Name:_________________ English 2201



Name: _________________ English 2201

Oedipus the King by Sophocles

Areas of concentration:

1. Who was Sophocles? What seems to be Sophocles philosophy towards tragedy itself?

2. Hierarchy of Greek gods & the mythological connection to this Theban play.

3. Theban Legend & Family Tree

4. Background to Greek Theater

• Characteristics of Classical Greek Tragedy: Prologue, Parodos/ Chorus, Episodes, Odes, and Exodus

5. Important literary devices- know definitions: irony, situational irony, verbal irony, dramatic irony, hubris, catharsis, pathos, moira, foil, prologue, parodos, episode, odes, exodus, and archetype.

6. Aristotle’s definition of tragedy and characteristics of a tragic hero: comparison of Oedipus to Aristotle’s definition of a Greek Tragic Hero.

7. Evolution of Oedipus’ character

• forces of change,

• contrast to Creon

8. Setting, mood, and atmosphere

9. Imagery: sight versus blindness / insight

10. Minor characters: Foil and contrast

Character analysis chart

Key players: Role of Jocasta, Creon and Teiresias

11. Conflict and Complication

12. Themes: Fate and destiny: The fate and destiny of the individual lies in the hands and will of the divine gods

Knowledge is only gained through suffering

Suffering is necessary if wisdom and self-knowledge are to be attained and the gods to be appeased.

Truth is desirable over illusion for the achievement of self-realization, self- knowledge and wisdom

To know thyself is to know truth.

Wisdom and love of the gods are the only means to happiness (Antigone)

13. Irony

14. Questions & Quotes

15. Objective Test

16. Cooperative Learning:

A. Aristotle’s definition of tragedy and characteristics of a tragic hero: comparison of Oedipus to Aristotle’s definition of tragedy and B. Oedipus as Archetype

Questions:

The following questions are designed to guide you through the play. All of these questions will be discussed and answered in class. It is important for you to note in your exercise book references made to the play from your text book (textbooks are not to be marked). In answering questions note how they are important to key literary elements such as: conflict, irony, character, and theme, etc. Some students may find it is beneficial to answer all questions in a jot- note fashion for use as a review guide for January and June exams. Any student who chooses to show me his/her notes, upon completion of the play, will be given a mark equivalent to a mini-assignment. This is an optional assignment and your choice. Please note: Questions assigned for homework are not optional.

Prologue: The purpose of the prologue was to explain events that took place before the action of the play. It is a scene which usually introduces the conflict of the play. Sophocles reveals this information through dialogue (his contemporaries often used monologues).

1. What information does the priest, on the behalf of gather supplicants, give to Oedipus?

2. In the prologue list five qualities revealed to the audience about Oedipus as a king. Do you think his tragic flaw (hubris) is evident in the prologue? Why or why not?

3. What ironies are introduced in the prologue? Put aside a page in your notebook for irony and note them as we read the play.

4. What news does Creon bring from Delphi?

Parodos: The Parodos follows the Prologue and marked the entrance of the Chorus. The Chorus is responsible for introducing themselves, exposing central drama and establishing the right mood. The chorus is a participating character in Sophocles’ plays. The group often interacts with principal characters, engaging in dialogue. The choragus, or chorus leader, often speaks for the entire chorus in the moments. They usually fulfil four functions in Greek Tragedy:

1. To provide a passage in TIME

2. To express PUBLIC OPINION

3. EXPOSITION- to explain the action or fill in information

4. To establish the MOOD and comment on the significance of the ACTION.

5. What is the mood of the chorus upon its entrance? What appeals do they make?

Scene 1:

6. In what ways does Oedipus scold his subjects?

7. Find an example of rashness and anger on the part of Oedipus- what does this indicate in terms of his character as a king and man

8. Who is Teiresias and how does he show a pessimistic and fatalistic attitude?

9. Go back to you Irony Note Page and list ironies of scene 1.

10. Conflict: Discuss the conflict that arises between Oedipus and Teiresias. Identify it, explain how it arose, its resolution and its importance to the development of the plot. What role does Oedipus’ rashness play in this situation?

11. What role does the chorus leader play in the quarrel?

Journal: Do you think this quarrel could have been avoided? Was it fate that caused it to occur?

Ode 1: The episode, anywhere from three to six, develops the main action. The episodes are separated by the odes - choral songs or stasima. The odes supply exposition, comment on the action, and contribute to thematic development. They can also suggest a passage of time. Remember: the odes are sung by the chorus so note the previous information concerning the four functions of the chorus.

12. List the issues discussed in first ode.

Scene II.

13. Conflict: Discuss the conflict between Creon and Oedipus. Identify the conflict, explain how it arose, its resolution and its importance to the development of the plot. What role does Creon’s logical counter argument play in this situation?

14. Contrast: Contrast Oedipus’s and Creon’s approach to kingship/political power. What questions does Sophocles raise by using this contrast?

15. What decision does the chorus leader persuade Oedipus to make about Creon?

16. How does Jocasta try to refute Teiresias’ allegation?

17. How does her attempt to soothe Oedipus backfire?

18. What does Oedipus reveal about his own past to Jocasta?

19. Sophocles is a master of exposition, and the speeches of Jocasta and Oedipus (concerning their respective pasts) are excellent example of his craft. Show how this statement is true.

20. What does Oedipus request to have brought to him at the end off Scene II? Why does he issue this order?

21. Journal: Can humans comprehend the will or purposes of the gods?

Does fate rule the lives of humans?

Ode II:

22. Of what does Ode II warn against? Why is the oracle of Delphi important? How does one attain revelation?

Scene III:

23. What is the dramatic effect of Jocasta’s prayer at the beginning of Scene III? (Contrast)

24. What ironies underline the messenger’s appearance? Add to irony page.

25. What comment does Jocasta make to the chorus and the messenger about fate?

26. What does the name Oedipus mean?

27. Explain how Oedipus’s character is further developed in Scene III.

28. Why does Jocasta attempt to keep Oedipus from questioning the shepherd? How does Oedipus misconstrue her pleas to stop his investigation?

29. What is implied about self-knowledge and its price in Oedipus the King?

Ode III:

30. How does this ode show that the chorus views their king (as King Oedipus view himself) as a child of luck and good fortune?

Scene IV:

31. Why is the shepherd reluctant to speak?

32. What facts does the shepherd bring to light? How is Jocasta’s reaction an example of dramatic irony?

33. What admirable character trait is revealed about Oedipus in this scene where he discovers the truth about himself? Would you consider Oedipus heroic here? Why or why not?

**34. How does Sophocles create a feeling of climatic action in Scenes IV?

Ode IV:

35. How does the chorus react in the fourth choral ode to Oedipus’ turn of fortune?

36. How does the chorus expand on the theme of illusion and reality?

Exodus:

37. Why do the play’s most violent acts occur off stage?

38. What does Oedipus reaction to his downfall say about his courage?

39. What does Oedipus ask of Creon?

40. What does Oedipus sense about his destiny?

41. What image of Creon is left by his final word to Oedipus?

Group Discussion: If fate and destiny determines everything an individual will do before they are born, as Oedipus the King suggests, then of what crime is Oedipus guilty? If you believe in fate can you believe in free will?

Definition of a Tragic Hero: A tragic hero is someone of high or noble birth, virtuous but not preeminently just, who through some flaw (hubris), precipitates his/her own destruction and therefore gains knowledge through suffering.

Tragic Figure:

1. Noble birth or high position ......................... has something to lose

2. Virtuous or essentially good..........................motivation is unselfish/ good for the state

3. Tragic flaw or weakness .............................. hubris->stubborn/excessive pride

4. Individual learns lesson through suffering..... learns and admits he/she is wrong->self-knowledge and accepts responsibility and lives with guilt of actions.

[pic]

Discussion Questions:

1. Why does Sophocles choose to begin his play at such a late time in Oedipus’ life?

2. How does Sophocles use the sense of sight to create dramatic irony and tension? Note blindness in terms of literal and figurative meanings in relation to characters.

3. Do you think Sophocles suggests that suffering is necessary to achieve self- realization or self- knowledge?

4. In Greek literature what does the mountain climb symbolize?

5. How does the careful organization of entrances and exits contribute to the structure of the play.

6. How does the early appearance of Teiresias contribute to the drama?

7. A) Explain how Oedipus’ identity is a major issue of the play?

B) Discuss: The story of Oedipus the King is all about Oedipus and his quest for truth. This singularity of dramatic purpose makes the impact of Oedipus discovery all the more important.

8. How is this play unified in tone?

9. How do the unity and structure of this play contribute to the plays themes?

10. Compare Jocasta’s final actions in the play to those of Oedipus.

11. Is Oedipus responsible for his own fate? What is his ultimate fate?

12. Do you think Sophocles suggests that suffering is necessary to achieve self- realization or self- knowledge?

13. How is Oedipus the King a classical Greek tragedy?

14. How is Oedipus a model tragic hero?

Questions for essays: Dramatic irony, character, theme, tragic hero, fate and destiny, etc.

1. Applying Aristotle’s definition of a tragedy hero illustrate the role fate and destiny played in the development of Oedipus as a model tragic figure.

2. In a well-developed essay show how Sophocles uses dramatic irony to develop the theme.

3. In a well-developed essay show how Sophocles uses dramatic irony to develop the sight imagery.

4. The story of Oedipus the King is about Oedipus and his quest for truth. This singularity of dramatic purpose makes the impact of Oedipus’ discovery all the more important. Show how the characteristics of a Greek tragedy make the above statement true.

5. In a well-developed essay show how Sophocles uses sight imagery to develop dramatic irony, theme and external conflict.

6. Discuss with specific reference to Oedipus the King how the functions of the chorus bring out the tone, the theme, and the chronological development of the play.

7. In literature, main characters dominate the action of the work and have well rounded, developed personalities. However minor characters (foil) often serve to illustrate this development. Explain the above statement in terms of the play.

8. Oedipus the King gives the reader insight into the how fifth century Greece felt above a) the tragic hero b) mortals versus gods and c) fate and destiny. In a well developed essay discuss this statement with specific references to the play.

9. Explain the function and development of the following Greek Tragedy literary devices: hubris, pathos, catharsis and moira with specific reference to one of the Theban plays you have studied.

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