SophoclesSophoclesandand

Oedipus the KingOedipus the King

Sophocles ca. 496—406 BCESophocles ca. 496—406 BCE

Time period: Time period: -----Athens far advanced in power and prosperity;-----Athens far advanced in power and prosperity;-----The league of free cities had became an-----The league of free cities had became an empire, in which Athens taxed and coerced theempire, in which Athens taxed and coerced the subject cities.subject cities.-----Died 2 years before Athens surrendered to Sparta-----Died 2 years before Athens surrendered to Sparta

Playing prominent part in the city’s affairs: treasurers, Playing prominent part in the city’s affairs: treasurers, general; member of special committee general; member of special committee

Sophocles’s Career as DramatistSophocles’s Career as Dramatist

468: won first prize at the Dionysia, compe468: won first prize at the Dionysia, competing against Aeschylusting against Aeschylus

Produced more than 120 plays over the neProduced more than 120 plays over the next 62 yearsxt 62 years

Won first prize no fewer than 24 timesWon first prize no fewer than 24 times When he was not first, he came in second, When he was not first, he came in second,

never third.never third.

AchievementsAchievements

The Creator of the third actor to the Greek The Creator of the third actor to the Greek dramadrama

The use of the third actor to create compleThe use of the third actor to create complex triangular scenes x triangular scenes

-----(Oedipus vs. messenger vs. a listening-----(Oedipus vs. messenger vs. a listening Jocasta)Jocasta)-----In comparison to Aeschylus: Agamemno-----In comparison to Aeschylus: Agamemno

n vs. Clytemnestra vs. Cassandra (less drn vs. Clytemnestra vs. Cassandra (less dramatic tension)amatic tension)

Historical BackgroundHistorical Background

Oedipus was probably staged during the Oedipus was probably staged during the early years of the Peloponnesian War early years of the Peloponnesian War

(431-404 B.C.E.)(431-404 B.C.E.)

Most of the plays date from the last half of Most of the plays date from the last half of the fifth century B.C.E.; the fifth century B.C.E.; they were written they were written in and for an Athens that had undergone in and for an Athens that had undergone an intellectual revolutionan intellectual revolution. .

Historical BackgroundHistorical Background

It was in a time of critical It was in a time of critical re-evaluation of are-evaluation of accepted standards and traditionccepted standards and tradition that Soph that Sophocles produced his masterpiece, ocles produced his masterpiece, Oedipus tOedipus the Kinghe King, and the problems of the time are r, and the problems of the time are reflected in the play. eflected in the play.

Question for DiscussionQuestion for Discussion

What kind of suitor will win your heart?What kind of suitor will win your heart?

-----practical, down-to-the earth, engaged in-----practical, down-to-the earth, engaged in

saving money for the futuresaving money for the future

-----romantic, generous, engaged in creating-----romantic, generous, engaged in creating

love scenes love scenes What type of husband would you like to What type of husband would you like to

marry?marry?

Question for DiscussionQuestion for Discussion

Do you take interest in fortune telling? Do you take interest in fortune telling? What might be people’s motives in so What might be people’s motives in so doing or not so doing?doing or not so doing?

If you are the mother of a wanted criminal, If you are the mother of a wanted criminal, will you notify the police of the criminal’s will you notify the police of the criminal’s whereabouts? Should the mother be whereabouts? Should the mother be considered violating the law or even the considered violating the law or even the accomplice if she fails to do so? accomplice if she fails to do so?

After ReadingAfter Reading

The Power of the PlayThe Power of the Play

Authority of history: Authority of history: ---The history of ages that leaves no---The history of ages that leaves no records is myth.records is myth. Authority of religion: the relation between Authority of religion: the relation between

humanity and godshumanity and gods---Man should not try to or think he can exceed---Man should not try to or think he can exceed gods in power.gods in power. The power to arouse the irrational hopes and The power to arouse the irrational hopes and

fears that lie deep and secret in the human fears that lie deep and secret in the human conscious (incest desire).conscious (incest desire).

Dramatic Ironies in the Revelation Dramatic Ironies in the Revelation of Truthof Truth

Jocasta tells King Laius’s death at where tJocasta tells King Laius’s death at where three roads intersect rather than at his son’hree roads intersect rather than at his son’s hand. The information is meant for relievis hand. The information is meant for relieving Oedipus of his anger about Tiresias’s png Oedipus of his anger about Tiresias’s prophecy. This, however, causes Oedipus’rophecy. This, however, causes Oedipus’s suspicion of himself as the murderer.s suspicion of himself as the murderer.

Dramatic Ironies in the Revelation Dramatic Ironies in the Revelation of Truthof Truth

The messenger from Corinth tells Oedipus The messenger from Corinth tells Oedipus he is not the son of Polybus. The informatihe is not the son of Polybus. The information is meant for relieving Oedipus of his feaon is meant for relieving Oedipus of his fear of Apollo’s prophecy. This, however, furthr of Apollo’s prophecy. This, however, further discloses the truth of Oedipus’s birth. er discloses the truth of Oedipus’s birth.

The Contemporary SignificanceThe Contemporary Significance

Oedipus as a typical fifth-century AthenianOedipus as a typical fifth-century Athenian

Containing all their virtues and vices as Containing all their virtues and vices as wellwell

The characteristics of the The characteristics of the AtheniansAthenians

The words by the Corinthian spokesman The words by the Corinthian spokesman at Sparta:at Sparta:

---“Athenians . . .are equally quick in the ---“Athenians . . .are equally quick in the conception and in the execution of every conception and in the execution of every new plan.”new plan.”

---“They are bold beyond their strength; they ---“They are bold beyond their strength; they run risks that prudence would condemn.”run risks that prudence would condemn.”

---“In the midst of misfortune they are full of ---“In the midst of misfortune they are full of hope.”hope.”

The characteristics of the The characteristics of the AtheniansAthenians

Devotion to the cityDevotion to the city Quick rageQuick rage: :

---condemned and executed the generals w---condemned and executed the generals who had failed, in the stress of weather and ho had failed, in the stress of weather and battle, to pick up the drowned bodies of thbattle, to pick up the drowned bodies of their own men killed in the naval engagemeneir own men killed in the naval engagement at Arginusae.t at Arginusae.

The Revelation of Oedipus’s The Revelation of Oedipus’s Character as a Typical Athenian Character as a Typical Athenian

Quick in conception & executionQuick in conception & execution::

---Oedipus has already sent to Delphi when t---Oedipus has already sent to Delphi when the priest advises him to do so and has alrhe priest advises him to do so and has already sent for Tiresias when the chorus sueady sent for Tiresias when the chorus suggests this course of action.ggests this course of action.

The Revelation of Oedipus’s The Revelation of Oedipus’s Character as a Typical AthenianCharacter as a Typical Athenian

Bold & Risk-RunningBold & Risk-Running

---Oedipus risked his life to answer the riddle ---Oedipus risked his life to answer the riddle of Sphinxof Sphinx

---In spite of the oracle about his marriage, ---In spite of the oracle about his marriage, accepted the hand of the queen.accepted the hand of the queen.

The Revelation of Oedipus’s The Revelation of Oedipus’s Character as a Typical AthenianCharacter as a Typical Athenian

Full of hope even in the midst of misforFull of hope even in the midst of misfortunetune

---Oedipus claims that he is “the child of fort---Oedipus claims that he is “the child of fortune” even when he is told that he is not thune” even when he is told that he is not the son of Polybus and Merope and Jocasta e son of Polybus and Merope and Jocasta has already realized whose son he is.has already realized whose son he is.

The Revelation of Oedipus’s The Revelation of Oedipus’s Character as a Typical AthenianCharacter as a Typical Athenian

Devotion to the cityDevotion to the city

---His answer to the priest at the beginning o---His answer to the priest at the beginning of the play shows that he is a conscientious f the play shows that he is a conscientious and patriotic ruler.and patriotic ruler.

---His curse on the murderer of King Laius is ---His curse on the murderer of King Laius is due to his civil concern. due to his civil concern.

The Revelation of Oedipus’s The Revelation of Oedipus’s Character as a Typical AthenianCharacter as a Typical Athenian

Quick rageQuick rage

---the characteristic fault of Athenian democr---the characteristic fault of Athenian democracyacy

---He throws a tantrum when his search of th---He throws a tantrum when his search of the murderer is frustrated at the first attempt.e murderer is frustrated at the first attempt.

---His anger bursts out again when his interr---His anger bursts out again when his interrogation of Tiresias gets no result. ogation of Tiresias gets no result.

The Revelation of Oedipus’s The Revelation of Oedipus’s Character as a Typical AthenianCharacter as a Typical Athenian

Confidence in the human intelligence, eConfidence in the human intelligence, especially his ownspecially his own(Every step his intelligence prompted took him o(Every step his intelligence prompted took him one step nearer to disaster.)ne step nearer to disaster.)1. pity & orthodoxy1. pity & orthodoxy2. taunting at oracles when he hears that2. taunting at oracles when he hears that

Polybus is deadPolybus is dead3. the despairing courage with which he accepts3. the despairing courage with which he accepts

the consequences, “And I am at the edge ofthe consequences, “And I am at the edge of hearing horrors, yes, but I must hear.”hearing horrors, yes, but I must hear.”

A Question to ExploreA Question to Explore

What causes Oedipus’s tragedy?What causes Oedipus’s tragedy?

A Question to ExploreA Question to Explore

What causes Oedipus’s tragedy?What causes Oedipus’s tragedy?

---He is the man he is, because of all ---He is the man he is, because of all aspects of his character, good and bad aspects of his character, good and bad alike.alike.

What causes Oedipus’s tragedy?What causes Oedipus’s tragedy?

His confidence in human intelligenceHis confidence in human intelligence His risk-running boldnessHis risk-running boldness His devotion to the cityHis devotion to the city His quick conception and executionHis quick conception and execution His quick rageHis quick rage His hopefulness as the situation darkensHis hopefulness as the situation darkens His passion for discovering the truthHis passion for discovering the truth

The Revelation of Oedipus’s The Revelation of Oedipus’s Character: Present and PastCharacter: Present and Past

Each action on stage shows us the mood Each action on stage shows us the mood in which he committed some action in the in which he committed some action in the past.past.

The Revelation of Oedipus’s The Revelation of Oedipus’s Character: Present and PastCharacter: Present and Past

1. 1. Quick rageQuick rage::

----His death sentence on Creon----His death sentence on Creon

he killed Laius because of an insult on thhe killed Laius because of an insult on the high waye high way

2. 2. Action without forethoughtAction without forethought

----proclamation of total excommunication fo----proclamation of total excommunication for the unknown murderer r the unknown murderer accepting the hand of Jocasta accepting the hand of Jocasta

The Revelation of Oedipus’s The Revelation of Oedipus’s Character: Present and PastCharacter: Present and Past

3. 3. intelligent, persistent search for truthintelligent, persistent search for truth

---Searching the murderer of Laius ---Searching the murderer of Laius Solving the riddle of SphinxSolving the riddle of Sphinx

Oedipus’s coming to true self-Oedipus’s coming to true self-knowledgeknowledge

Oedipus’s coming to full self-knowledge: Oedipus’s coming to full self-knowledge:

---He learns that the oracle he had first foug---He learns that the oracle he had first fought against and then laughed at has been fuht against and then laughed at has been fulfilled, that every step his intelligence promlfilled, that every step his intelligence prompted took him one step nearer to disaster, pted took him one step nearer to disaster, that his knowledge was ignorance and his that his knowledge was ignorance and his clean vision blindness.clean vision blindness.

The figure that arouses fear & pity The figure that arouses fear & pity

A man among the highly renowned and prA man among the highly renowned and prosperous, who is not pre-eminent in virtue osperous, who is not pre-eminent in virtue and justice, and yet on the other hand doeand justice, and yet on the other hand does not fall into misfortune through vice or des not fall into misfortune through vice or depravity, but falls pravity, but falls because of some mistake because of some mistake (( 陰錯陽差陰錯陽差 ))..

Further Reflection on the Questions Further Reflection on the Questions

A romantic lover might easily become an A romantic lover might easily become an irresponsible husband in the future.irresponsible husband in the future.

A practical lover would probably be a A practical lover would probably be a responsible husband, who, however, might responsible husband, who, however, might bore you.bore you.

A Question to ExploreA Question to Explore

Is Apollo the essential factor in the Is Apollo the essential factor in the

tragedy?tragedy?

A Question to ExploreA Question to Explore

Is Apollo the essential factor in the Is Apollo the essential factor in the

tragedy?tragedy?

---Although Apollo has predicted what Oedip---Although Apollo has predicted what Oedipus will do, he does not determine it. Oedipus will do, he does not determine it. Oedipus determines his own conduct, by being tus determines his own conduct, by being the man he is.he man he is.

Sophocles’s Reflection Upon the Sophocles’s Reflection Upon the Man and the WorldMan and the World

Oedipus suffers more than he deserves.Oedipus suffers more than he deserves. He has served as an example of the inadeHe has served as an example of the inade

quacy of the human intellect and a warninquacy of the human intellect and a warning that there is a power in the universe that g that there is a power in the universe that humanity cannot control or even fully undehumanity cannot control or even fully understand. (rstand. ( 敬天畏神敬天畏神 ))

But Oedipus still has our sympathy and SoBut Oedipus still has our sympathy and Sophocles felt this too.phocles felt this too.

The Conflict in The Conflict in AntigoneAntigone

Antigone vs. Creon:Antigone vs. Creon:

--representatives of two irreconcilable social --representatives of two irreconcilable social and religious positionsand religious positions

--Family loyalty vs. loyalty to the state--Family loyalty vs. loyalty to the state

Further Reflection upon QuestionsFurther Reflection upon Questions

So, what will be your verdict (final So, what will be your verdict (final judgment) on the mother who fails to judgment) on the mother who fails to inform the police of her son’s crime? inform the police of her son’s crime?

An Gender Issue An Gender Issue

The tension between household and civic iThe tension between household and civic institution:nstitution:

The attempt of Athenian periodic legislaturThe attempt of Athenian periodic legislature to curtail public display at funerals, inclue to curtail public display at funerals, including women’s laments.ding women’s laments.

Athenians’s fear of disorder created by woAthenians’s fear of disorder created by women in the householdmen in the household