Term Paper on "Oedipus Rex Oedipus Is the Protagonist"

Term Paper 3 pages (1042 words) Sources: 0 Style: MLA

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Oedipus Rex

Oedipus is the protagonist of Oedipus the King. He becomes king after saving the city of Thebes and solving the riddle of the Sphinx. Although he has remarkable insight in riddles and matters pertaining to his people, he remains blind to the truth about himself.

Jocasta is both Oedipus's wife and mother, as well as Creon's sister. She contributes to the tragic irony of the play by attempting to protect Oedipus from the knowledge of his true nature after discovering it herself. This is evidence of her deep love for him, as well as her desire to remain both his wife and mother.

Antigone is the daughter born from the union between Jocasta and Oedipus. She appears only at the end of the play, where she says goodbye to her father before his banishment.

Creon is Oedipus's brother-in-law. He is a very prominent figure in the play and serves as the king's antagonist. He claims not to have any desire for the kingship, but nonetheless does not hesitate to take the opportunity to become king when Oedipus can no longer fill the role.

Polynices is the son resulting from the union between Oedipus and his mother. He does not play a very big role in Oedipus the King.

Teresias is a very important character in the play, as he represents the hidden truth that Oedipus at first refuses to see. Teresias is a blind soothsayer. His blindness is symbolic of the truth that Oedipus deliberately hides from himself.

The chorus serves the purpose of reacting to and commenting on the events in the play. As such, the chorus can also suggest to the audience how events and speeches sh
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ould be interpreted.

2. Unlike modern plays and films, where vast technical resources are available for scene changes, the Greek tragedy generally does not involve physical setting changes. Instead, the imagination of the audience is used to envision the action taking place in other settings than the one depicted. A messenger for example would provide the audience with a vivid description of the action taking place offstage. This is also one of the interesting features of Oedipus the King. The physical setting of the play is the facade of the palace. The most significant action of the play, where Oedipus blinds himself, takes place offstage, as does Jocasta's suicide (line 1480-1530). In addition to practical considerations, this removal of the most dramatic and shocking scenes from direct exposure to the audience also contributes to the aura of horror surrounding the play. The audience is confronted with an eyeless Oedipus, and only in their imaginations can the audience members fathom the horror of how he blinded himself.

3. The most significant symbols in the play relate to sight and blindness, which represent truth and lies, or hidden truth. In the beginning, Oedipus can see. His physical eyes work, but ironically he is not mentally aware of the real truth behind his status as king. At the end, the destruction of his physical eyes symbolizes the horror of the truth that he must be aware of even if he is physically blind. The… READ MORE

Quoted Instructions for "Oedipus Rex Oedipus Is the Protagonist" Assignment:

In the book "OEDIPUS REX" by Sophocles, provide specific examples, details, and quotations with appropriate MLA style parenthetical documentation for each of the following six sections.

1. Characters: List the characters ( major and minor ). For each write 2-3 sentences about each character. Include major personality traits, interesting facts, and defining incidents. Provide evidence to support your characterization.

2. Setting: Explain how the setting contributes to the mood and atmospheres as well as the meaning of the novel as a whole.

3. Symbols: Find and provide examples of the significant symbols and explain how they contribute to the meaning of the novel.

4. Rhetorical Strategies: Explain how rhetorical strategies contribute not only to the mood and attitude of the work, but also to the meaning of the novel as a whole. Consider syntax, diction, and any other devices pertinent to the novel.

5. Style: Explain how the author's style contributes not only to the mood and attitude of the work, but to the meaning of the novel as a whole. (Suggestion: There are vast and diverse aspects of style [ such as irony, point of view, imagery, etc.], so do research on the author.

6. Themes and Motifs: Define theme and motif, and then determine a minimum of four examples of these that contribute to the meaning of the novel as a whole.

This assignment is done on the book, Oedipus Rex by Sophocles! But this assignment should demonstrate what you should have learned from reading "How to Read Literature Like a Professor" by Foster, which basically shows how to analyze literature (If you have read this book). Don't talk about Foster's book just dissect Oedipus Rex like Foster shows how to in his book. ( if you have read his book)..

Thank you.

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