23/1/07 – Classical Literature – Sophocles: The Oedipus Myth

In the original myth of Oedipus, Tydeus and Diomedes are involved, as well as Polynices and Eteocles. Oedipus discovers his folly sooner and remarries. In Aeschylus’ tragedies, Laius is warned three times by Apollo of his destiny. There is an account of Laius’ killing. Questions are raised about whether Laius deserved his death, and as Apollo is a kind god, did Laius’ lack of heed lead to his downfall? Also, Oedipus marries Jocasta and has children with her, discovers his transgression and blinds himself. It was Aeschylus who invented this blinding. Oedipus curses his children and they die … Apollo’s way of nullifying the incestuous family line (as he tried to by warning Laius).

Passages of note: 150-158, 276-287, 468-485, 515-523, 777-800, 954-997, 1280-1310, 1250-1480.

The opening section is expository. Here, Oedipus is confident and recalls past glories.

Questions posed to the oracle were answered indirectly and left for entreating party to solve. So responsibility is placed on individuals, as they have to work the prophecies out for themselves.

It was thought that murder polluted the state and illness was the punishment for this. In this case, Laius’ murderers polluted the city and brought plague to Thebes.

There is dramatic irony because the audience knows more than Oedipus does, and sees double meanings in his language referring to his inevitable downfall.

Aeschylus’ Seven Against Thebes came before Sophocles’ Three Theban Plays. The part of the chorus declined through the centuries. The chorus acts like a curtain, showing where the breaks in action come, and yet the chorus don’t advance the story. Songs capture the emotional moment, rather, with music and poetry. The choral odes are often more memorable than the drama.

In lines 515-523 Oedipus seems to hear too much. Surely Teiresias is giving the game away by telling Oedipus the truth right at the beginning? However, Oedipus still thinks he is the son of Polybus, a farmer, and so he believes Teiresias is mad.