25/1/07 – Classical Literature – Oedipus the King

Does Oedipus exit or not? Should he be murdered or exiled?

In line 910 it is clear that the murderer of Laius must be exiled. But there is also talk of murder and punishment for the murder of the king. In lines 515-23, Teiresias seems to give the story away. Should this part be staged as an aside? Should Oedipus exit before this? Such problems are not resolved in the play.

In the Creon scene, Jocasta reconciles Creon during his argument with Oedipus. In 710, Creon’s punishment is debated. In 770ff, Oedipus thinks that Creon and Teiresias are conspiring against him.

In 885-900, there is a debate on the thieves (plural) said to have killed Laius. Oedipus is daydreaming (almost). He remembers his actions as a young man. But it is also revealing of Oedipus’ character: he may be a puppet of fate, but they were his own actions, a sign of his violent character.

Jocasta’s consolation to Oedipus is that the prophecy can’t be true because the baby died. She denies the existence of fate (religion, gods, etc.) yet goes to pray to Apollo directly afterwards, indicating that she is worried or unsure. “Son of Chance” – Oedipus has had good luck and bad luck.

Oedipus claims some suffering on himself – blinding himself is his responsibility and the affirmation of his freedom. Freedom is exercised also in his choice to discover the truth about his past.

The final twist: he feels concern for his daughters. This is ironic because Antigone has already been staged and the audience knows the fate of her and her sister Ismene while Oedipus does not.