted. On the other hand, a positive influence could make a better individual in character or in strength and enable him to achieve the impossible."
Tags: individual, society, revolutionary, change, impact, aristophranes, lysistrata, sophocles, oedipus, rex, hansberrys, a, raisin, in, the, sun
Abstract This paper examines Sophocles' tragedy with an eye towards reviewing what the play says about human nature, particularly as it pertains to secret guilt and psychological imperatives. It explains that Sophocles' OedipusRex is such an object of enduring interest to this writer because it focuses attention upon the destructive power of truth and calls into question the premise that truth is always better than falsehood.
From the Paper "Oedipus Rex has emerged as one of the most remarkable and enduring literary works in the Western canon. The tale of patricide, deception and incest has captivated audiences and spawned investigations into the human psyche (Freud being the most obvious example of the latter). The following paper examines Sophocles' tragedy with an eye towards reviewing what the play says about human nature - particularly as it pertains to secret guilt and psychological imperatives. Quite simply, Sophocles' Oedipus Rex is such an object of enduring interest to this writer because it focuses attention upon the destructive power of truth and calls into question the premise that truth is always better than false-hood. In a related vein, I am intrigued by how our instinctive, human need to uncover our own etiology may actually lead us towards answers we would be better off not knowing. To put it ..."
Abstract This paper outlines why the downfall of Oedipus in Sophocles' play "OedipusRex" is so tragic. It discusses whether or not he was accountable for his own downfall and what Sophocles was trying to say to the people of Athens.
From the Paper "There is an old saying that says pride goes before a fall which means that when someone thinks and behaves in an over confident manner sooner or later something will happen usually brought upon themselves insome way to humiliate them. The more grand the ..."
Abstract This paper analyzes the story of "OedipusRex" by looking at the movie by Pier Paolo Pasolini and the original Greek play by Sophocles. It highlights and explains the reasons for the discrepancies between the movie and the play. The writer discusses irony which is a constant theme that runs throughout both the play and the movie. The writer also looks at the psychoanalytic concept introduced by Freud - the "Oedipus Complex" and its importance in the story. The writer concludes that even though Pasolini adds a epilogue to the end of his version of the story, the audience leaves with the same feeling from both works of art.
From the Paper "In Pasolini's 1967 film adaptation of "Oedipus the King", the filmmaker mostly stays faithful to the main plot of the story. The differences in the movie, "Oedipus Rex" and the play "Oedipus the King" mostly have to do with the way the story is presented visually and a few tweaks with theme. Sophocles used far more dialogue in his version of the story. That was an important aspect of the ancient Grecian plays. In the movie, Pasolini is able to use more modern set designs, scenery, and facial expression to tell the storyIn Pasolini's 1967 film adaptation of "Oedipus the King", the filmmaker mostly stays faithful to the main plot of the story. The differences in the movie, "Oedipus Rex" and the play "Oedipus the King" mostly have to do with the way the story is presented visually and a few tweaks with theme. Sophocles used far more dialogue in his version of the story. That was an important aspect of the ancient Grecian plays. In the movie, Pasolini is able to use more modern set designs, scenery, and facial expression to tell the story."
Abstract This paper tries to find links between the myth of "OedipusRex" and the recent film "Memento." It explores human nature, mythology, philosophy and other films like "Fight Club." Continuing in the tradition of the myth film, the author finds that "Memento" (2001) is one with archetypal themes of a hero played out but modernized to make it applicable to a culture whose awareness of psychology, philosophy, extreme introversion and consciousness are second nature. The author explains how Lenny, the film's main character, does not conform to this particularly important aspect of being a mythological hero, but rather is the true modern myth hero who.
From the Paper "In modern society the transmission of myths is no longer through words on a page but light on a screen, a somewhat removed and technically advanced form of storytelling. Failure to acknowledge the value of films as myths is a great injustice. Continuing in the tradition of the myth film, Memento (2001) is one where the archetypical themes of a hero (i.e. His separation from society, his maintaining of companions who will betray him and his eventual freedom to live in his two worlds with a skewed sense of mastery) are played out but modernized to make it applicable to a culture whose awareness of psychology, philosophy, extreme introversion and consciousness are second nature. Strangely humans always seem to be incongruous when dealing with their nature and this film brings together ties from antiquity to French enlightenment to modernity, from ideals of fate to reality, but all giving a glimpse into human nature."
Tags: club, descartes, fight, memento, mythology, oedipus, philosophy, Oedipus, Rex
Abstract The paper provides answers to five questions about the play "OedipusRex," by Sophocles. The paper discusses the issues of hubris, fate, free will and also touches upon Freud's "On the Interpretation of Dreams."
From the Paper "Hubris is defined in The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language as over bearing pride or presumption arrogance. This term aptly applies to the character of Oedipus in the play "Oedipus Rex" because Oedipus is so full of pride that he is blind to the reality of his true identity and what he has done. Oedipus boldly declares that he will find his father's murderer, completely unaware that he himself murdered his father."
Abstract The paper briefly summarizes the play "OedipusRex" and focuses on how it is seen as a play about human beings' inability to escape a prophecy, or destiny. The paper also shows how Oedipus himself is the enigma which he solves when he pursues the truth, even when he is pretty certain that it will be horrific. The paper asserts that while "OedipusRex" has been described as a play about the 'terror of coincidence', if it was simply a play about coincidence, it would not have gained the fame it enjoys. The paper believes that it is the complex motives which drive Oedipus to seek out the truth and the fact that he is a genuine Greek hero that has made Sophocles's play last for thousands of years.
Outline:
Introduction
Destiny in OedipusRex Enigma in OedipusRex Conclusion
From the Paper "To sum up the play briefly; a king who has reigned in Thebes for many years seeks his predecessor's murderers as the answer to a Delphic pronouncement; the anger of the Gods has left his people dying in handfuls. Gradually, he comes to realize that he has slain this former King (whose widow he has married), and also reveals that he left his home country in order to escape a terrible prophecy that he would kill his father and marry his mother. It is then, very slowly and painfully, revealed to King Oedipus that the man whom he killed at the crossroads (King Laius), was his true father, and Jocasta, now Oedipus's wife, is also his mother."
Abstract This paper discusses the Greek tragedy, written by Sophocles, "OedipusRex." The paper questions whether Oedipus is the puppet of fate or the creator of his own fate or if he can be a combination of the two. The paper then contrasts the characters, Oedipus with Teiresias. It discusses how Oedipus at the beginning of the play contrasts with the Oedipus at the end. It also looks at the theme of seeing and blindness.
Table of Contents:
The Puppet of Fate or the Creator of His Own Fate
Oedipus Contrasted with Teiresias. Seeing and Blindness in the Play.
From the Paper "Oedipus chooses to flee his fate by leaving his parental home. This is an act of free will. However, it is dramatically ironic that by this very attempt to flee, he fulfills the prophesy. Therefore, while he chooses freely to leave his home, he does so without knowing that the people who raised him are not in fact his parents. They however have chosen not to tell him the story of his abandonment and survival as an infant. If they had, they might have averted the disaster. What his adoptive parents choose to do is beyond Oedipus' control, and can therefore be viewed as fate from his point of view - there was nothing that he could do that would change this. Furthermore, it appears that Oedipus' very free will moves him closer to the fate dictated by the prophesy."
Abstract This paper takes a look at the play 'OedipusRex' by Sophocles. According to the paper, 'OedipusRex' is based on a famous Greek myth about the king of Thebes, Oedipus, who fulfilled a prophecy that he would marry his mother and kill his father, despite a lifetime of trying to avoid it. This paper reviews the idea of faith and fate, both which are prevalent throughout this play.
From the Paper "Jocasta, Oedipus' biological mother, and Laius, his biological father, both had faith in the gods' prophecy that their son was going to destroy them both, and therefore they took action to remove that possibility by attempting to kill him. However, this act of faith cannot be undone later, when it turns out that Oedipus actually survived, and despite their belief that they were safe from the prophecy's predicted doom. After Oedipus has been revealed by Tiresias to be the killer, he goes to Jocasta and tells her that the blind prophet had accused him. Jocasta attempts to comfort him by telling him that all prophets are false, using her own experience with the oracle that prophesied that her husband would be killed by his own son as an example of this. However, Jocasta does not realize that this part of the prophesy has already come to pass. Although she is denouncing her belief in prophesies, she has already acted out of faith in them, or else she would not have attempted to kill her son in the first place, and when she realized the fault of her choice, she will again have faith in prophesies. Jocasta tells Oedipus, "Fear? What should a man fear? It's all chance, chance rules our lives. Not a man on earth can see a day ahead, groping through the dark. Better to live at random, best we can. And as for this marriage with your mother--have no fear. Many a man before you, in his dreams, has shared his mother's bed. Take such things for shadows, nothing at all-- Live, Oedipus, as if there's no tomorrow!" (Sophocles) The audience knows that her faith that Oedipus would not kill his father and marry his mother will be overcome by a tragic return to faith in the gods."
An analysis of the themes of predetermination, chance and free will in Sophocles' "OedipusRex" and Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius' "The Consolation of Philosophy".
Abstract This paper embarks on a comparative study between the works of two giants in their fields: Sophocles, one of the three ancient great tragedians in Greece and Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius, a Christian philosopher of the 6th Century in Rome. The purpose of the study of the two works, i.e., "OedipusRex" and "The Consolation of Philosophy", is to determine the differences, if any, in the reconciliation of the concepts of predetermination, chance and free will existing together at the same time in the universe.
Outline
Introduction
OedipusRex The Consolation of Philosophy
Predetermination, Chance and Free Will: Oedipus vs. The Consolation of Philosophy
Conclusion
From the Paper "The narrator of the story (which one can fairly presumed to be Boethius), was contemplating the hopelessness and anguish of his isolation. He was writing his desperate musings, hoping death will come to end his despair. He was despairing with the Muses of Poetry when suddenly appeared Philosophy, his old friend. Philosophy drives away the Muses of poetry and asks Boethius what is ailing him. To Philosophy, Boethius poured out his grief and anguish over his fate, the unjust accusations against him and his utter ruin. Philosophy condoles with Boethius and sets out to calm and sooth his spirit. But first she wanted to know why he has changed so much so she asked him several questions. She finds that Boethius has forgotten his own nature; that Boethius does not know the destiny or direction of the universe, and; third, that he was ignorant of how the world is being governed. "
Abstract The paper analyzes Max Ernst's artwork "OedipusRex" through the Freudian Oedipus complex and through the play "OedipusRex" by Sophocles. The paper considers how the surrealistic style of Ernst is used to depict the symbolic sexual tension between father, mother and son, especially in the case of the walnut and the arrow that penetrates it. The paper explains that this type of Freudian approach to painting is part of Ernst's desire to reflect his own inner conflicts.
From the Paper "The painting Oedipus Rex (1922) by Max Ernst was a direct result of his fascination with birds and the idea of a deeper unconscious mind working beneath the veil of surface thoughts. Ernst believed fervently in the premise of the bird as a symbol of how mankind sought to be free through flight, which acts in accordance with the Freudian concept of condensation. The link between the play by Sophocles and the painting only invigorate this idea, since the premise of the son in Freud's theory is to free himself from fatherly constraints to bond with his mother in intercourse. The nut being portrayed in the painting is clearly a female symbol of the vulva with the male fingers vying to enter it."
Abstract This paper summarizes the plot of "OedipusRex" and analyzes the theme of the tragedy, explaining that the tragic story of OedipusRex was meant to serve as a lesson to others. That lesson, the paper explains, was that the punishment visited on the ruler was a sort of proof that the gods did not give special favor to the noble people and that the rules applied to everyone.
From the Paper "In Greek tragedy, the hero is punished for some sin, made to pay the price even though in many cases what he will do has been foreordained. Aristotle surveyed the drama of his time and developed certain concepts regarding the nature of the tragic hero. The tragic hero must be an important person with a character flaw that causes him to make a great mistake leading to tremendous suffering and a fall from his high status. The tragedy derives from the fact that none of what occurs is the tragic hero's fault, for the tragic flaw predetermines his actions and seals his fate. Modern audiences may consider this inexplicable, for while viewers understand when someone is punished for a crime they commit intentionally, it is less clear how fault should be ascribed when the crime is not intentional."
Abstract In this article, the writer looks at 'OedipusRex' by Sophocles that was written at least 2000 years ago and examines why the play continues as one of the most important and renowned tragedies ever. The writer discusses that some say it is the unique style, or its historical richness, or perhaps the theme that helps to better understand the foibles of humankind. The writer also suggests that maybe, the play maintains its successful run because it has just as powerful a message for humankind as it did two millennium ago. The writer concludes that all are left with the anxiety that their lives may be just as changeable and unpredictable. The writer maintains that this knowledge and understanding, in fact, is what makes OedipusRex today as important and renowned in the present as it was over 2,000 years ago.
From the Paper "The truth is that anyone, anywhere is subject to the will of the gods. Now having the same strengths and weaknesses as anyone in the theater from the least plebeian to most privileged, Oedipus evokes a range of emotions from disgust to pity to terror. All are left with the anxiety that their lives may be just as changeable and unpredictable. For that is what happens to all who are mortal.
That knowledge and understanding, in fact, is what makes Oedipus Rex today as important and renowned in the present as it was over 2,000 years ago. How many humans, today, are just as torn--wondering how much of their lives are dictated by God, fate or some other force they cannot control, and how much they can decide for themselves through their own free will?"
Abstract 'OedipusRex', a part of the Theban plays by Sophocles, is among the best-known works from Ancient Greece in today's literary and non-academic worlds. The paper discusses how some argue that only interpretations of 'OedipusRex' that use historical contexts as a basis are correct theories, while others argue that a more universalist approach incorporating themes from all time periods in which the work has been read and performed is of equal or greater value. The paper examines the interpretations of Jennifer Lewin, Janet M. Green and Martin Kallich. The paper shows how all of these literary critiques illustrate the way in which universalistic versus historical interpretations of this play are present throughout our modern understanding of the work.
From the Paper "Jennifer Lewin's "Overview of Oedipus Rex" identifies Oedipus Rex as, arguably, the most important tragedy in all of classical literature. Aristotle used this play, after all, to define the qualities of a successful tragedy, and it has been referred to over and over again by writers that have used it to illustrate historical literature and events, as well as using it to provide inspiration for modern literary criticism. "Freud, for example, helped to shape the direction of twentieth century thought with his 1900 The Interpretation of Dreams, his coinage of the term 'Oedipal Complex' was an integral part of his definition of dreams and imaginative literature as representations of wishes that usually remain hidden during normal social interaction." (Lewin)"
