Oedipus Project

Yessenia Vargas

November 26, 2014

Gender & Literature

                                                Oedipus the King Analysis

Quote 1: You can trust me. I am ready to help,

    I'll do anything. I would be blind to misery

    not to pity my people kneeling at my feet. (13-15)

 Analysis: Oedipus cares a lot about his people and is willing to do anything in order to help them. When he states, “you can trust me” (13) he does this in order to obtain their trust. This phrase is a declarative and telegraphic sentence which allows Oedipus to get straight to the point without having any room for misinterpretation and exemplifies his confidence. His intentions are pure since all he desires is to save the city from the plague. The use of the word, “anything” (14) reinforces Oedipus' willingness to do whatever it takes to help them regardless of what it may be. This proves Oedipus is brave and fearless since he takes a major responsibility upon himself. Oedipus reinforces the idea that he is ready to help by using words like “trust”, “help”, and “anything.” These phrases also enable the people to feel safe under his leadership. Like all good kings he is there to protect his people even if it means putting his own life at risk. When Oedipus states, “my people” (15) he establishes a sense of ownership over the people; although, he may be referring to them as his because the king and the city are directly connected to one another. The phrase, “kneeling at my feet” (15) creates an image of a superior power towering over hopeless individuals. This phrase expresses the desperation and agony the people are enduring. They are willing to lose their pride and praise someone, who is not a God. Despite the fact that Oedipus pities his people, he never bends down to their level instead he stands tall looking down at them. In future events Oedipus gouges out his eyes after learning about his wicked actions. The words, “blind to misery” (14) foreshadows this event where Oedipus blinds himself because he is unable cope with his actions.

Reader's Response:

Reference: 
Sophocles. Oedipus the King. The Three Theban Plays. Trans. Robert Fagles. New York: Penguin Classics, 1984. Print.

Quote 2: Nothing! You,

    you scum of the earth, you'd enrage a heart of stone!

    You won't talk? Nothing moves you?

    Out with it, once and for all! (380-384)

Analysis: Oedipus becomes enrage at Tiresias, a blind prophet, who resist revealing what the oracle says. Oedipus wants to know who the killer of Laius is, in order to save Thebes. Oedipus compares his heart to a stone signifying he is unable to portray any emotion. He wants to be perceive as a strong man since he is the king. People need to rely on a strong individual to feel safe and Oedipus wants to portray that quality. Following the word “you” (380) is a comma creating a pause before Oedipus disrespects Tiresias. This pause serves to express the depth of Oedipus' anger, which makes it difficult for him to even speak. It may also serve to show that Oedipus may be having second thoughts about disrespecting a powerful individual; although, his anger consumes him and he speaks openly without thinking about the consequences. Oedipus repeats the word “nothing” to attempt to convince Tiresias to tell him the truth. The word “nothing” (380) is then follow by an exclamation mark to reinforce Oedipus' anger. Exclamation marks are present in future lines as well, which emphasizes Oedipus' anger and disbelief that Tiresias is not willing to speak. He wants Tiresias to pity him in the hopes that he will reveal the truth about the oracle. By using phrases like, “nothing moves you?” (383) he hopes to make Tiresias feel guilty. Oedipus wants Tiresias to believe that if he does not tell him the truth he will be hurting Thebes. The repetition of the word 'you' is used to ensure that Tiresias understands that it all depends on him; that if he does not speak the death of all the innocent people will fall upon his conscious. Oedipus calls Tiresias, a “scum of the earth” (383) for the simple fact that he is unwilling to reveal what the oracle says. Oedipus wants to save the city from this horrible plague but Tiresias is standing in his way of doing so. Oedipus promise the people he will save the city and does not want to let them down, since it will ultimately ruin his reputation. He wants to proof to the people and himself he was capable of saving them.

Reader's Response: 

    The desperation and frustration you are enduring

    must be overwhelming.

    All you desire is to help your people and know of your origins,

    but everyone around you appears to be obstacles on this journey.

    Never have you expressed an emotion of anger against your country men,

    but the desire to know has possessed you.

    Your heart is consumed with anger hindering your ability to see clearly.

    But that desire to know will enable you to aid your people

    and most importantly allow you to be the hero you always desired.

    Don't let your anger push you to your demise,

    you will be able to triumph if you keep calm.

    Although if needed,

    do what you believe would be best.

    You are trusted by your people.

    You will succeed in your quest, no doubt. 

Reference:  
Sophocles. Oedipus the King. The Three Theban Plays. Trans. Robert Fagles. New York: Penguin Classics, 1984. Print.

Quote 3: Wasn't I born for torment? Look me in the eyes!

    I am abomination- heart and soul!

    I must be exiled, and even in exile

    never see my parents, never set foot

    on native ground again. (909-914)

Analysis: Oedipus knows that he was destined to couple with his mother and murder his father. In Oedipus' question he implies he was only born to torment those around him. The word “eyes” is constantly repeated throughout the whole play. It is used to foreshadow the event where Oedipus gouges out his eyes or to refer back to that event. Oedipus refers to himself as an “abomination” (910), and continues on to say that both his heart and soul are abominations; this conveys the idea that he is completely ruined and nothing inside or outside of himself reminds good or pure. The following sentence he states he must be exile, which relates to the idea that he is an abomination and as such no one accepts him. His desire to be exile is due to the hatred and disgust that are associated with his actions and resentment from the Gods. The repetition of the word “never” reinforces Oedipus’ inability to ever enjoy the things a normal individual would be able to. Oedipus in later lines states that the greatest joy is to look in the eyes of his parents though he has been deprived of that enjoyment. Oedipus has been shorn from happiness; there is nothing that will be able to make him happy again. Despite the fact that Oedipus was looking into the eyes of his mother, he only saw his wife. He was never able to enjoy the feeling of looking at her as his mother.

Reader's Response:

Reference: 

Sophocles. Oedipus the King. The Three Theban Plays. Trans. Robert Fagles. New York: Penguin Classics, 1984. Print.

 Quote 4: What I did was best- don't lecture me,

    no more advice. I, with my eyes,

    how could I look my father in the eyes

    When I go down to death? Or mother, so abused....

    I have done such things to the two of them,

    crimes too huge for hanging. (1499-1504)

Analysis: After gouging out his eyes Oedipus states that it was the best he can do. The pain associated with learning about his wicked actions is not enough and in order to try to cope with it he gouges out his eyes. He states, “don’t lecture me” (1499) signifying that the opinion of those below him is irrelevant. To Oedipus gouging out his eyes was done to make things right although many would perceive this action as ludicrous. In many different parts of the play the word, “eye” is always present either foreshadowing an event or to emphasize it. Oedipus gives reasoning to why he would do such a thing, stating that with his eyes he will never be able to look at his father or mother. Looking into their eyes, will enable him to see the suffering he has caused them. Being blind allows Oedipus not to see the sorrow in their eyes, ultimately making him feel less guilty. The punctuation after “abused” (1502) demonstrates a long pause where Oedipus is probably re-imagining all the things he did with his wife ultimately feeling disgusted. The use of the words, “I have done such things to the two of them” (1503) suggests that Oedipus is overwhelmed by all that has happen. This overwhelming feeling is consuming him and is responsible for gouging out his eyes and his sorrow. Oedipus refers to his crimes as “too huge” (1504) because what he has done, is a taboo which is unaccepted by society. The word “hanging” (1504) alludes back to the moment where Jocasta commits suicide. Also suggesting that Oedipus is re-imagining the moment where Jocasta was swinging back and forth with a rope around her neck.

Reader's Response:

I feel extremely bad for Oedipus. He is living his whole life under a lie, not knowing he was cursed before birth. He is seen as an abomination by some, which can’t be erased because one can not escape their destiny. He never intends to do harm to anyone but still manages to without even trying. Oedipus kills his father, loses his mother and wife, gouges out his eyes and yet the agony never seems to end. Oedipus can’t come terms with his transgressions. His actions appear so far fetched he never imagines he is capable of such acts. Oedipus stays far from his parents to ensure that the prophecy does not come true yet his destiny follows his every step. Even though he commits these crimes which are not accepted by society, he is unaware of his actions and should not be punished. Oedipus does not commit any sin because lacks malicious intent. It is tragic that he never looks at Jocasta as the motherly figure she was and would never be able to do so. He expresses that the greatest joy is looking into the eyes of one's parent but Oedipus is deprived of this right since birth. Oedipus is a tragic man. Without his knowledge his actions lead to the deaths of his parents and he still has to face punishment. The most tragic part is that he is admirably willing to face the punishment.

Reference:

Sophocles. Oedipus the King. The Three Theban Plays. Trans. Robert Fagles. New York: Penguin Classics, 1984. Print.