Oedipus

A detailed Summary of Oedipus


1. In which section of the play do we see Oedipus act like the man who killed a number of people for not getting out of the crossroads?

Oedipus by nature carries the characteristics and traits of his father; therefore he is hot-tempered and often irrational. One part where we see such traits is when he meets the prophet Teiresias. As he first meets Teiresias he is very hospitable towards him, he calls him there "champion." Oedipus praised him and was glade to see him. Oedipus spattered Teiresias with complements, in moments, however Oedipus hot-temper took over. Oedipus aggression seeped out of him as he mocked Teiresias's disability and called him a liar. He calls the prophet a murder when a minute ago he applauded him as champion. This trait also emerges when Oedipus confront Creon with his accusations. Oedipus explodes on Creon his trusted kinsman, brother in law and a loyal friend. In the beginning of the play he gives Creon highly important tasks. Oedipus regards his opinion highly as well. Now we see he betrays everything and lashes out on Creon calling him a traitor. When really it is Oedipus who fails to see the light and therefore not only betrays himself, but the people around him. He does not really want to hear Creon


10. What is the important of the last two lines of the play?

5. Did Oedipus create his own horror or did the gods make his destiny?

Jocasta as if a mother tries to cool down the arguments that arise between Creon and Oedipus. She gives encouragement and hope to Oedipus saying things like "spare him for the sake of ... his oath to God." Also as much as she tries to comfort him, she backs up Oedipus's suspicions of the worst. She is also a hypocrite, to him she tells that God's and prophets are rubbish, however later she herself goes to the temple with offerings of incense. She is very passiont with Oedipus tries to be rational with him and give him comfort in her strength and reassure that everything is not that bad. She even says that if it is your fate to sleep with our mother it is all just how you deal with the issue. She tries to give him reassurance and hope. Ironically she only gives him distress and despair.

out. He is already ready to abandon there relationship and kill his friend. He is quick in making choice and therefore he ends up making foolish ones. The warnings are issued everywhere throughout the play, that Oedipus hot-temper will be his doom. The prophet, chorus, and even his wife try to warn him; nevertheless he fails in restraining his temper. Also in the end of the play when the Herdsman is received in Oedipus's house he orders to pursued the old man with pain by twisting his arm.

Time is a powerful element in the play; it makes the play more dramatic and the punishment more painful. Since Oedipus killed his father, it took many years for him to realize what he had done and for that time a lot was established. He became king, had children, and fell in love with his mother. He was high on top, well the higher he was the harder he stumbled down. His whole life was based on trying to escape the unstoppable fate. No matter what he did it only drew him closer to his destiny. Time was important since it emphasized that all his efforts and sacrifices were pointless. He left the people who loved him because he tried to avoid his fate and lost a good loving home.

It is a horrific punishment which Oedipus inflicted by his own hand on himself because he lost the will to leave. However it is tragic irony that now when he finally figures out who he really is, he blinds himself. Whe

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Approximate Word count = 1566
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

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