To begin; Sophocles is only really remembered for being one of three ancient Greek play writers that has historically documented works still available. His works are long (as most tragedies are), it is difficult to read for modern individuals, and they serve best as they were intended to be performed; as a play. Past that, I don't think this guy was a blast to have at parties.
This story itself has been overcooked and over-analyzed for decades of literature courses and scholarly discussions. I have been assigned this story to discuss on multiple occasions, and I'm quite frankly tired of it. (No offense, Prof. Kikendall) This work should absolutely be addressed at least once in an English (or Psychology) major's life. Oedipus is a line for line example of a traditional Greek tragedy and can be appreciated thusly, however, in my opinion there is nothing that entails the amount of attention this piece gets.
To discuss the plot seems moot; you have read Oedipus. Anyone who graduated high school has read this within groups and resented their professors for assigning it. The plot is basic; king needs to help his people, king sends his brother-in-law (Uncle) to find help. Brother-in-Uncle says they must find the previous king's killer. I wish this is where a cheesy rom-com would begin, and Oedipus meets a funny, quirky girl and they run away, but that's not how these things work. Oedipus decides to go full Sherlock and solve the murder. He has a prophecy foretold unto him that he will be in an incestuous marriage that will drive him crazy, (Spoiler; it happens)
Oedipus's wife-mother tells him not to worry about it, weird prophecies happen all the time. I mean afterall, her first born son didn't kill her husband or marry her because she killed him as an infant...right? (Spoiler, she didn't) Lots of story later and discussion with the sheep herder he finds out that, surprise, he actually is the son of the former king whom he killed and is now married to his own mom! The mother, Jocasta, ends her own life on learning the news. Oedipus then goes ham on his eyes with pins from his mother-wife's dress. Now blind, really sad, and disgraced from the thrown he asks his brother-uncle to kill him. Alas, what tragedy would be complete without a loose ending? The play ends with our incestuous fallen king waiting for an oracle to determine his fate.
I just wrote the story in two paragraphs what took Sophocles a small paperweight of a book to do. This piece is over-done, wordy, and boring. I really do not want to read this again.
Let's end with something that I don't hate; terrible humor.
Why was Oedipus against profanity?
Because he kisses his mother with that mouth.
Bu-dum-tss.
Erin, This was great. I think you nailed it and I was smiling which was not what I was doing as I read the original. I don't know if you watched the Schmoot video, but it is pretty humorous as well. I don;t remember reading this in high school, but that was many, many moons ago, so I may have. I think that he does kind of get a bad wrap in legacy since people think he knowingly married his mother, when that was not the case. I am adopted, but now know my biological family. That is a fear I would have if I moved home, that I might marry a cousin. Lol. I was told, don't get involved with anyone on the reservation, you are probably related.
ReplyDeleteGood overview. I liked it.
Sharron Doyle
Erin,
ReplyDeleteI disliked this reading as well. I had a discussion with a friend after reading it because I was still absolutely clueless what it was all about. Ultimately, my friend couldn't really answer my questions and he told me that IT IS PART OF A TRILOGY (no. please, no.). A good overview but I am still so unsure about the implications. Was this all to prove that things come back to haunt you? This week is suppose to be about dysfunctional relationships and this piece sure hit it on the nose. Thanks for your post!
Shelby DeWitt
Erin,
ReplyDeleteI would like to say first that I found your post refreshing and entertaining to read. I would have to agree that this text is at times a challenge and is fairly predictable as it contains a lot of foreshadowing. With reading the text, I can see why you may dislike the story as well, but I surprisingly did not mind reading it. I thought it was a useful example of a tragedy and it is one of the easier Greek plays to read and comprehend (at least it was for me). I think I am also a little more into this play than others because I have always loved Greek mythology and remember hearing about these darker tales in my mythology class in high school (which was one of my favorite classes of all time). Overall, it was an intriguing post to read and reflect upon.
Lindsey Carter