Recorded Conversation Flashcards
What were your initial impressions of your chosen character?
Initially, Oedipus is demonstrated as a man of swift and vigorous action. This is showcased when Oedipus announced that he “acted at once”, this clearly indicates that Oedipus is dedicated to solve this plague as soon as possible. Furthermore, Oedipus anticipates advice. When the chorus enters and recommends calling for Tiresias, Oedipus says that he has “not been slow with that.” To add to this, Oedipus is also presented as a free agent. Oedipus dismisses Creon’s advice when Creon says ‘If you want my report in the presence of these people’, this foreshadows that something bad might happen in the future.But Oedipus still chooses to take public inquiry. All this links to the theme of action vs reflection. Oedipus seems to take quick action but does not reflect on the consequences that these actions can have in the future. Also, at this point Oedipus is the man with power. He enters from the ‘double doors’ that dominate. This grand entry from the dominating doors bolsters that Oedipus is well respected. Moreover, Oedipus is displayed as a noble and compassionate king. The phrase ‘I would be blind to misery not to pity my people kneeling at my feet’ strengthens his caring personality. However, this is also ironic because the Oedipus is the cause of this plague, but he is blind to the truth. This connects to the theme of sight vs blindness. Overall, I believe that Oedipus has the best intentions but his judgements are clouded.
How does this impression develop?
As the play progresses, the first major change with Oedipus is seen when he talks to Tiresias. Initially Oedipus shows respect to Tiresias, he says that he is the “master of all miseries”, this alliteration showcases that Oedipus believes that Tiresias is valuable to him and can help solve the plague. However, Tiresias gives no transparent answer at this point, he said that he should “shroud it all in silence”. This implies that Oedipus’s peripetidia is coming as the word “shroud” is connected to death. Because of this, Oedipus loses his temper and starts insulting Tiresias, this contrasts to how Oedipus was talking to Tiresias previously. Tiresias gets pushed to expose the truth and tells Oedipus that he is the “ corruption of the land,”. Due to this, Oedipus rages and calls Tiresias “stone-blind, stone-deaf, eyes blind as stone.” This is irrational and illogical as Oedipus first asks for the truth but then becomes furious when he hears the truth. The change in behaviour communicates that Oedipus is just as quick to turn on people as quick as he is when he is making decisions. Additionally, Oedipus also makes a big accusation against Creon that he was trying to overthrow him. Oedipus attempts to quarrel with Creon and is not open-minded to what he is saying.
Which of the themes of the play is Oedipus most closely connected with?
Oedipus is arguably the most connected with fate vs free will. The whole play revolves around two prophecies. The first one was received by his father Lauis, he was told that his son would kill him. The second prophecy was told to Oedipus and it was that he would kill his father and marry his mother. Oedipus tries to avoid the prophecy by running away from Corinth but he ends up fulfilling the prophecy by trying to avoid it, this shows that Oedipus can not escape his fate no matter what. Oedipus kills his father at crossroads, this is an important symbol in the play. At crossroads often life changing decisions are made and Oedipus killed his father in these crossroads, which fulfilled a part of his fate. Moreover, the crossroads led to Thebes, where he was able to become the king and marry Jocasta by becoming the king. This shows that even after the brave attempt to escape his fate, it was not possible for Oedipus. However, Oedipus does have free will to do certain things. He had the freedom to search for the truth, the truth about the prophecies, about the gods, about himself. Oedipus makes full use of this freedom. Even after appeals from others, Oedipus still carries on searching for the truth. This is very clearly seen when the shepherd foreshadows “The more I tell, the worse death I’ll die”. Even after indications like these, Oedipus was determined to find the truth and nothing else other than the truth, demonstrating his courage. In this search, Oedipus shows the great qualities that we admire in him, for example courage, intelligence, perseverance. “the hand that struck my eyes was mine”. This shows that Oedipus had the free will to respond to his fate and the gods did not interfere in this decision. The reason why I believe that fate vs free will is the most important theme is because it connects to other themes, for example seeking truth. The reason why Oedipus had to seek truth was because of the plague and the reason why the plague happened was because Oedipus was the killer which was written in his fate. In addition, also connected to action vs reflection, took action to find out about his fate without thinking about the consequences.
Can you discuss your final impression of your character / theme?
When Oedipus enters the stage with his gouged eyes, the audience gets sympathy for him. The stage direction shows that Oedipus was “lead by a boy” replicating Tiresias’s entry. Oedipus is physically unable to see but can has inner sight as he can see the truth. When Oedipus enters from the palace, the sight of him is so terrible that the Chorus can hardly bear to look at him, “how could you bear it?”. However, Oedipus makes no mention of physical pain, just like Tiresias Oedipus has left the worries of the physical world to reflect about his sins. The Chorus approves his wish that he should have died on the mountain-side before reaching manhood. The chorus says “oh if only”. Oedipus gratefully recognises the loyalty of the chorus in looking after him. Oedipus tells the chorus that they are “loyal to the last”. This expression establishes Oedipus’s respect for the chorus but also shows that Oedipus is now equal to nothing, making the audience have some sympathy for him.
Near the end of the play, the new leader commands Oedipus to leave his daughters, he says “you’ve wept enough. Into the palace now” This creates a pitiful impression for Oedipus as the honorable king has now lost all his power and he can not care for his daughters. hus the final impression of Oedipus is sorrowful and pitiful.
3 Key moments in the play?
One important moment for Oedipus is when Tiresias enters as it reveals clearly Oedipus’s hubris and arrogance. Tiresias is blind but can see the truth, Oedipus has sight but is unable to see the truth. In this scene Oedipus tries to seek truth but Tiresias initially refuses to say the truth as he says “the truth is only pain to him who sees!” Sophocles uses the word “pain” to foreshadow. However, as Oedipus is a man of quick action, he ignores Tiresias’s indication and continues to search for the truth, linking to the theme of action vs reflection as Oedipus is taking action without reflecting on the outcomes these actions can have. Oedipus becomes furious and starts to mock Tiresias’s blindness when Tiresias exposes the truth about Oedipus. Oedipus calls him “stone-blind”, this is ironic as Tiresias is the one who could see the truth and Oedipus is the one who is the blind to the truth.
Another key moment in the play is the scene with Jocasta. Sophocles uses this scene to build tension and helps give Oedipus more hints that he was the killer. Jocasta tells Oedipus that Lauis was killed at a place where “three roads meet”, the symbol of this crossroads enhances the idea of fate throughout the tragedy. When people are at crossroads, they make life changing decisions. In this crossroads, Oedipus kills his father, completing a part of his fate. Oedipus becomes anxious after hearing about Lauis’s death in the crossroads, he uses his freewill to search for the truth. Searching for the truth is arguably the only freewill that Oedipus has at this point and Oedipus makes full use of this freewill, against the hints of others Oedipus pushes onto search for the truth. This search showcases some of the great qualities that we admire in him, such as courage, intelligence and perseverance. Oedipus asks educated questions such as “how did he look?” to get as much information as possible about Lauis. The continuous asking of questions shows that Oedipus is determined to find the killer.
Finally, another key moment is when the description of Jocasta hanging herself and Oedipus pinning his eyes is given by the messenger. Sophocles uses language to make this scene petrifying by saying that the “blood spurts from the roots”. The word spurts helps visualise the amount of blood rushing out of Oedipus’s eyes. Moreover, the blood is described as “black hail”, which suggests that all of Oedipus’s sins have come out. Oedipus can now see the truth but has lost his vision, he was not able to escape his fate. However, Oedipus did have the freewill to respond to his fate, when Oedipus comes out from the palace, he says that “the hands that struck my eyes was mine” implying that this was his own decision.
Relationship with Creon
Creon is Oedipus’s brother in law. In the prologue Oedipus and Creon’s relationship is one of trust and mutual respect. Oedipus calls Creon his “kinsman”, conveys that Oedipus has a strong and loyal relationship with Creon. As the play progresses, Oedipus’ instantly believes that Creon is to blame for Teiresias’ words creating conflict and tension. Oedipus says “I want you dead” showing Oedipus’s aggressive behaviour and his protection for throne. This is also ironic as Oedipus the cause of the trouble in Thebes and Creon is the innocent one, but Oedipus is accusing Creon. Nearing the end of the play, dramatic impact is created by the reversal of power with Creon as the new ruler and Oedipus a pitiful figure. Creon has sympathy for Oedipus, he asks the guard if they have “lost all respect for human feelings”, this rhetorical question displays that Creon feels sorrow for Oedipus. However, Creon then quickly later declares that “none of your power follows you through life” to Oedipus. Reminding him that his power is now gone and he is incharge. Oedipus and Creon’s relationship contrasts to how it was in the beginning.
What do you make of the play’s title? Why did Sophocles call the play Oedipus?
Oediupus is the victim of this tragedy and he is used to warn the audience about disrespecting the gods and not believing in prophecies. Furthermore, it is rational to name the play after the protagonist. Oedipus brings to light about what happens when you try to outrun your fate and not believe in gods. He pins his eyes, saying “You’ll see no more the pain I caused” this means that he is ashamed for his actions and past.
Do you think your chosen character is a hero or a villain? (Such a question used with characters eliciting opposing judgements, for example, saint v. sinner, or hero v. villain, can provoke lively personal responses.)
Sophocles initially presents Oedipus as a hero, the priests come up to him and tell him that “you freed us from the Sphinx”, displaying Oedipus’s previous heroic actions. Oedipus also shows characteristics of a hero, he takes vigorous action (talked in initial impression), and is dedicated to free Thebes from the plague. After cursing the killer of Lauis, he even says “may the curse I just called down on him strike me!” conveying that Oedipus is ready to sacrifice himself for Thebes. However, this is ironic because Oedipus is actually the killer of Lauis but he acts confident that he is not the killer. Although Oedipus is showcased as a hero, I personally believe that he is a villan as he is the cause of the plague. Thebes would not had suffered so much if Oedipus was not there. Oedipus clearly had the right aims but his fate did not allow him to be a hero. Oedipus was cursed from birth and although he tried his best to be a hero, every action that he took to seek truth made him one step closer to be seen as a villain. Therefore, I believe that Oedipus was a villain.
What do you find powerful (or memorable/striking/vivid/ironic etc.) about the way the
writer uses language to present the chosen character or theme – with specific `
examples?
The motif of the eye is constantly used. Oedipus pins his eyes “blood spurting from the roots” and “black hail of blood pulsing, gushing down.” This shows that the use of the eye is both metaphoric and literal. The “black hail” is all the sins that he did in the past which are all being pushed down into the outside world and being revealed to everyone. The word spurting signifies the horror of this scene. I find this scene memorable because it suggests the dangers about what happens when you try to escape your fate.
Oedipus uses an unusual phrase “I am agony,” this is striking because Oedipus does not say that he is in agony but instead he says that he is agony. This implies that Oedipus’s whole life is defined as agony, which is a reference to his fate.
What is the main function/ role of Oedipus in the play ?
The main function of Oedipus is to keep the play going, as he is the protagonist. Oedipus is a dynamic character and the mystery of the killer of Lauis is revealed by Oedipus’s will to seek truth. Seeking truth is the biggest free will that Oedipus had and he used this freedom to full use. Against advice and appeals of others, Oedipus pushes to find the truth, nothing else other than the truth. This search showed great qualities that we admire in him, courage, intelligence and perseverance. The scene with Tiresias shows that Oedipus can change behaviour so quickly. He first refers to him as “master of all miseries” but later Oedipus insults him “stone-blind, stone-deaf-senses, eyes blind as stone!” The alliteration in “master of all miseries” shows that Oedipus respects Tiresias and he is the only one that can reveal the truth. But later Oedipus insults Tiresias, this is illogical because first Oedipus asks for the truth but when he hears the truth then Oedipus becomes furious. This shows how quickly Oedipus changes within one scene. To summarise, Oedipus is the protagonist who serves to stop the plague in Thebes but finds out that he is the cause of the plague.
What do you think is Oedipus’s fatal flaw?
In my opinion, Oedipus’s fatal flaw is his ignorance to appeals and advice from others. Oedipus could have possibly escaped his fate if he would have taken time to reflect on the situation rather than taking rapid action, connecting with the theme of action vs reflection. After Jocasta realises the truth she tells Oedipus “if you love your own life, call off this search!” This appeal is ignored as Oedipus is obstinate so he is not willing to refuse to seek truth. This shows Oedipus’s determination to stop the plague and to protect his people, a quality of a honourable leader. However, if Oedipus would have considered other peoples advice, he might’ve never come to know his fate and would have escaped his disastrous future.
Symbols
Sophocles repeatedly uses the motif of the eye to convey the theme of sight vs blindness. The motif of the eye demonstrates Oedipus’s arrogance and presents him as metaphorically blind. This is seen in the scene with Tiresias just before he leaves the stage. The prophet states ‘ You with the precious eyes, you’re blind to the corruption of your life’ . Oedipus is not able to accept Tiresias’ warnings that he is to blame for the plague in Thebes.
One important symbol that Oedipus links to the most is where the three roads meet. Jocasta tells Oedipus that Lauis was killed in a place where “three roads meet”. This idea is repeated constantly throughout the whole play and it demonstrates how powerful prophecies are as Oedipus had so many different paths to take but he went to the path Lauis. This shows that Oedipus was not able to escape his fate. Life changing decisions are often taken at crossroads and this crossroads which Oedipus went on fulfilled a part of his fate and changed his life as the road led to Thebes, where he was able to become the ruler by solving the riddle of the sphinx.
Relationship with Jocasta
Jocasta is not present for most of the play. She first entered when there was conflict between Oedipus and Creon. Sophocles uses Jocasta to calm the tension between Oedipus and Creon which conveys that she cares about both the men. She asks Oedipus “Why this rage” to calm him down and to stop the argument. (Makes him reflect on action) Oedipus in return shows mutual respect, he says “I respect you Jocasta” which transparently reinforces Oedipus’s respect towards Jocasta. Oedipus also says the rhetorical question “Who means more to me than you?” to Jocasta, thus showing that Jocasta is greater than the gods for Oedipus. This shows Oedipus’s loyalty to Jocasta and therefore they have a strong relationship. However, this also shows Oedipus’s and Jocasta’s overconfidence in being able to alter the gods decisions and thinking that they could escape this fate.
Important quotes
Double doors dominate - shows Oedipus’s power
blind to misery not to pity my people kneeling at my feet - sight vs blindness
“I acted at once. I sent Creon, my wife’s own brother, to Delphi” - Oedipus is clever and a noble king
“You pray to the gods? Let me grant your prayers.” - Oedipus is overly confident
I’ll bring it all to light myself - Oedipus’s hubris, sight vs blindness, light imagery
“So I will fight for him as if he were my father,” - ironic
“Master of all the mysteries” - alliteration - only Tiresias can reveal truth
shroud it all in silence - shroud is connected to death
“Stone-blind, stone-deaf, eyes blind as stone” - illogical
“Creeping against me in the dark? Or sensing it, not defend myself?” - suggests that Creon wants to take Oedipus’s throne
“I can hold nothing back from you,…..Who means more to me than you?” - Conveys Oedipus’s and Jocasta’s relationship is very secure
“Fail to solve the mystery of my birth?” - Oedipus is doubtful and determined to solve the mystery of his birth
“Blood spurts from the roots” - shows the horror of this scene, spurt suggests that the blood was coming out from a lot of pressure
“Black hail of blood” - the black hail is all the sins that he did that are all now revealed to everyone
“The curse that wounds us all together” - metaphor shows that Oedipus and his whole family are trapped because of him, not just him
“I am Oedipus” - at the start and at the end. When he says this at the start then he is arrogant and confident. He is blinded. But at the end he is in a completely different mood. He understood and saw all prophecies.
Apollos champion (at start) - “the man deathless gods hate most of all” (at the end) - contrast
the truth is only pain to him who sees!
“the hands that struck my eyes was mine”
lost all respect for human feelings”
“none of your power follows you through life”
“if you love your own life, call off this search!”
You with the precious eyes, you’re blind to the corruption of your life’
