Overview
This lecture discusses Sophocles’ play "Oedipus Tyrannus," focusing on its plot, characters, major themes, and literary significance in ancient Greek tragedy.
Plot Summary
- Oedipus, King of Thebes, seeks to end a plague affecting his city.
- He learns from the Oracle at Delphi that the plague will end when Laius’s murderer is found.
- Oedipus vows to find and punish the murderer, cursing himself if he is guilty.
- Investigation reveals Oedipus unknowingly killed Laius, his father, and married Jocasta, his mother.
- Jocasta dies by suicide; Oedipus blinds himself in despair and goes into exile.
Main Characters
- Oedipus is the determined but tragic king who seeks the truth about his origins.
- Jocasta is Oedipus’s wife and mother, Queen of Thebes.
- Creon, Jocasta’s brother, serves as Oedipus’s advisor and is accused of conspiracy.
- Tiresias, a blind prophet, reveals Oedipus’s guilt but is initially disbelieved.
Major Themes
- Fate vs free will: Oedipus tries to avoid prophecy, but his actions fulfill it.
- Tragic flaw (hamartia): Oedipus’s pride and determination lead to his downfall.
- Sight and blindness: Literal and metaphorical blindness are used to explore knowledge and ignorance.
- The limits of human understanding: Oedipus cannot escape or fully comprehend his fate.
Significance and Literary Features
- "Oedipus Tyrannus" is a prime example of Greek tragedy, emphasizing dramatic irony.
- The chorus provides commentary and reflects on human suffering and fate.
- Use of prophecy and irony heightens tension and audience engagement.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Tragedy — a dramatic genre focusing on human suffering and catharsis.
- Hamartia — a protagonist’s fatal flaw leading to their downfall.
- Oracle — a priest or priestess through whom the gods communicate.
- Dramatic irony — when the audience knows more than the characters.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Read "Oedipus Tyrannus" in its entirety.
- Review the major themes discussed for the next class.
- Prepare 1-2 questions on the play’s use of irony for discussion.