Throughout the course of the play my view on Oedipus has changed as I found myself continuously losing respect for him as a king and person as discovering the truth of his origin became his only priority instead of helping the people of Thebes, his kingdom. At the beginning of the play, he came across as a concerned but caring king who only sought to help his people as they and the city of Thebes slowly began to crumble to the ground because of the plague. He made several remarks to the public, such as, "I grieve for these, my people, far more than I fear for my own life" (105-106). He is claiming that the lives of his people are far important than his own at this point because they need help to end this plague and he needs to step up as a king in order to do help them. This along with many other quotes show the concerned side of Oedipus as a king that truly does care about his city. As the play progressed, I began to see Oedipus' priorities change as he became a lot more concerned about his own origin and life. This brought out the self centered side of Oedipus as his own quest to prove his innocence suddenly exceeded the importance of saving his entire kingdom.
One theme that became more clear to me after reading the entire play was the theme of leadership. I've always had a strong understanding of leadership and what a strong and weak leader look like, but after reading Oedipus the King I understand that a leader isn't necessarily one or the other, but all leaders have times of strength, as well as weakness. Although I don't agree with Oedipus and his actions towards the end of the play, I don't believe that just because a leader is one who is supposed to support their people and live up to their responsibilities that they cannot have moments of weakness. Leaders are people just as we all are and they all have their weaknesses and moments where leadership doesn't always shine through strongly. Although, as moments of weakness arise in every person, as a leader, one should be able to put their own issues aside to deal with their duties and what has been placed on their plate; in Oedipus' case, the people of Thebes and the plague that is destroying his city. At the end of the play, Oedipus really proved to me that he was incapable of putting his own worries aside as he made them his only priority. He made a promise to his kingdom, although he didn't live up to it because his own problems became his only focus which I find to be a trait of an incompetent leader.
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Quote #1
"Rule our land, you know you have the power,
but rule a land of the living, not a wasteland" (66-67).
Analysis: This quote is from a Theban man speaking to Oedipus on behalf of the people of Thebes. They are all unwell and coming to speak to Oedipus in hopes that he can turn everything around for the better, as their king. They have a lot of faith in him as a king as they say "you know you have the power"because they know what he is capable of. They know he is capable of ruling Thebes and stopping the plague and they know that he knows it as well. Everyone knows that Oedipus will be the king no matter what, but better to have him be a king of a strong and powerful kingdom than a Thebes in it's current state; a city that is slowly crumbling to the ground. The word "wasteland" implies that Thebes is in a very neglected and unattractive state because it isn't receiving the attention from it's king; a king that has the the trust from his people and the potential to turn everything around.
Readers Response:
Dear Oedipus,
I have been following your story for quite a while now and paying close attention to your actions. It seems to me that you have really been letting down your kingdom recently; the city in which everyone depends on you. Thebes has been hit by a horrible plague and as king I believe you should do everything in your power to ensure good health and safety for your people. It seems to me that there is a strong trust between the Theban people and yourself which I admire you for as a king. They believe in you and know you have the power and I know you believe that too, I just think you need to realize that and help your city to reassure them that you care.
Sincerely, Claudia
but rule a land of the living, not a wasteland" (66-67).
Analysis: This quote is from a Theban man speaking to Oedipus on behalf of the people of Thebes. They are all unwell and coming to speak to Oedipus in hopes that he can turn everything around for the better, as their king. They have a lot of faith in him as a king as they say "you know you have the power"because they know what he is capable of. They know he is capable of ruling Thebes and stopping the plague and they know that he knows it as well. Everyone knows that Oedipus will be the king no matter what, but better to have him be a king of a strong and powerful kingdom than a Thebes in it's current state; a city that is slowly crumbling to the ground. The word "wasteland" implies that Thebes is in a very neglected and unattractive state because it isn't receiving the attention from it's king; a king that has the the trust from his people and the potential to turn everything around.
Readers Response:
Dear Oedipus,
I have been following your story for quite a while now and paying close attention to your actions. It seems to me that you have really been letting down your kingdom recently; the city in which everyone depends on you. Thebes has been hit by a horrible plague and as king I believe you should do everything in your power to ensure good health and safety for your people. It seems to me that there is a strong trust between the Theban people and yourself which I admire you for as a king. They believe in you and know you have the power and I know you believe that too, I just think you need to realize that and help your city to reassure them that you care.
Sincerely, Claudia
Sophocles. Oedipus the King. The Three Theban Plays. Trans. Robert Fagles. New York: Penguin Classics, 1984. Print.
Quote #2
"Well I know
you are sick to death, all of you,
but sick as you are, not one is sick as I... But my spirit
grieves for the city, for myself and all of you" (71-76).
you are sick to death, all of you,
but sick as you are, not one is sick as I... But my spirit
grieves for the city, for myself and all of you" (71-76).
Analysis: This quote brings forth the honest side of Oedipus. As king, he admits that he is aware of his lack of effort to help the city of Thebes get through this plague. He knows that everyone is suck, but he himself is mentally sick because the city has not received the proper care from him. For Oedipus to grieve for not only the city and his people, but also for himself, shows that although he isn't sure what to do, his greatest desire is to find a way to help. He knows he needs to find a way to stop the plague to the point where it's affecting him as much as the plague is affecting the Theban people.
Readers Response:
Our dear king;
help us now, we need it more than ever
we come to you, in our darkest hour,
seeking help from our king, beloved Oedipus
what holds you back but yourself?
don't show weakness now,
we know your strength,
we admire your strength,
let it shine through,
you have the answers.
Our dear king;
help us now, we need it more than ever
we come to you, in our darkest hour,
seeking help from our king, beloved Oedipus
what holds you back but yourself?
don't show weakness now,
we know your strength,
we admire your strength,
let it shine through,
you have the answers.
Sophocles. Oedipus the King. The Three Theban Plays. Trans. Robert Fagles. New York: Penguin Classics, 1984. Print.
Quote #3
"He rips off her brooches, the long pins
holding her robes- and lifting them high,
looking straight up into the points,
he digs them down the sockets of his eyes..." (1402-1405).
Analysis: Oedipus bursts through the bedroom doors after discovering the haunting truth about his origin. He proceeds to stab his eyes with the brooches from Jocasta's robe, blinding himself because he cannot bare to see the world now that he knows the truth about himself. There couldn't possible be anything worse for Oedipus than knowing that the prophecy he feared, happened. The use of the word "rips" provides us with some imagery. It allows us to see him ripping the pins off without any hesitation. He lacked any kind of fear as he was "looking straight up into the points". Looking away would imply that there is fear present within him. His deep anger is evident as he "digs" them into his eyes; not softly, but hard and deep. The only emotions Oedipus feels at this point is disappointment and anger because his actions in this moment are careless and he is aware that this discovery has ultimately ruined his life and he can no longer bare to see the world because his eyes have witnessed it all.
Readers Response: This quote is so visual and disturbing because despite how bad something may turn out in ones life, I could never really imagine someone having to resort to stabbing their eyes. I think that thought, for me at least, is what makes Oedipus blinding himself even more shocking. It really makes me realize how important it was for Oedipus to discover the truth, and now that he has, it's so upsetting that it has basically ruined his life. He was aware of the prophecy and he was so afraid of it that he tried to avoid it but completely unaware of anything, he was walking straight into it.
holding her robes- and lifting them high,
looking straight up into the points,
he digs them down the sockets of his eyes..." (1402-1405).
Analysis: Oedipus bursts through the bedroom doors after discovering the haunting truth about his origin. He proceeds to stab his eyes with the brooches from Jocasta's robe, blinding himself because he cannot bare to see the world now that he knows the truth about himself. There couldn't possible be anything worse for Oedipus than knowing that the prophecy he feared, happened. The use of the word "rips" provides us with some imagery. It allows us to see him ripping the pins off without any hesitation. He lacked any kind of fear as he was "looking straight up into the points". Looking away would imply that there is fear present within him. His deep anger is evident as he "digs" them into his eyes; not softly, but hard and deep. The only emotions Oedipus feels at this point is disappointment and anger because his actions in this moment are careless and he is aware that this discovery has ultimately ruined his life and he can no longer bare to see the world because his eyes have witnessed it all.
Readers Response: This quote is so visual and disturbing because despite how bad something may turn out in ones life, I could never really imagine someone having to resort to stabbing their eyes. I think that thought, for me at least, is what makes Oedipus blinding himself even more shocking. It really makes me realize how important it was for Oedipus to discover the truth, and now that he has, it's so upsetting that it has basically ruined his life. He was aware of the prophecy and he was so afraid of it that he tried to avoid it but completely unaware of anything, he was walking straight into it.
Sophocles. Oedipus the King. The Three Theban Plays. Trans. Robert Fagles. New York: Penguin Classics, 1984. Print.
Quote #4
"Never bring them down to the level of my pains.
Pity them. Look at them, so young, so vulnerable,
shorn of everything- you're their only hope.
Promise me noble Creon, touch my hand!" (1651-1654).
Analysis: Oedipus is getting his daughters taken away, which at this point, considering what he has left, is the worst thing that could happen to him. He has lost everything- both of his parents, and now all he has left is being taken away from him. He is asking Creon to take care of them for him and demanding that they never face through a pain equivalent to what he has just been through. They are so young and so naive and they have a long life ahead of them and in they have yet to learn valuable life lessons and to have everything taken away at such a young age is much too early for something so painful to happen to them. Because they are "so vulnerable" they have so much to learn and a long life ahead to experience things that may not always be good. Oedipus won't be able to be there to help guide them through life but he is putting his trust and faith into the hands of Creon, which is all they have at this point. Oedipus can't see so he reaches for Creon's hand to reassure him that Creon can be trusted with something as important as his daughters.
Readers Response: The drawing I made represents what I feel Oedipus is going through. There is so much agony and having his daughters taken away is almost too much for him to deal with at this point. His eyes are bleeding because of what he has done to them because of the pain he feels after learning what he has done, but he is also crying because of the pain he feels from everything that has happened, now also having his daughters taken away from him.
Pity them. Look at them, so young, so vulnerable,
shorn of everything- you're their only hope.
Promise me noble Creon, touch my hand!" (1651-1654).
Analysis: Oedipus is getting his daughters taken away, which at this point, considering what he has left, is the worst thing that could happen to him. He has lost everything- both of his parents, and now all he has left is being taken away from him. He is asking Creon to take care of them for him and demanding that they never face through a pain equivalent to what he has just been through. They are so young and so naive and they have a long life ahead of them and in they have yet to learn valuable life lessons and to have everything taken away at such a young age is much too early for something so painful to happen to them. Because they are "so vulnerable" they have so much to learn and a long life ahead to experience things that may not always be good. Oedipus won't be able to be there to help guide them through life but he is putting his trust and faith into the hands of Creon, which is all they have at this point. Oedipus can't see so he reaches for Creon's hand to reassure him that Creon can be trusted with something as important as his daughters.
Readers Response: The drawing I made represents what I feel Oedipus is going through. There is so much agony and having his daughters taken away is almost too much for him to deal with at this point. His eyes are bleeding because of what he has done to them because of the pain he feels after learning what he has done, but he is also crying because of the pain he feels from everything that has happened, now also having his daughters taken away from him.
Sophocles. Oedipus the King. The Three Theban Plays. Trans. Robert Fagles. New York: Penguin Classics, 1984. Print.
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