Oedipus Essays and Term Papers
Last update: July 31, 2014-
Oedipus Paper
Oedipus Paper The Theban plays taught ancient Greeks that there were four things that should be learned and lived by in order to be a good person and a good leader. The chorus outlined these things in the last lines of “Antigone” (pg 162). According to the chorus, Of happiness the crown And chiefest part Is wisdom, and to hold The gods in awe. This is the law That, seeing the stricken heart Of pride
Rating:Essay Length: 821 Words / 4 PagesSubmitted: December 5, 2009 -
Oedipus Rex
In the play “Oedipus Rex” there is man (Oedipus), who unknowingly kills his father (Liaus), marries his mother (Jocasta), and bears children with her. There is a lot of irony floating around in this play. However, situational irony plays the largest role. Situational irony is when an event occurs that directly contradicts the expectations of the characters, the reader, or the audience. The first example of situational irony that really sticks out for me is
Rating:Essay Length: 469 Words / 2 PagesSubmitted: December 5, 2009 -
Oedipus Rex
Sight and Blindness References to eyesight and vision, both literal and metaphorical, are very frequent in all three of the Theban plays. Quite often, the image of clear vision is used as a metaphor for knowledge and insight. In fact, this metaphor is so much a part of the Greek way of thinking that it is almost not a metaphor at all, just as in modern English: to say "I see the truth" or "I
Rating:Essay Length: 721 Words / 3 PagesSubmitted: December 7, 2009 -
Use of Dramatic Irony in Oedipus the King
Oedipus Rex a Greek tragedy written by Sophocles in the early days of antiquity is based upon an even more ancient story in Greek mythology. Sophocles, however, knowing that his audience is aware of the outcome of the play utilizes that foreknowledge to create various situations in which dramatic and verbal irony play key roles. Through his use of irony Sophocles manages to avoid simply retelling an old tale, though the audience is cognizant
Rating:Essay Length: 1,788 Words / 8 PagesSubmitted: December 7, 2009 -
Tiresias in Oedipus Rex
Tiresias has been a staple in classical literature, a go-to oracle for the ages: his guest appearances range from advising Odysseus in Homer’s The Odyssey to walking the eighth circle of hell in Dante’s Divine Comedy. In Oedipus Rex, however, Tiresias takes on a brief but starring role, portraying the significant themes of sight and truth in a single meeting with the troubled Oedipus. Motivated by the search for Laius’ murderer, Oedipus seeks Tiresias’ divine
Rating:Essay Length: 345 Words / 2 PagesSubmitted: December 12, 2009 -
Oedipus Rex as a Tragic Hero
The character of Oedipus can definitely be defined as a tragic hero as he possesses all five components of the accepted definition. Tragic heros must be people of high or noble birth, not pre-eminently virtuous or just, who, through some fatal flaw in their own character or serious error in judgment, precipitate their own downfall and thereby gain knowledge through suffering. The first aspect that defines a tragic hero is that of one being born
Rating:Essay Length: 757 Words / 4 PagesSubmitted: December 14, 2009 -
Divine Right of Kings in Oedipus and Modern Society
When the president talks to God Do they drink beer and go play golf While they pick which countries to invade Which Muslim souls still can be saved? I guess God just calls a spade a spade When the president talks to God. (Oberst) The concept of the divine right of kings has been impacting history in both literature and politics throughout the ages. Today, this concept is reemerging in contemporary American politics through
Rating:Essay Length: 595 Words / 3 PagesSubmitted: December 14, 2009 -
Oedipus Rex by Sophocles
In the play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, Oedipus is a classic tragic hero. According to Aristotle's definition; Oedipus is a tragic hero because he is a king whose life falls apart when he finds out his life story. There are a number of characteristics described by Aristotle that identify a tragic hero. For example, a tragic hero must cause his own downfall; his fate is not deserved, and his punishment exceeds the crime; he also
Rating:Essay Length: 729 Words / 3 PagesSubmitted: December 15, 2009 -
Gods Vs. Mortals in Oedipus Rex & the Bacchae
Anyone who is familiar with Greek mythology has heard a story about tyrannous Zeus, throwing thunderbolts, turning people into animals, or causing other supernatural events while releasing his wrath. He proves time and time again that he is more powerful than any mortal who tries to compete with him. Though Zeus is the mightiest, there are stories about many other gods demonstrating their power over mortals. Two such gods are Apollo and Dionysus. In the
Rating:Essay Length: 1,648 Words / 7 PagesSubmitted: December 15, 2009 -
Oedipus Rex Analysis Essay
The chorus play an important role throughout the play, they not only set up various scenes, but they represent the collective moods and feelings that are supposed to be felt at the time. When the chorus mourns, the audience mourn. They are also the voice of reason, clarity and sense, attributes to which we cannot associate with Oedipus. And so they play a vital role, connecting his actions back to the play. A way to
Rating:Essay Length: 1,708 Words / 7 PagesSubmitted: December 17, 2009 -
Oedipus’ Blindness - a Burden to the Body and Mind
Blindness is a condition which has plagued mankind since the beginning of time. The loss of sight can have devastating effects on a persons life, both physically and mentally. Blindness is often always associated with having no eye-sight, but in the play Oedipus Rex , it can also be a symbol of ignorance. Oedipus, his wife Jocasta and Tiresias are all victims of blindness which affects their lives. Oedipus is the child of prophecy, burdened
Rating:Essay Length: 627 Words / 3 PagesSubmitted: December 19, 2009 -
Hamlet Suffering from Oedipus Complex
The character of Hamlet is very complex and full of contradictions. He seems gentle, yet he acts cruelly towards the people who care about him the most. He is also careful to develop a strategy which will allow him a sense of retribution against Claudius for the murder of his father without being suspected, but then he kills Polonius in a wild fit of irrationality. Still, Hamlet possesses a very philosophical mind. He is always
Rating:Essay Length: 433 Words / 2 PagesSubmitted: December 19, 2009 -
Oedipus Rex and Aristotle
The Six Elements of a Tragedy in “Oedipus Rex” Aristotle’s “The Poetics” describes the process of a tragedy. It is not the guide per se of writing a tragedy but is the idea’s Aristotle collected while studying tragedies. A tragedy, according to Aristotle, consists of six major points. The first and most important is the plot, which is what all the other points are based on. Such points are: character, language, thought, melody, and spectacle
Rating:Essay Length: 924 Words / 4 PagesSubmitted: December 19, 2009 -
Compare and Contrast the Part That the City or State (polis) Plays in Antigone and Oedipus the King.
In both Antigone and Oedipus the King the city plays an important part with the majority of the action in both plays taking place in public in front of a chorus of Theban citizens. Personal conflict/crises take place in public, and when personal events take place off stage, they are relied to the chorus (and the audience) through messengers. The city also helps to move the plot of the plays along, as well providing dramatic
Rating:Essay Length: 449 Words / 2 PagesSubmitted: December 19, 2009 -
Oedipus Rex and the Theme of Blindness
Sophocles’s play, “Oedipus the King” is one of the most well known of the Greek tragedies. The play’s interesting plot, along with the incredible way it is written are only two of the many reasons why two thousand years later, it is still being read and viewed. For those who are not familiar with the story of “Oedipus the King”, it is written about the results of a curse put on King Oedipus which claims
Rating:Essay Length: 379 Words / 2 PagesSubmitted: December 19, 2009 -
Oedipus Vs. Hamlet: A Character Comparison
This paper is the rough draft version. There are grammatical errors and other such errors in it. Oedipus vs. Hamlet: A Character Comparison After reading Sophocles' Oedipus the King and Shakespeare's Hamlet, it is quiet clear that Oedipus is by far the more admirable character of the two. Aside from Oedipus' history and life experience, his superior character traits are also displayed in the way he handles several incidents throughout the play. One of the
Rating:Essay Length: 764 Words / 4 PagesSubmitted: December 21, 2009 -
Sight and Blindess of Oedipus the King
Sight and Blindness Oedipus the King by Sophocles was a play written after a devastating plague struck the city of Athens in 430 B.C. The play is about how knowledge can lead to devastation and destruction based on how the characters find out the truth of the Delphic Oracle. Years before Oedipus became the king of Thebes, the previous king, Laius, had received a prophecy that his son would grow up to kill his father.
Rating:Essay Length: 302 Words / 2 PagesSubmitted: December 21, 2009 -
Oedipus Report
In Oedipus rex there were a lot of people to blame that contributed to the fate of Oedipus.Not only were there a lot of people to blame, but there were factors and events that probably couldn’t be avoided. The tragedy also could’ve been prevented if Oedipus would’ve chosen different actions. Oedipus was ignorant in many ways to see the truth from the start of his legacy that had overcome thebes. King Lauis and Jocosta could
Rating:Essay Length: 391 Words / 2 PagesSubmitted: December 22, 2009 -
Oedipus
Oedipus The play Oedipus has similar events that are similar in my own life. Some themes from Oedipus that are relevant to my life include denying the truth and having too much pride or hubris. The theme denial of truth is basically where a person knows what is actually real, but they don’t want to tell the truth because they think it might make their life worse by filling it with different complications. Denial of
Rating:Essay Length: 331 Words / 2 PagesSubmitted: December 24, 2009 -
Oedipus Rex
The statement “Life is a constant struggle between good and evil is valid. All people have admirable traits. These same people may also have a despicable side to them. This is proven in the tragedy Oedipus the King by Sophocles. Oedipus is characterized as an admirable ruler. He is a man of action. Before he is even asked by his people, he sent Creon to the Oracle at Delphi. He also sent for Tiresias.
Rating:Essay Length: 443 Words / 2 PagesSubmitted: December 26, 2009 -
Oedipus Failure to Avoid Destiny
The Failure of Destiny Avoidance (plan) The characters in Oedipus Rex try very hard to avoid their destiny but ultimately fail. Discuss King Oedipus is a dramatic play about how the characters Oedipus, Jocasta, and Laius live to put all their efforts in avoidance of their destiny but ultimately fail.  Destiny: Oedipus murder Laius (father) and incest to Jocasta.  Murder and incest considered extremely bad in Greek society  punished by Gods 
Rating:Essay Length: 339 Words / 2 PagesSubmitted: December 29, 2009 -
Oedipus Rex
Oedipus Rex In the play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, Oedipus, the precocious child raised by the royalty of Corinth, is torn by the intense desire of the past. Ironically by searching in this direction, the forsaken king of Thebes accelerates into what some may call his “predetermined” fate. When the gods chose for Laius’ son to be damned, they did so by twisting Oedipus’ otherwise noble heart into eventual inglorious evil doom. This is what
Rating:Essay Length: 453 Words / 2 PagesSubmitted: December 30, 2009 -
Oedipus Rex
SOME twelve years before the action of the play begins, Oedipus has been made King of Thebes in gratitude for his freeing the people from the pestilence brought on them by the presence of the riddling Sphinx. Since Laius, the former king, had shortly before been killed, Oedipus has been further honored by the hand of Queen Jocasta. Now another deadly pestilence is raging and the people have come to ask Oedipus to rescue them
Rating:Essay Length: 399 Words / 2 PagesSubmitted: January 4, 2010 -
Compare Oedipus and Creon's Rule
In the stories of Oedipus Rex and Antigone, there are many similarities between the rules of Thebes. Oedipus Rex is about a man who tries to escape his fate by running away from his supposed mother and father, just to end up fulfilling his destiny by killing his father and marrying his mother. Antigone is about a woman who has buried her brother against her king’s orders. Imprisoned in a cave as punishment, she proceeds
Rating:Essay Length: 680 Words / 3 PagesSubmitted: January 4, 2010 -
Neither Oedipus nor Hamlet Was the Direct Cause of His Troubles.
Although you may never meet them, and although you may not tread the soil of God’s green earth at the same time, many believe it to be a scientific fact every one of us has a twin. These people believe that in some way, we are all connected as twins. Upon presenting their theory, these individuals must have been confronted with hitches and hurdles. From chuckling and chortling to snickering and sneering, one can only
Rating:Essay Length: 613 Words / 3 PagesSubmitted: January 4, 2010