H O N O R S W O R L D L I T E R A T U R E OEDIPUS REX C L A S S D I S C U S S I O N G U I D E
IN MEDIA RES The play begins "in the middle of things." What is happening? What's with the olive branches and wool? Is Oedipus a good king?
O E D I P U S A C T S THE KING TAKES ACTION What has Oedipus already done? What do they "know" about Laius' death? "Whoever killed Laius might decide to raise his hand against me."
FIRST CHORAL ODE Prayer to the gods brings home the reality in Thebes Images of light (sight) and darkness (blindness) = motif How does Oedipus respond? "I shall fight for him, as if he were my own father."
D O E S O E D I P U S O V E R S T E P H I S R O L E H E R E? HUBRIS? A M A N I S N O T A G O D...
SOPHROSYNE "But to compel the gods to act against their will - no man could do that." Sophrosyne = modesty, temperance, awareness of one's limitations Let's hope he keeps this up...
OEDIPUS' SECOND STEP This guy is busy! Tiresias is blind, but he alone "sees." Why is he so reluctant to speak? What does he finally reveal?!? How does Oedipus react? Does he really blame Creon, or is he just stunned? Lots of sight/blindness imagery "Aren't you the best man alive at guessing riddles?" Touche!
SECOND CHORAL ODE The people of Thebes review the accusations. Apollo is associated with truth and light. Do they trust the prophet or their king? The chorus leader speaks with Creon. How does he react?
W I S E W O R D S... "I DON'T KNOW. AND WHEN I DON'T UNDERSTAND, I KEEP SILENT." T H E K E Y D I F F E R E N C E B E T W E E N O E D I P U S A N D C R E O N
CREON'S DEFENSE Why would he want to be king? Enter Jocasta It's ironic that she sounds like a mother here... The chorus also tries to help
A V E R Y I M P O R T A N T C H A T O AND J DISCUSS THE DEETS Jocasta repeatedly denies the power of prophecy! This sounds all too familiar to Oedipus. Have they never talked about his past?!? So much blindness...
THIRD CHORAL ODE Discusses the truth/falsehood of divine prophecy. This is important! If Apollo's prophecy is inaccurate, then there is no order. If Oedipus defeats the oracle, he threatens religion.
HAMARTIA? What might be Oedipus' fatal flaw? UNITIES? Time Place Action
C O R I N T H I A N M E S S E N G E R WHAT'S THE NEWS? Is Jocasta arrogant? Explain. She denies the prophecies a third time here. Sophocles uses Q&A to build suspense and dramatic irony. Who knows the truth first? How does he/she react?
M I S U N D E R S T A N D I N G ONE OF YOU GO GET THAT SHEPHERD, BRING HIM HERE. WE WILL LEAVE HER TO PRIDE HERSELF ON HER ROYAL BIRTH.
FOURTH CHORAL ODE "Why has the queen gone, Oedipus?" They are anxious and excited about the revelation of Oedipus' birth. Lots of irony
SHEPHERD Like Tiresias, he is reluctant to speak. The king's temper rises again. "It was the son of Laius, so I was told."
O E D I P U S R E A L I Z E S T H E T R U T H LIGHT, LET THIS BE THE LAST TIME I SEE YOU. I STAND REVEALED - BORN IN SHAME, MARRIED IN SHAME, AN UNNATURAL MURDERER.
FIFTH CHORAL ODE The chorus presents the fate of Oedipus. They pity their king. A classic story of man's rise and fall A messenger enters to reveal the horrors within the castle. Why is this action offstage?
F I N A L S C E N E OEDIPUS ACHIEVES EUSEBIA Oedipus is in control when he returns. What will he do? Creon explains that the gods order the world. Oedipus now understands that prophecies are unavoidable.
ARISTOTLE'S POETICS T E R M S T O K N O W Mimesis Catharsis Hamartia Anagnorisis Peripeteia Sophrosyne Eusebia Phronesis Logos
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS W H Y D O H U M A N B E I N G S F E E L C O M P E L L E D T O D I S C O V E R T H E T R U T H A B O U T T H E M S E L V E S? W H A T I S T H E R O L E O F F A T E / F R E E W I L L I N H U M A N L I F E? W H A T C O M P E L S H U M A N B E I N G S T O S A C R I F I C E T H E M S E L V E S F O R T H E G R E A T E R G O O D?