"And count no man blessed in his life until he's crossed life's bounds unstruck by ruin still"(Sophocles 81)
These last lines of the text deliver for the audience the underlying moral of the story. No matter how well off, how perfect, how lucky people may have thought Oedipus was, he was truly ruined in the end. Despite his effortless and accidental place on the throne, and the lucky fact that he had seemingly escaped the prophecy, when all is said and done, he ended up worse off than anyone else. The meaning of this quote can still speak volumes, even when not used in the context of the play. It is a good rule to live by, not judging the lives of others until you see how difficult they may actually have it.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
October 18th Oedipus Rex Quote Response
"Light of my days, go dark . . I want to gaze no more" (Sophocles 67).
At the point of the play when Oedipus states this, he has come to the sudden realization of his true identity and all to exact fulfillment of his life's prophecy. Despite the fact that the audience has known throughout the majority of the play who Oedipus' real family is, and who Lauis' murderer was, it has taken Oedipus until this pivotal moment in the text. He now sees the error of his ways, if only he had listened, if only he had known, he would not be here hurting the ones he so loved. Also, this line plays off the dark versus light, blind versus seeing theme. Oedipus who was once blind to the situation at hand is now seeing exactly what it all means. However, he does not like this, so he wishes to see this no more.
At the point of the play when Oedipus states this, he has come to the sudden realization of his true identity and all to exact fulfillment of his life's prophecy. Despite the fact that the audience has known throughout the majority of the play who Oedipus' real family is, and who Lauis' murderer was, it has taken Oedipus until this pivotal moment in the text. He now sees the error of his ways, if only he had listened, if only he had known, he would not be here hurting the ones he so loved. Also, this line plays off the dark versus light, blind versus seeing theme. Oedipus who was once blind to the situation at hand is now seeing exactly what it all means. However, he does not like this, so he wishes to see this no more.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
October 14th Oedipus Rex Quote Response
"I could not covet kingship for itself when I can be king by other means" (Sophocles 33).
When Creon makes this bold statement upon being openly threatened by Oedipus, it provides the audience with a view into his true character. While Oedipus is all about being the flamboyant, famous king, the face and hero of Thebes, Creon is quite content with receiving small recognition and getting to work more behind the scenes. This also is great support for his defense in Oedipus' recent accusation that Creon is in fact Laius' murderer. Oedipus sees Creon as the most obvious choice for having bribed Tiresias, due to the fact that in his mind, it would only make sense that Creon deeply covets the crown. However, Creon dismisses this argument entirely because he goes on to explain, "I am not so simple as to seize the symbol when I can have the sweet reality: Now smiled upon by all, saluted by all ... Why should I let this go, this ease, and reach for cares?" (33) Creon is saying here that he simply would not have had the motive to either murder Laius or pin the crime on Oedipus by way of a profit. Creon is happy with his simple life. This part of the text is important because Oedipus is slowly running out of scenarios with which to elude the truth.
When Creon makes this bold statement upon being openly threatened by Oedipus, it provides the audience with a view into his true character. While Oedipus is all about being the flamboyant, famous king, the face and hero of Thebes, Creon is quite content with receiving small recognition and getting to work more behind the scenes. This also is great support for his defense in Oedipus' recent accusation that Creon is in fact Laius' murderer. Oedipus sees Creon as the most obvious choice for having bribed Tiresias, due to the fact that in his mind, it would only make sense that Creon deeply covets the crown. However, Creon dismisses this argument entirely because he goes on to explain, "I am not so simple as to seize the symbol when I can have the sweet reality: Now smiled upon by all, saluted by all ... Why should I let this go, this ease, and reach for cares?" (33) Creon is saying here that he simply would not have had the motive to either murder Laius or pin the crime on Oedipus by way of a profit. Creon is happy with his simple life. This part of the text is important because Oedipus is slowly running out of scenarios with which to elude the truth.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
October 7th Oedipus Rex Quote Response
"My designs could not be suited more : to avenge the god and Thebes in a single blow." (11)
I chose to respond to this quote because I feel that this quote is very important to the text. It provides a sort of foreshadow for events that are possibly down the road, as well as allows us to see Oedipus' strong feelings about finding Laius' murdered. Oedipus is determined to avenge the death of the former king and in a way, bring honor back to Thebes. His passionate feelings about this are however, ironic due to the fact that Oedipus is in fact the murderer. This is one of the first major displays of dramatic irony included in the text.
When Oedipus states: "My designs could not be suited more." He is discussing the way in which he is looked upon by his country men as the closest man to a god. Also, they see him as practically the savior of Thebes due to his heroic actions when he was previously pitted against the Sphinx. He must avenge Thebes because they have begun to be under the impression that Laius' murderer may have been bribed to do so. They are of the mind that a conspiracy may be a foot. This is displayed in an earlier section of the text.
This quote sets the stage for events to come by giving us insight into how strongly Oedipus feels about protecting the land he rules. Also, it shows that he will get to the bottom of the situation no matter what must be done. He even brags that he will be able to accomplish all of this "in a single blow." That segment of the quote shows Oedipus' ego, a flaw which may lead to his demise or downfall somewhere down the road. This quote is a very important one because it not only foreshadows the future for us, but also displays irony.
I chose to respond to this quote because I feel that this quote is very important to the text. It provides a sort of foreshadow for events that are possibly down the road, as well as allows us to see Oedipus' strong feelings about finding Laius' murdered. Oedipus is determined to avenge the death of the former king and in a way, bring honor back to Thebes. His passionate feelings about this are however, ironic due to the fact that Oedipus is in fact the murderer. This is one of the first major displays of dramatic irony included in the text.
When Oedipus states: "My designs could not be suited more." He is discussing the way in which he is looked upon by his country men as the closest man to a god. Also, they see him as practically the savior of Thebes due to his heroic actions when he was previously pitted against the Sphinx. He must avenge Thebes because they have begun to be under the impression that Laius' murderer may have been bribed to do so. They are of the mind that a conspiracy may be a foot. This is displayed in an earlier section of the text.
This quote sets the stage for events to come by giving us insight into how strongly Oedipus feels about protecting the land he rules. Also, it shows that he will get to the bottom of the situation no matter what must be done. He even brags that he will be able to accomplish all of this "in a single blow." That segment of the quote shows Oedipus' ego, a flaw which may lead to his demise or downfall somewhere down the road. This quote is a very important one because it not only foreshadows the future for us, but also displays irony.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)