Oedipus Rex
In the play Oedipus Rex the play seems to me to be put together like a timeline. One event leads to another and another. In the play Oedipus’ reactions to events carry the story. For example, if he does not listen to the initial prophecy of him killing his father and sleeping with his mother, none of this tragedy ever occurs. He would just remain with his adopted parents and never even meet his real parents, much less kill and sleep with them. Once again, if he does not want to find out more information about his father’s killing and his (Oedipus) background, things could go on as normal. His mother would not hang herself and his eyes would not be gouged out by himself because they would not know he fulfilled the prophecy.
This play obviously has fate involved, but all this fate is a result of poor choices and over analyzing. The consequences seem so harsh because of the choices made, there almost seems to be no alternative other than these consequences.
A clear beginning, middle, and end in the reading of the play can be seen because there are three different scenes that are marked clearly. It also appears that the characters all leave the stage before a scene change. Whether they leave the area/play completely or go to the palace, the stage appears to be cleared which signifies a scene change.
posted by Kyle @ 10:54 AM
4 Comments:
You're right about how the play is told, like a timeline. I actually like it like that. I think that this was the least confusing of the plays we've read this semester - but that may be because I've read it before.
Yeah it does seem to be written like a time line. It is funny to think about fate and how what a person does could determine what happens next in their life.
I agree that the story seems to be driven forward by Oedipus and his reactions to events in the story. It is like he is the one that pushes the play to such a disasterous end. However, one must wonder, is it really Oedipus' fault? Maybe it wasn't Oedipus that drove the plot forward. After all, if he really was destined to fulfill the prophecy, then perhaps the play ended exactly as it should have.
I like the description you give about Oedipus Rex the play being like a timeline. Then you immediately follow your description with support, which is that one event has a reaction which causes the next event. I like your assumption that if Oedipus does not listen to the prophecy then he will not end up fulfilling it. How can you be so sure? He could stay with his adopted parents and then kill an enemy who might just happen to be his father, and then sleep with a women who might just happen to be his mom. Since Oedipus doesn’t realize that his parents are not his biological parents, then what is stopping him from killing or sleeping with a random person that might end up being his mom or dad.
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