OEDIPUS REX

• Introduction To Theatre• Playscript Notes

General Information:

• Sophocles• 5th century B.C. (425 B.C.)• Time: Deep in ancient mythology

Organization:

• Sophocles was mostly interested in the development of his THEME.

• The audience would have known the storyline, thus PLOT was relatively minor in his development.

• The CHARACTER of Oedipus Rex is transparent through his tragic flaw, thus more clearly establishing Sophocles’ theme.

Central Conflict:

• Oedipus has done what he considers necessary to avoid the terrible fate predicted by the oracle, but he cannot foresee what is in store for him.

• The contrast, then, between man seeking to control his destiny and external forces shaping destiny is clearly depicted.

Themes:

• The fall of Oedipus from the place of highest honor to that of an outcast demonstrates the uncertainty of human destiny.

• Humanity’s limitation in controlling its fate.

Themes:

• It is significant that no attempt is made to explain why destruction comes to Oedipus. It is implied that man must submit to fate and that in struggling to avoid it, he only becomes more entangled.

Themes:

• It is possible to interpret this play as suggesting that the gods, rather than having decreed the characters’ fates have merely foreseen and told what they will do.

Themes:

• Another theme, which may have been a conscious one with Sophocles, is that of Oedipus as a scapegoat.

• Another motif--blindness versus sight--is emphasized in poetic images and in various comparisons.

Action:

• Point of Attack:– Creon’s return from Delphi and retelling

the oracle followed immediately by Oedipus’ proclamation.

Action:

• Basic Conflict:– Oedipus’ refusal (or blindness) to accept

the truth. He has issued the sentence before the verdict has come in. (First the execution, then the trial!)

Action:

• Crisis/climax:– When the sheperd tells Oedipus that he

was the baby he had saved. Creon issues edict to Oedipus.

Action:

• Denouement:– Oedipus has put out his eyes– Jocasta has hung herself– Creon has taken control of Thebes and

banishes Oedipus– Oedipus says farewell to his children

Central Dramatic Action:

• Oedipus issues his proclamation, then proceeds to search out the murderer, only to find it is he, himself.

• The action is mostly through narrative, with violent scenes shown only in tableau.

• The conflict lies within Oedipus and his relationship to the other characters, rather than what he does.

Symbols Used:

• light and darkness• blind and seeing• falling from grace• arrogant pride• swollen feet• brooches• shepherd (leading?)

Character (Dialogue):

• The Greeks placed great emphasis on effective oral presentation.

• The actors’ voices, therefore, must have been well trained.

• The language was poetic and musical, with the choral odes probably set to music.

Character (Appearance):

• Sophocles pays little attention to the physiological level of characterization.

• The principle characters are mature persons but Sophocles says almost nothing about their age or appearance.

Character (Appearance):

• The priest is spoken of as being old. The chorus is made up of Theban elders. Tiresias is old and blind. The Herdsman is an old man.

• In almost every case, age is associated with wisdom and experience.

Character (Appearance):

• There are a number of young characters, none of whom speaks:– the band of suppliants in the prologue are

children– Antigone and Ismene are very young.

Objectives of the Main Characters:

• Oedipus: to find out the truth regardless of the consequences.

Objectives of the Main Characters:

• Jocasta: to prevent Oedipus from his objective; to convince him everything is right

Objectives of the Main Characters:

• Creon: to keep Athens stable and help the people. To serve Oedipus, until he is shown as the problem and then to step in and take control.

Spectacle:

• The Greek theatre had no proscenium arch or curtain. The play begins, therefore, with the procession of the chorus through the paradoi.

Spectacle:

• The scenery is simple. The skene (scenehouse) represents a palace; no changes are made and no machinery is used. The thymele (altar) was in the middle of the orchestra.

Spectacle:

• Since the play was performed outdoors, no artificial illumination was necesary. Three plays by the same author were presented each day.

Spectacle:

• Costumes were stylized and denoted the character differences.

• The chorus wore chitons, shorter gowns.• The characters wore himations, longer

gowns.

Spectacle:

• The actors wore cothurnus, the tragic boot--18” stilts!

• Color would make visual distinctions.• The actors wore masks indicative of age

and character.• Instrumental music, singing and the speech

of actors was important aurally.

Specific Scenes to Note:

• The opening scene in which the exposition is given, and Oedipus issues his proclamation (the point of attack).

• The scene in which Jocasta tries to dispel Oedipus’ doubts followed by her scene in which she makes offerings to the gods.

Specific Scenes to Note:

• The denouement in which Creon asserts himself and Oedipus stands himself behind his own decree.

• Creon asserts his right to banish Oedipus and restore the honor of Thebes. Oedipus has begun his journey toward righteousness.