Download - Oedipus The King
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Oedipus The KingOedipus The King
Or, Mummy? Daddy?Or, Mummy? Daddy?
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The Great DionysiaThe Great Dionysia
• Oedipus Rex was entered by Sophocles at the Great Dionysia around 431 BCE, a religious and cultural festival that had competitions for tragedies and comedies, where it came…
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• ….second. • Euphorion, Aeschylus’ son, won.• He did, however, win in around 442 BCE
with another play you know:
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Antigone
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Background & Context…Background & Context…
• What, from the opening lines from 1 – 57, is happening in Thebes?
• In what condition are the people? Find three pieces of evidence.
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Fate and self-determinismFate and self-determinism
• Oedipus Rex, or Oedipus the King:– was deeply concerned with fate, destiny and
self-determinism (compare to Miller);– explores the concept of hubris frequently…
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Hubris?Hubris?
• The pride that comes before a fall.• This is a central issue in the play….
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Who is so proud?Who is so proud?
• Oedipus…• His pride is immense – why? • Give three reasons that you know of
from the previous ppt and, after reading lines 1 – 57, the opening speech of the priest from lines 14 – 57.
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Why is this important?Why is this important?
• Because this is crucial in determining Oedipus’s status as a tragic hero.
• Now, write down all the things that you believe constitute a tragic hero from your earlier studies…
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The tragic flawThe tragic flaw
• Or Hamartia, is the key aspect of a tragic hero, according to the Greeks.
• What is Oedipus’ tragic flaw?
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CreonCreon
• Read from lines 87 – 150.• Write: where has Creon come from?• Note: what is his news?• Note: in what ways is Thebes “polluted”?• Does this connect to any other plays you
have studied? If so, how?
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Oedipus’ initial reaction to Oedipus’ initial reaction to Creon’s newsCreon’s news
• Note: what does Oedipus say regarding the death of Laius and his own position?
• Note: what does this inform us of Oedipus’ character?
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The ChorusThe Chorus
• We are familiar with the general role of the chorus from Antigone;
• Now read from lines 151 – 212. • Write: what is their specific purpose here?
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Oedipus’ curseOedipus’ curse
• Read from lines 213 – 275,• Note down: make a list of points that
Oedipus makes regarding his past, how he will treat those who aid him, and what will ensue if and when the murderer of Laius is found…
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Seeing and blindnessSeeing and blindness
• Sight is another central theme in Oedipus• What do you think sight represents? • Write down three ideas.
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Oedipus & TeiresiasOedipus & Teiresias
• Now read the confrontation between Oedipus and Teiresias from lines 300 – 463;
• Activity: on a flow chart, trace the content of their dispute.
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Oedipus, Creon and the idea of Oedipus, Creon and the idea of justicejustice
• Read from lines 510 – 633• Mind map, using colour and symbol, your
ideas about Oedipus’ sense of justice• How does this link to the idea of hubris
and hamartia?
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Jocasta – ll. 633 - 862Jocasta – ll. 633 - 862
• What is Jocasta’s first reaction when she enters?
• Up until line 707 what is her input into the debate? Write down your interpretation
• How does she interact with the Chorus? Do they agree with each other? Write down two main ideas about this.
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Oedipus’ recognitionsOedipus’ recognitions
• Guys, it is extremely important that you have a precise awareness of what Oedipus realises about himself and his past, and when in the text.
• Coming up will be some further exercises embedded in the Powerpoint to help you in establishing your knowledge of the text.
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Jocasta & the GodsJocasta & the Gods
• Focus on lines 707 – 725 – to what extent do Jocasta and Oedipus concur about the power of the Gods? Write down one idea that you have.
• Why does Jocasta believe what she does about the Gods? Write it…
• How does this section relate to other parts of the text? Jot down three ideas
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The beginning of the reversal in The beginning of the reversal in fortune and Oedipus’ fortune and Oedipus’
recognition: recognition:
• Identify in the text where, exactly, Oedipus’ first, shocking, realisation occurs. (Hint: it may not be at a point where he actually speaks)
• What has he realised? Write it down.• Write down two ways that you would have the
actor playing Oedipus react when he hears the news
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Oedipus and the development Oedipus and the development of his realisationsof his realisations
• Read lines 729 – 770 – what facts are issued about the death of Laius? Jot them down.
• What does Oedipus realise at this point?
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The death of Laius, and The death of Laius, and Oedipus’ languageOedipus’ language
• Read from lines 771 - 833• Write down in summary form how Laius
was killed, using the extra details that Oedipus provides us with.
• What important motif reemerges at this point? (Hint: think about what is happening to the people of Thebes). Write down your idea, with evidence from the text.
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Oedipus and Laius: the search Oedipus and Laius: the search for truth and evidencefor truth and evidence
• Oedipus begins his fateful search for the truth.• What technique does Sophocles use to present
new information to the audience? (Hint: the shepherd on his way is an example…) Write it!
• Write down why you think Greek dramatists used this technique – think about character, theme and plot advancement, rather than stage practicalities…
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The fears of the ChorusThe fears of the Chorus
• Read from lines 863 – 910 and summarise the fears and concerns of the chorus.
• Answer: to what extent are these related to the themes of the play do far?
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Oscillations between horror and Oscillations between horror and relief…relief…
• Oedipus veers between relief and increasing horror for the rest of the play.
• Read from lines 911 – 1050. On a spider diagram, note down from Oedipus’ conversation with the Corinthian what changes in mood are shown, and what revelations are being brought about.
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Jocasta’s realisationJocasta’s realisation
• Identify where, between lines 1050 and 1072, Jocasta realises her true relationship between herself and Oedipus.
• Write: what do you think prompted her realisation?
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The The BIG BIG one…one…
• How is dramatic irony deployed by Sophocles up until line 1061? Jot down your answers…
• Answer: what other examples of foreshadowing and irony are there from 1061 – 1120 (until the entry of the Theban Shepherd, another key minor character)?
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The Countdown to CatastropheThe Countdown to Catastrophe
• Read from 1120 – 1180• What do we see in Oedipus’ behaviour at
this point? Write down three adjectives to describe his treatment of the shepherd and give evidence for each one.
• How does this link to the idea of hamartia, or tragic flaw? Jot down your ideas!
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The Chorus and the Messenger: The Chorus and the Messenger: ll. 1187 - 1236ll. 1187 - 1236
• Focus on the language of the Chorus to describe the fortunes of Oedipus. Find 5 examples of pieces of vocabulary that create juxtaposition, and comment on the effect at this point.
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Reported Violence:Reported Violence: the the Messenger: ll. 1237 – 1297Messenger: ll. 1237 – 1297
• This is one of the most famous descriptions of a suicide and self-harm in the history of Western culture.
• How does the Messenger’s language convey the horror and drama of the scene? Write a 300 word analysis of the speech, focusing on the description of the crimes, and the use of symbolism to generate descriptive power.
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Oedipus’ re-entryOedipus’ re-entry
• Oedipus’ re-entry is profoundly dramatic.• Answer: why is this such a dramatic
moment? What do the audience see before them? Link back to the ideas of hamartia and hubris, sight and knowledge…
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Oedipus’ songsOedipus’ songs
• Read lines 1308 – 1363. Oedipus sings his lines at this point.
• Answer: Why does he say he blinded himself?
• What metaphorical significance does this self-blinding have? Jot down your responses…
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Oedipus’ lamentation – lines Oedipus’ lamentation – lines 1369 - 14161369 - 1416
• Comment on the significance of the following two quotations as fully as possible:
• “No pleasure there, for eyes of mine, / Nor in this city, / nor its battlements / Nor sacred images.” (ll. 1376 – 1379)
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Oedipus’ lamentation (2)Oedipus’ lamentation (2)
• Comment: “You marriages! You did beget me: then, having begotten, / Bore the same crop again, and brought to light / Commingled blood of fathers, brothers, sons, / Brides, mothers, wives; all that there can be / Among the human kind most horrible!” (ll. 1403 – 1408)
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Oedipus & Creon – meeting Oedipus & Creon – meeting again… ll. 1419 – 1526 (the again… ll. 1419 – 1526 (the
end)end)• Write: what do Creon’s lines from lines 1422 – 1431 show about the
nature of Greek attitudes towards incest?• Write: what does Oedipus request of Creon?• Write: why does Creon say that he will ask Oedipus, despite
Oedipus’ pathetic state? What does this show of Creon’s character?
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Oedipus, self-determination and Oedipus, self-determination and fatefate
• Consider the following quotation: “I was not saved / That day from death, except for some strange doom. / My fate must take the course it will.”
• Comment: how significant is this quotation in relation to the theme of fate and free will?
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Oedipus’ final speechOedipus’ final speech
• Oedipus’ final speech is to his daughters, Ismene and Antigone.
• Note: what will the consequences be for the two girls according to Oedipus?
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Catharsis?Catharsis?
• Reflect: to what extent do you agree with Aristotle’s proposition that the audience goes through a sense of catharsis at the end of tragedies such as Oedipus the King? How can you argue for and against that idea? Complete the catharsis worksheet…
• Now go on to our wikispace and find the page entitled ‘Oedipus the King, Aristotle and Catharsis’, and follow the link there.
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Further thought and activitiesFurther thought and activities
• List: what are the major themes that are explored in Oedipus the King? Think of 5, and for each one choose a moment in the play where the theme you have chosen in epitomised.
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Minor charactersMinor characters
• In this play more than others, the minor characters serve an important function in terms of the advancement of plot, theme and character, as well as the aesthetics of drama.
• Make a note of the minor characters and note down their purpose and function in the play.
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The tragic flaw: harmatiaThe tragic flaw: harmatia
• Review: what was Oedipus’ tragic flaw? How does it manifest itself throughout the play? Find a series of examples.
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Sight & BlindnessSight & Blindness
• Quickly re-read the play and note down any moments when sight, seeing and blindness are referred to.
• Answer: how important is the motif of sight and blindness, and what does it represent through the play?
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The search for truth and The search for truth and knowledgeknowledge
• Note: to what extent is Oedipus the King preoccupied with ideas of truth and justice?
• Write down all the different manifestations of concerns with truth and justice throughout the play.
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And that, as they say, is that.And that, as they say, is that.
• The end.