Consider the Role of Minor Characters in the Play

A detailed Summary of Consider the Role of Minor Characters in the Play

"CONSIDER THE ROLE OF MINOR CHARACTERS IN THE PLAY. WHAT DO THEY DO TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE DRAMA?"

The drama 'Oedipus the King' is a classical tragedy by Sophocles set in the ancient city of Thebes. The characters learn that the city is corrupted by a deadly plague, leading them to remove the same. The play is very ironic as curses called upon the deadly plague falls upon the one who had called them out - King Oedipus. In my view, the major characters are king Oedipus, Jocasta, Creon and Tiresisas. The minor characters are the chorus, the Corinthian shepherd, the messenger from inside the palace, the two daughters of Oedipus, priest and attendants. In this essay, I will be discussing the role of these minor characters in the play and what they do to contribute to the drama.

In the drama, the knowledge that some characters posses is very crucial in developing the plot. This is contained by the minor characters. The knowledge is the basic foundation of Oedipus' future, either to remain king of Thebes or to be sentenced to death or exile forever. The main theme is that every man is born with a pre-destined future. Now matter how hard you try to change it, the truth (the knowledge)will always come back.

om Corinth is the one who brings message about the Corinthian king, Polybus' death. He is also the man who

The truth of Oedipus' birth and Lauis' murder is backed up in the play from Tiresias, to the messenger and finally to the shepherd. King Oedipus did not believe any one of these people, but, they served as a reinforcement of the truth of each other, although they did not know each other as much, the truth has found way itself. Oedipus finally realises himself that everyone else was right and then only regrets for it.

The shepherd (Corinthian) is the one responsible to confirm every truth, by Tiresias and the messenger. Hence, the play becomes even more dramatic than before. For instance, king Oedipus becomes violent when he hears the truth, "Twist his arms back quickly!" Performing this aggressive act to an old man can imply the tension that may have been created in Oedipus; that the truth was almost impossibly hard to believe.

There are also sub-effects following the unravelling of truth in the play. The dialogue between King Oedipus and the messenger is very dramatic. From pg.16 onwards, we can see that the dialogue between both these characters are one line each. This also serves to add pace and tension to the play. The interest of the reader to go on is also enhanced. Moreover, the minor characters play a big role in piecing the play together. Tiresias starts off with stating the truth, although not explicitly, to whom violent opposition is faced from Oedipus. This leads on to the calling of the messenger from Corinth. Later as we will see, a messenger from inside the palace is

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Approximate Word count = 1081
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English