Summary of Oedipus Rex Essay - 1164 Words

Summary of Oedipus Rex Summary for Oedipus Rex The storytelling method that is employed in most classical writing, i.e. the Iliad and the Odyssey as well as Greek tragedy, allows for the development of two stories. One is the story of the now. The now is told through the actions and events of the play or story. The other story that is told is the past. The past is composed of stories that are told by characters and gives needed background information about the main characters and events. In Oedipus Rex, the realization of Oedipuss tyrannous rise to power is the now story. The story of Oedipuss birth and placement in the world is the past story. Both of these stories are woven into the play and each holds a place in†¦show more content†¦Creon is confused because he has always been a supporter of Oedipus and has never had aspirations to overthrow Oedipus. Oedipus is blind to rational thinking and proceeds to make unfounded accusations. Jocasta enters and breaks up the argument . She comforts Oedipus by suggesting that Teiresias is wrong and that humans have no place in prophecy. As they are talking, a messenger comes to tell Oedipus that his father is dead. This messenger also tells how Oedipus is not a son of Polybus by blood. The herdsman that had been sent for to be questioned about the death of Laius enters. Through the discussion of these men, it becomes apparent that Oedipus was most likely the son of Jocasta and Laius and that he is indeed the poison that has been plaguing the land. All leave except the Chorus. A messenger arrives to tell the Chorus about Jocasta and Oedipuss reaction. Jocasta had returned to her home and cursed the bed upon which she had slept with both Oedipus and Laius. She then hung herself. Oedipus returned. Finding Jocasta hung, he cut her down and removed the broaches from her dress and thrust them into his eyes. The play ends with Oedipus asking that Creon take care of his daughters and Thebes. Oedipus feels great shame. He has blinded himself because he does not want to see his father and mother in the after world. With this shame he leaves Thebes to wander the world. The past story is places into the nowShow MoreRelated Oedipus Rex – a Christ Figure Essays1020 Words   |  5 PagesOedipus Rex – a Christ Figure  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚        Ã‚   Sophocles’ famous tragedy, Oedipus Rex, perhaps â€Å"the most important and influential drama ever written† (â€Å"Sophocles† 717), presents in the person of   Oedipus the model of a good ruler, a humanely intelligent and vigorously active leader, a man who earlier saved his adopted city Thebes from disaster. Is Oedipus an alter Christus besides?    The numerous parallels between the figure of the king Oedipus and the figure of Christ in the ScripturesRead MoreHow to Read Literature Like a Professor1408 Words   |  6 PagesChapter 3 - Nice To Eat You: Acts of Vampires Chapter Summary: -Ghosts and vampires are never only about ghosts and vampires. 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He also felt that the entire worlds evils came from a defective senseRead Moretheme of alienation n no where man by kamala markandeya23279 Words   |  94 Pagesï » ¿ANTIGONE KEY LITERARY ELEMENTS SETTING This tragedy is set against the background of the Oedipus legend. It illustrates how the curse on the House of Labdacus (who is the grandson of Cadmus, founder of Thebes, and the father of Laius, whose son is Oedipus) brought about the deaths of Oedipus and his wife-mother, Jocasta, as well as the double fratricide of Eteocles and Polynices. Furthermore, Antigone dies after defying King Creon. The play is set in Thebes, a powerful city-state north of