Overview
This lecture explores Sophocles' Oedipus the King, focusing on its tragic plot, Greek theatre context, Aristotle's theory of tragedy, and the lasting questions about fate, free will, and human nature.
Plot Summary of Oedipus the King
- Oedipus becomes King of Thebes after solving the Sphinx's riddle.
- A plague strikes Thebes; an oracle says it's due to King Laius's murderer living unpunished in the city.
- Oedipus investigates and discovers he killed Laius, his biological father, and married Jocasta, his mother.
- Jocasta commits suicide, and Oedipus blinds himself and goes into exile.
- Subsequent tragedies befall Oedipus’s children.
Ancient Greek Theatre Context
- Theatre attendance was a civic duty for Greek male citizens.
- Plays often explored power, control, and the wisdom of rulers, using mythic settings to discuss contemporary issues.
- Each playwright presented three tragedies and one satyr play at festivals; only a fraction of plays survive today.
- Actors wore masks and elaborate costumes; choruses represented the audience's perspective.
Aristotle and Greek Tragedy
- Aristotle called tragedy an imitation of a serious, complete action meant to evoke pity and fear.
- Tragedy should feature a mostly good person who makes a significant mistake (hamartia).
- Oedipus is Aristotle's model tragic hero, but his exact hamartia is ambiguous.
Analysis of Oedipus as a Tragic Hero
- Oedipus is a courageous and active king but also accuses others unfairly and threatens those who resist him.
- His main 'mistake' may be trying to escape fate, not immoral actions.
- Irony is central: the audience knows Oedipus’s fate before he does, increasing dramatic tension.
- The play questions whether knowledge is beneficial or destructive.
Fate, Free Will, and Interpretation
- Early actions are shaped by fate, but Oedipus’s pursuit of truth is his own choice.
- The play avoids giving a clear answer to fate versus free will, instead showing their interplay.
- Freud’s Oedipus Complex misreads the play; Oedipus does not desire his parents but suffers despite attempts to avoid prophecy.
- The play remains powerful due to its complex questions about human nature, choice, and destiny.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Hamartia — a tragic error or 'missing the mark', not simply a flaw.
- Chorus — group representing audience views and common wisdom in Greek drama.
- Oedipus Complex — Freud’s theory of unconscious desires, not actually present in the play.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Reflect: What are examples of fate and free will in Oedipus the King?
- Prepare for discussion: Is Oedipus ruined by a flaw or by circumstances beyond his control?