Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex

Throughout history, writers and philosophers have expressed their views about how the life of man is ultimately defined in their works. The Greeks have played their part in this quest. One of the great plays of the ancient Greek world that led the way for others was Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex. In this play, Sophocles shows … Read more

Oedipus Rex – Oedipus Is Innocent

F. Scott Fitzgerald is in many ways one of the most important American writers of the twentieth century. In his first novel, This Side of Paradise, Fitzgerald epitomized the mindset of an era with the statement that his generation had, “grown up to find all Gods dead, all wars fought, and all faiths in man … Read more

How is Oedipus a Tragic Hero

In the play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, Oedipus is a classic tragic hero. According to Aristotle’s definition, Oedipus is a tragic hero because he is a king whose life falls apart when he finds out his life story. There are a number of characteristics described by Aristotle that identify a tragic hero. For example, a … Read more

Sophocles play Oedipus Rex

In Sophocles play Oedipus Rex Oedipus Even though “fate” seems to determine Oedipus’ life, . he does infact have a free will. His choices brought the prophecy to life. Only his decisions (not influenced by anybody) he made. Of course those decisions were in side of the limits set by fate. When Oedipus heard a … Read more

Elements of Tragedy in Oedipus Rex

It is not the tragic subject matter of the text that is of primary interest – but rather the manner in which the plot is developed. The story line progresses as if the reader is “unpeeling an onion.” The tale of King Oedipus is well known. An enraged Oedipus unknowingly slays his father (Laiusq, King … Read more

Blindness in Oedipus Rex

In the play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, the minor character of Tiresias is responsible for foreshadowing Oedipus fate, developing the theme of blindness, and also illustrating dramatic irony. Tiresias is responsible for further developing the theme of blindness, by using his own physical blindness to reveal to Oedipus his mental blindness. Lastly, Tiresias is ultimately … Read more

Oedipus Rex by Sophocles

In Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, Oedipus tried to make the world that he lived better by trying to kill people that he thought made the problems in the city. He said that he wanted to find the men who were responsible for the plague in the city. Then he would kill them and get rid … Read more

Oedipus Rex, a tragic victim of fate

Oedipus Rex, a tragic victim of fate, easily meets the criteria of the tragic hero. According to Aristotle, a tragic hero can not be extremely virtuous or evil, they must be on the middle ground. This is true of Oedipus, in the eye of the public, he is a concerned, caring individual, but he is … Read more

Irony within Oedipus Rex

Sophocles, the playwright of Oedipus Rex, often wrote scripts for events in mythology, which were common knowledge to the populace who viewed his productions. Set in the time of the Golden Period of Greece, Sophocles, knowing that his audience is aware of the outcome of the play, utilizes that foreknowledge to create various situations in … Read more

Sophocles, One Of The Greatest Tragedians Ever

Sophocles is perhaps one of the greatest tragedians ever. Sophocles said that a man should never consider himself fortunate unless he can look back on his life and remember that life without pain. For Oedipus Rex, looking back is impossible to do without pain. This pain stems from his prideful life. Oedipus is aware that … Read more

Unique Analysis of Oedipus Rex

Oedipus Rex”, by Socrates, is a play that shows the fault of men and the ultimate power of the gods. Throughout the play, the main character, Oedipus, continually failed to recognize the fault in human condition, and these failures let to his ultimate demise. Oedipus failed to realize that he, himself was the true answer … Read more

The play “Oedipus Rex”

The play “Oedipus Rex” is a very full and lively one to say the least. Everything a reader could ask for is included in this play. There is excitement, suspense, happiness, sorrow, and much more. Truth is the main theme of the play. Oedipus cannot accept the truth as it comes to him or even … Read more

Oedipus Rex, Hamlet, & Willy Loman Comparison

An immense desire for personal satisfaction, and extraordinary reputation can often result in a sickly, perverse distortion of reality. In Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex, a man well known for his intellect and wisdom, finds himself blind to the truth of his life, and his parentage. William Shakespeare’s Hamlet also contains a character that is in search … Read more

Oedipus Rex – Religious Skepticism

The ancient Greeks have often depended upon the advice of the soothsayers and oracles, which they considered as reliable sources of information, during difficult times in their lives. In the play Oedipus Rex, by Sophocles, Oedipus and Iocaste sought help from these sources in their times of need. It was their arrogance and fear that … Read more

Oedipus Rex, a tragic hero

Oedipus Rex proves to be a tragic hero by displaying the qualities of goodness, appropriateness, and remaining consistent and realistic throughout the entire play. In the prologue of Oedipus Rex, Oedipus illustrates that he is morally good during his speech to the Priest and the suffering people of Thebes. “I know you are deathly sick; … Read more

Oedipus Rex – The Oracle

Oedipus was a victime of fate, his futur was foretold by an Oracle, he had no way of knowing that his wife was his mother nor that the stranger he killed was his father. Oedipus could not prevent his own downfall. Oedipus was the king of Thebes, he became king when he cured the city … Read more

Free Will in Sophocles Oedipus Rex

Sophocles said that a man should never consider himself fortunate unless he can look back on his life and remember that life without pain. For Oedipus Rex, looking back is impossible to do without pain, a pain that stems from his prideful life. Oedipus is aware that he alone is responsible for his actions. He … Read more

Tragic Fall Of Oedipus Rex: Self-Inflicted or Fate

The tragic fall of Oedipus in Sophocles play “Oedipus Rex” is both self-inflicted and result of events drawn from his own destiny. First off early on in Oedipus’ life his first deadly mistake towards succeeding his self-inflicted downfall was the murder of his father the former king. In a blind rage without any motive, he … Read more

Fate In Oedipus Rex

Through Sophocles use of foreshadowing in the play Oedipus Rex, certain truths are revealed to the reader, such as the fact that a lack of respect for fate can eventually bring on a persons downfall, by driving them to delusion. Oedipus is looked up to by all his kingdom at the opening of the play, … Read more

Oedipus Rex a Greek tragedy

Oedipus Rex a Greek tragedy written by Sophocles in the early days of antiquity is based upon an even more ancient story in Greek mythology. Sophocles, however, knowing that his audience is aware of the outcome of the play utilizes that foreknowledge to create various situations in which dramatic and verbal irony play key roles. … Read more

Oedipus and Antigone: Is Fate Determined

This question has caused fierce debate and has plagued both the science and literary worlds. Fate and Prophecy have both appeared in literature, most notably in Ancient Greek and Roman plays. Two plays that stand out as being based on prophecy are Oedipus Rex and Antigone, both written by Sophocles. Sophocles may have eggagerated certain … Read more

“Oedipus Rex” by Sophocles

In many plays a character has a misconception of his her self and/or his or her world. When this misconception is destroyed it can be a major turning point in the story. “Oedipus Rex” by Sophocles is one such story. In the story Oedipus has such a misconception where he thinks he has a good … Read more

The Transformation of Oedipus

When Oedipus, as a young man, first learned from one of Apollo92s oracles that he was destined to murder his father and marry his mother, he fled his home in Corinth, attempting to defy the prophecy, and he wandered the roads of Greece. In hi s wanderings he happened upon another traveler who obstructed his … Read more

Oedipus Rex and Teiresias

Blindness and sight: The effects of these contrasting themes help emphasize the impetus of many stories. In Sophocles Oedipus Rex, blindness and sight can be seen as a central theme. Blindness and sight are referred to by the characters in the story many times, and are shown to be quite contradictory. Although being blind means … Read more

Oedipus Rex a Greek tragedy written by Sophocles

Oedipus Rex a Greek tragedy written by Sophocles in the early days of antiquity is based upon an even more ancient story in Greek mythology. Sophocles, however, knowing that his audience is aware of the outcome of the play utilizes that foreknowledge to create various situations in which dramatic and verbal irony play key roles. … Read more

Oedipus Rex – a Greek tragedy written by Sophocles

Oedipus Rex a Greek tragedy written by Sophocles in the early days of antiquity is based upon an even more ancient story in Greek mythology.  Sophocles, however, knowing that his audience is aware of the outcome of the play utilizes that foreknowledge to create various situations in which dramatic and verbal irony play key roles. … Read more

Oedipus Rex, by Sophocles

Oedipus Rex, by Sophocles, (as translated by Dudley Fitts and Robert Fitzgerald), is replete with dramatic devices – one of which is known as Sophoclean Irony. Sophoclean Irony can be divided into two terms: unconscious and conscious irony. Unconscious irony occurs when a character speaks what he believes is the truth, but the audience (fore-armed … Read more