Oedipus Tragic Realization

This moment in Oedipus the King, is very influential in the progress of the play. This is the moment after Oedipus realized his role in the prophecy and his part in the deterioration of Thebes. Essentially this is the highest point of the play, the climax if you will. The significance of the stabbing of the eyes is final tragic moment for Oedipus. Racked with the guilt of killing his real father and the shame in marrying his mother and bareing children with her causes him to cause his own blindness. He no longer wants to face the world or see his children who remind him of his failures and disgrace.

Work Cited:

"Oedipus Stabbing Eyes." Theatre Review:Oedipus Rex. Web. 1 Nov 2010. <http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2009/apr/07/theater-review-oedipus-rex/?refscroll=1380>.

Oedipus and the Sphinx

This image depicts the monumental turning point for Oedipus. The event shown here is the beginning of his tragic downfall. This moment in the play is the climax of the play. When Oedipus answers the sphinx's riddle, he is walking into the role of Tragic hero. The answering of the riddle secured his place as the King. He then goes on to marry the Queen, who in this case is his mother. Thus fulfilling the second part of the prophecy made by the Oracle on the day of his birth. Oedipus becoming King results in a plague sweeping the land. Driven by is pride as King, Oedipus journeys to find the cause of the plague, finally discovering the origins of his birth and the truth of who killed the previous King.

Work Cited:

"Oedipus encountering the Sphinx." Look and Learn. Web. 1 Nov 2010. <http://www.lookandlearn.com/blog/?p=135>.

Ancient Greek Theatre

 

This video discusses Greek theatre and the playwrights associated with this time period in theatre history. Oedipus was written by Sophecles, one of the playwrights of this time period. They speak of the themes involved with the different forms of Greek Theatre. The one most invoked with this play is the form known as Tragedy.

Oedipus is by all accounts a tragedy. the most common theme related to Tragedy is the use of a "Tragic Hero". Within Tragedies, the main character is always plagued with some flaw of character, also known as a tragic flaw. In this instance, Oedipus's is that that of an overweening pride, known as Hamartia. Thus becoming the Tragic Hero, because his pride keeps him for seeing the truth. Oedipus is a prideful, arrogant and influential man and must be portrayed as such until his tragic downfall.

Work Cited:

"Unit #2: Greek Theatre." Youtube. Web. 1 Nov 2010. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmSbqfy5Df0>.