OEDIPUS REXclass discussion guide

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

Why do human beings feel compelled to discover the truth about themselves?

What is the role of fate/free will in human life?

What compels human beings to sacrifice themselves for the greater good?

FIRST READING

What questions do you have? Is there anything from the reading guide that we need to discuss?

FIRST READING - THE BASICS

Brave, kingly Oedipus wants to protect Thebes.

What threatens his city?

Oedipus takes action twice to defend Thebes.

First, he sends Creon to the Oracle at Delphi

Second, he sends for Tiresias - the blind prophet

Oedipus pesters Tiresias endlessly for info.

Tiresias eventually reveals, “I say that you slew the man whose slayer you seek” (376).

How does Oedipus take this news? Who does he blame? Does the chorus believe it?

FIRST READING - APPLYING ARISTOTLE

Sophrosyne - awareness of one’s limitations

“I do not hold you equal to the gods” (34).

“And if there are matters tertiary to it, do not fail to say them also” (290-291).

Hubris

“I have come here myself, who am called Oedipus and known to all” (7-8).

Others?

Look closely at lines 130-153. Is Oedipus exercising sophrosyne, or his he guilty of hubris in that moment?

FIRST READING - TECHNIQUE

Direct and indirect characterization

Examples?

Foreshadowing

The many prophecies

Tiresias’ hesitance and revelation

Situational irony

Built in because audiences come to the play already familiar with the outcome

SECOND READING

What questions do you have? Is there anything from the reading guide that we need to discuss?

SECOND READING - THE BASICS

When we left him last, Oedipus was blaming his bro-in-law Creon for putting Tiresias up to his “lies.”

How does Creon respond to this accusation?

Jocasta insists there is nothing to worry about because prophecies are often wrong.

What examples does she share?

Is anyone else disturbed that Oedipus never told Jocasta about the man he killed outside the city, or that Jocasta never told Oedipus about the son she killed on the mountain? They are married! It’s been 20 years!

The chorus says something very important during the 3rd choral ode.

What will happen if Oedipus defeats the oracle?

SECOND READING - APPLYING ARISTOTLE

Hamartia - fatal flaw

What might be Oedipus’ hamartia? Explain.

Has Sophocles been consistent so far with Aristotle’s three unities?

time (no more than 24 hours)

place (single physical space)

action (minimal subplots)

SECOND READING - TECHNIQUE

Foreshadowing

Situational irony

Dramatic irony

Four types of conflict

man vs. nature

man vs. man

man vs. society

man vs. self

THIRD READING

You finished the play! What questions do you have?

THIRD READING - THE BASICS

Oedipus discovers that Polybus, his father in Corinth, has died.

How does he react? (44). Did this surprise you?

Oedipus momentarily believes that he has beaten the prophecy because he did not kill Polybus. How does the messenger destroy his sense of peace? (46)

The shepherd/murder witness appears before Oedipus in fear

He does not want to reveal what he knows, but Oedipus must have the truth…

The 5th choral ode presents the fate of Oedipus - man’s rise and fall

Jocasta’s fate (note the offstage action)

What does Oedipus do to himself? (58)

How can we tell that Oedipus has grown as a result of his experiences?

THIRD READING - APPLYING ARISTOTLE

Anagnorisis - the moment when Oedipus realizes the truth

“Alas, alas. It’s all come out so clearly. Light, let me see the last of you now” (1205-1206).

Eusebeia - where does Oedipus show reverence?

Phronesis - when is it evident that Oedipus gains wisdom?

Catharsis - cleansing of emotion

We feel better about things, even though Oedipus suffered a terrible fate