Recognition In Oedipus The King

Words: 439

Pages: 2

Open Document

All the clues lead to the reversal of Oedipus, which is him repenting from ignoring the signs that are taken over by his own dogmatism. However, there are a few occurrences that leads to his recognition. For example there is the signs that are given to him by Tiresias and Creon and Loxias as he states, “Why, Loxias declared that I should one day marry my own mother, and with my own hands shed my father’s blood. . .” (36). This becomes ingrained onto the back of his head and the idea that he might go through such troubles since he does believe it enough that he moves away from Corinth -- where he thought his parents lived, which is one of the first realizations that then leads up to his reversal. Then the revelations continue as a messenger …show more content…
The quote also prepares the reader, in a way, to prepare for what is to come -- the first heavy hit. Upon the story of the old man to settle the doubts of Oedipus’ history and the revelation of the truth, Oedipus then has his moment of recognition; “ Woe! Woe! It is plain, indeed! O Light, This be the last time I shall gaze on thee, Who am revealed to have been born of those of whom I ought not -- to have wedded whom I ought not -- and slain whom I might not slay!” (page 42). Moment of recognition in part by Oedipus is revealed; he conveys that he recognizes but at the same time also regrets lots of those things like: not knowing his real parents, marrying his mother, and killing his father. Through this ordeal the moral order does become less rigid by the fact that Oedipus the ruler is vulnerable, and his ego and his power as king are also in limbo, which leads to physical and detrimental bad happenings. However, I don't think it is adequate for restoring moral order, as a matter a fact I think that it was a bit too much; I mean his whole life was turned inside out in a matter of minutes. In that sense, I think it does create a great example, but to a great extent; the law is restored, I assume, but justice being served is

Tragedy In King Oedipus And The Help By Sophocles And Stockett

Tran 1 Amanda Tran Professor S. Sharma ENG 4U 3/27/2015 Elements of A Tragedy in King Oedipus and The Help by Sophocles and Stockett: The Art in A Tragedy “Tragedy is the imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude, in language embellished with each kind of artistic ornament, the several kinds being found in separate parts of the play. Through pity and fear effecting the proper purgation of these emotions” (Aristotle, trans. 1974, VI)…

Words 4009 - Pages 17

Oedipus Complex Essay

The brilliant Sigmund Freud, pioneer in Psychoanalysis, discovered a theory about human behavior through self-evaluation. Comparing his findings to “Oedipus the King” play by Sophocles, naming his theories after this play, the Oedipus Complex. Freud develops his masterful theory on the basis of his own life, thoroughly analyzing all events and stages that lead to what cause one to behave a certain way. Through Psychoanalysis Freud developed this theory, “ a system of psychological theory and therapy…

Words 842 - Pages 4

Irony in Oedipus the King Essay

THE TRAGEDY OF OEDIPUS Tragedy, in English, is a word used to indicate other words such as misfortune, calamity, disaster and many more such words. However, this word has another dramatic meaning, not far from its original meaning in English. In Western theatre it is a genre that presents a heroic or moral struggle of an individual that leads to his or her ultimate defeat or misfortune. When the audience and reader share the playwright's particular social perception and social values they easily…

Words 2277 - Pages 10

Oedipus and Hamlet Essay

Professor Mihailovic 5-14-01 Though Shakespeares' Hamlet and Sophocles' Oedipus the King were written in two different eras, echoes of the latter can be found in the former. The common theme of Hamlet and Oedipus the King is regicide. Also, like in Oedipus the King, there is a direct relationship between the state of the state and the state of their kings. Furthermore, there is also a relationship between Oedipus' armed entrance into the bedroom in which Jocasta hanged herself, and Hamlet's…

Words 1426 - Pages 6

Essay on Oedipus and Tragic Hero

revealed that Oedipus is a member of the ruling/higher class, which fulfills one of the characteristics of a tragic hero. However, the truth behind his birth destroys him. In the scene where the Old Man is brought before Oedipus for questioning, the truth is uncovered. Long ago when Oedipus was only a child, he was sent away from his home to the Old Man because of a prophecy that Oedipus would one day kill his father and marry his mother. During the questioning, the Old Man is unaware that Oedipus is the…

Words 1723 - Pages 7

The power to change feelings Essay

and seriousness” (Handbook 505). Sophocles’ play Oedipus Rex serves as the best example of this genre with its defining components aimed to arouse both pity and fear in the audience. According to Aristotle, “. . . [P]lot is the soul of a tragedy. Such a plot must involve a protagonist who is…

Words 3616 - Pages 15

Essay more pressure

Spectacle, Melody.” (translation by S. H. Butcher; click on the context links to consult the full online text) The treatise we call the Poetics was composed at least 50 years after the death of Sophocles. Aristotle was a great admirer of Sophocles’ Oedipus the King, considering it the perfect tragedy, and not surprisingly, his analysis fits that play most perfectly. I shall therefore use this play to illustrate the following major parts of Aristotle's analysis of tragedy as a literary genre. Tragedy…

Words 3645 - Pages 15

Creon Antigone Analysis

once said, “It is better to be without a king, than to have a bad one.” In the traditional play Antigone written by Sophocles in 442 B.C.E., it can be argued whether or not the city of Thebes is better off without Creon as a ruler. In the play, Creon has proven himself to be a strict and conceded ruler, taking no opinion but his own. Many of his loyal subjects are frightened by him and prefer not to endure his company. The Sentry, too afraid to tell the King the news of the burial of Polyneices, even…

Words 1049 - Pages 5

Essay about Death of a Salesman

tragedy. It needs a character of nobility, this character must recognize the fatal flaw in the climax of the play, high language and the ability to evoke pity and fear from the audience and then soothe it” (Sleight). Throughout Death of a Salesman, recognition of the flaw in the American Dream is what truly makes this play a tragedy. Following the rules and guidelines laid out by Aristotle, it is said that actions preformed by the character will either achieve or fail (at) happiness (Poetics 11).…

Words 1095 - Pages 5