Light And Darkness In Oedipus Rex - 1467 Words

Wisdom and folly, truth and falsehood, peace and suffering are all different forms of light and darkness. To the ancient Greeks, whether one is in darkness or light is determined by their ability to see spiritually, which they believed the physically blind were capable of. This contrast between spiritual sight and mere physical sight is a major theme in Oedipus Rex, the Greek tragedy written by the legendary Sophocles, a Greek playwright so skilled that he won the Festival of Dionysus approximately twenty times with his masterfully crafted tragedies (Buller). Oedipus Rex is a tragic journey of self-discovery as King Oedipus uncovers his origins and how he unwittingly fulfilled the oracle that he will marry his mother Jocasta and kill his†¦show more content†¦Until I came – I, ignorant Oedipus, came – (36-37) Oedipus’ speech about his accomplishments reveals his arrogant nature and reveals that Oedipus revels in the glory of his achievements; blinding himself to his faults. In addition, Oedipus’ sudden flash of rage at Teiresias upon the seer’s refusal to prophecy, despite the seer’s warnings of the pain and anguish the prophecy would bring demonstrates the very rash, quick-tempered nature that led Oedipus to kill his own father Laius (48). Oedipus certainly is very knowledgeable, but he lacks wisdom as he refuses to see his faults and heed the warnings of others. Moreover, even Oedipus calling himself â€Å"ignorant† can be seen as mere false humility, as his rash, arrogant nature is revealed yet again when Oedipus accuses Creon of being the â€Å"proved plotter† against his life and a â€Å"thief† trying to steal Oedipus’ crown (40). Despite Creon handling such an outrageous accusation with care and producing sound arguments as to why he would not be interested in the throne, Oedipus clings to his argument that Creon is plotting to usurp the throne obstinately. He even has a petty argument with Creon about who is right, and Oedipus insisted thatShow MoreRelatedThroughout most famous Greek literature, a great hero usually saves the day. In the story of900 Words   |  4 Pagesusually saves the day. In the story of Oedipus though, the good man with one minor flaw goes through great pain. This pain in the play Oedipus Rex is the focal point for the whole play. Almost every aspect of the play builds up and foreshadows Oedipus’ fall from power, and entry into pain. Sophocles in his tragedy Oedipus Rex creates a mood of dramatic irony using the dualities of sight and blindness, and light and darkness. This dramatic irony highlights Oedipus’ hamartia and in doing so SophoclesRead MoreFree Oedipus Essays : Forms Of Light And Darkness1600 Words   |  7 Pages FORMS OF LIGHT AND DARKNESS IN OEDIPUS REX As a key theme in Greek literature, it has been mentioned that truly the only ones who can see are blind. 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His biological parents, knowing about the Oedipus’ prophecy, abandons him, and continue with their lives. However, Oedipus is saved, but spends his life running away from his adoptive parents (who he believed to be his biological parents), afraid that the prophecy may come true. As the audienceRead MoreThe Tragic Tragedy Of Oedipus Rex1161 Words   |  5 Pages Sophocles’ tragedy Oedipus Rex exemplifies the psychological conflicts that arise as an individual undergoes a drastic realization of character, ultimately leading him on a search to recover his true identity, and along the way bringing to light the darkest demons of his past. The play unfolds through a calamitous tone, which foreshadows the impending downfall of the ruler of Thebes, Oedipus, and the consequences that this downfall will bring to him and all of those around him. The calamitousRead MoreOedipus Rex1350 Words   |  6 PagesGreek Tragedy The Greek drama Oedipus Rex is clearly a tragedy. It definitely meets the five main criteria for a tragedy: a tragic hero of noble birth, a tragic flaw, a fall from grace, a moment of remorse, and catharsis. Interestingly, even though Oedipus the King came before Poetics, Sophocles’ play illustrates Aristotle’s rules for classical drama. Oedipus the King particularly displays a tragic emotion, a tragic character, and a tragic fall. Aristotle also writes that such a drama ought to haveRead MoreOedipus Rex : A Tragic Journey Of Self Discovery1804 Words   |  8 PagesBoth wisdom and folly, truth and falsehood are different forms of the same thing: the relationship between light and darkness. To the ancient Greeks, whether one is in darkness or light is determined by their ability to see spiritually, which they believed the physically blind were capable of. This contrast between spiritual sight and mere physical sight is a major theme in Oedipus Rex, a Greek tragedy writt en by the legendary Sophocles, a Greek playwright so skilled that he won at the Festival ofRead MoreOedipus Rex Literary Synthesis1483 Words   |  6 Pages2012 The Tragic Destiny of Oedipus Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex is one of the most well- known tragic plays in existence. Oedipus, the King of Thebes, is the victim of a curse in which he must suffer the tragedy of his own unchangeable fate. The tragic heroism of Oedipus befalls him because of his heroic qualities and his loyalty to his Thebans and to himself. His unchangeable destiny affects so many others throughout the play. These others’ subsequent suffering that Oedipus brings upon them helps contributeRead MoreEssay Applying Platos Allegory of the Cave1649 Words   |  7 PagesApplying Platos Allegory of the Cave to Oedipus Rex, Hamlet,and Thomas Becket Plato was one of the greatest philosophers of all time. He is recognized all over the world as one of the greatest minds of all time. Knowledge is required under compulsion has not hold on the mind.(Durant 24). Platos dialogues are the fruit of a rare mind; but the could not have kept their perennial freshness if they had not somehow succeeded in expressing he problems and the convictions that are common to Platos