Character: Jocasta

Question 1

What is ironic about Jocastas dismissal of prophecy ?

Answer 1

Dismisses the oracles in an attempt to reassure Oedipus ‘Apollo brought neither things to pass’
- she believes oracles mean nothing, juxtaposed as she then prays in supplication of the gods after the 2nd stasismon

Question 2

How can we see Jocasta having extreme authority ?

Answer 2

At one point Oedipus says he shares power with her and Creon
- implies it’s that they share power

Question 3

How can we see Jocasta to have influence over Oedipus ?

Answer 3

In the 2nd episode, at the height of the emotional tension built up by Sophocles through stykamethia and line sharing
- Oedipus is attempting to convict Creon of an attempted coup
- Only calms down upon Jocasta’s entry ‘are you ashamed’