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Oedipus Rex

Oedipus Rex. Background. Terminology. Choragos : leader of the Chorus Chorus : a company of performers whose singing, dancing, & narration provides explanation & elaboration of the main action Prologue : opening scene Parados : entrance song of the Chorus Exodos : concluding scene.

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Oedipus Rex

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  1. Oedipus Rex Background

  2. Terminology • Choragos: leader of the Chorus • Chorus: a company of performers whose singing, dancing, & narration provides explanation & elaboration of the main action • Prologue: opening scene • Parados: entrance song of the Chorus • Exodos: concluding scene

  3. Terminology, Continued • Strophe: song sung by the Chorus as it turns from one side of the orchestra to the other • Antistrophe: song sung while the Chorus moves in the direction opposite from that of the strophe • Ode: song chanted by the Chorus that separates one scene from the next

  4. Greek Theater

  5. Characteristics of Greek Chorus • Group of approximately 15 men • Sang poetry & danced • Unpaid, drawn from public at large • Performing this role was seen as a civic duty • Were trained and costumed • Wore dresses of the people they represented & wore light masks

  6. Functions of Chorus • Link between audience & actors • Provided tension release • Reflected upon what has happened, ponder what might happen, ask questions • Advise central characters • Conscience of the people (ethical perception) • Establish mood • Separated scenes of action from one another

  7. The Sphinx • The sphinx was a monster with the head of a woman, claws of a lion, tail of a serpent, and wings of a bird. She asked a riddle: “What walks on four legs in the morning, on two at noon, and on three in the evening?” Those who could not answer the riddle were killed.

  8. Name Pronunciations • Oedipus – (ED-i-pus or EED-i-pus) • Iocaste – (Jo-CAST-a) • Creon – (KREE-on) • Teiresias – (Ti-REE-see-as) • Antigone – (An-TIG-o-nee) • Ismene – (Is-MEE-nee) • Kithairon – (Kee-the-RON) • Laius – (LI-oos) • Polybos – (POL-e-bus) • Merope – (MER-o-pee) • Choragos – (Kor-A-gos)

  9. Oedipus Strong Points • Has kingly attributes; looked like a leader • Has compassion & concern; cared for his people; wants to end the plague • Is brave; willing to do what is necessary to save his people from more suffering Weaknesses • Has no clear vision and acts upon hearing only one side of a matter because he can only see one side • Acts without thinking • Undergoes blind frenzies of pride • Is impatient, stubborn, slow to learn, and short-tempered

  10. Roles of Gods in Oedipus’ Life • Gods ordained a life of horror for Oedipus • He is the instrument by which their plans are fulfilled • In the play, there is a humbling of a great and prosperous man by the gods; a reminder to all men that they should be modest in prosperity (gods can destroy anything at any time) • Guided by supernatural powers

  11. Function of the Oracles • Share in the dramatic irony of the play • Provide the stimulus to set the hero’s own nature in motion • Point out the direction the story will take

  12. Oedipus • Oedipus believes in the power of man to: • Solve all problems • Be skeptical of the gods • To dedicate himself in a search for the truth; he was typical of the men of his century • Be Lord and Master of his universe • To have pride in his own intelligence

  13. Conflicts in Oedipus Rex • Man vs. Nature • Man vs. Man • Man vs. Himself • Man vs. God

  14. Characteristics of a Tragic Hero • Man of high birth • Man of great promise, ability, & integrity • Has a tragic flaw or weakness • Has a capacity for suffering (conscience); does not endure passively – fights back & seeks remedies • His actions involve him in choices • Dies at the end of the play; his downfall may be: tragic flaw, supernatural, fate/ill-luck, or combination • Some men are compromisers; some are ambitious; some are completely loyal; some cannot act

  15. Transgression • Transgression = a violation of law, command or duty. One who transgresses (sins) goes beyond the limits set by law, command or duty.

  16. 3 Forms of Transgressions (Sins) • Transgression against God: break a law or commandment such as selling your soul to devil, committing adultery, etc. • Transgression against man: violate the heart like betrayal of a friendship; crush a man’s spirit; rob a man of his dignity • Transgression against nature: tamper with the secrets of nature such as with chemicals making a man into a monster (Dr. Jeckyl & Mr. Hyde), etc.

  17. Transgression in Oedipus Rex • What is the nature of the transgression? • Why was the transgression committed? • What were the consequences of the transgression? • How did the character face the consequences? • What is the meaning for the character & for us?

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