Oedipus Rex Useful Illuminations Flashcards
What reveals the contradictory position of honour?
Oedipus states he needs to ‘avenge this wrong to Thebes and to the god. Not for some far-off kinsman, but myself’; also fears that the king-killer will kill him too (irony)
Speaking of theoretical offender
‘give him no part in prayer or sacrifice or lustral rites, but hound him from your homes’
Showing the importance of societal participation to self-identity
How does Creon repond when accused by Oedipus?
‘if by the general voice I am denounced false to the State and false to you my friends’ - ‘general voice’ as more important than truth?
Why does Creon not want to be King?
‘were I king, my acts would oft run counter to my will’
What does Oedipus’ tale show?
The importance placed upon lineage - he states that ‘nothing can make me other than who I am’, but this is clearly untrue and birth shapes him
Godly power over kings
Creon - purpose of tragedy
‘e’en intolerable ills, finding right issue, tend to naught but good’
What is the purpose of the Chorus and Tiresias?
To remind of godly presence
