Oedipus Rex, also known as Oedipus the King, is a classic play written by the ancient Greek playwright Sophocles. The play is a tragic story that follows the life of Oedipus, a man who becomes the king of Thebes after solving the riddle of the Sphinx. However, Oedipus's story takes a tragic turn when he discovers that he has unknowingly fulfilled a prophecy that he would kill his father and marry his mother. The lines in Oedipus Rex are central to the play's themes of fate, free will, and the consequences of our actions.
One of the most famous lines in Oedipus Rex is, "I was the first to say it: I, Oedipus, who knew nothing, found it out" (Sophocles, Oedipus Rex, Lines 41-42). This line is spoken by Oedipus as he is trying to solve the mystery of who killed his predecessor, King Laius. Oedipus is proud of his ability to solve the riddle of the Sphinx and has a strong belief in his own intelligence and ability to solve problems. However, this line also foreshadows the tragic revelation that Oedipus will later make about his own identity and the fulfillment of the prophecy.
Another significant line in Oedipus Rex is, "But I, who thought I was of no kin to Laius, I who thought I was not his son" (Sophocles, Oedipus Rex, Lines 953-954). This line is spoken by Oedipus as he realizes the truth about his parentage and the fulfillment of the prophecy. Oedipus is devastated by this revelation and struggles to come to terms with the fact that he has unknowingly killed his own father and married his mother. The line highlights the theme of fate versus free will in the play, as Oedipus had no control over the events that led to the fulfillment of the prophecy.
Another important line in Oedipus Rex is, "I see it now: a voice that speaks to me of all my misery" (Sophocles, Oedipus Rex, Lines 1083-1084). This line is spoken by Oedipus as he is confronted with the evidence of his own guilt. Oedipus realizes that he cannot escape his fate and that the consequences of his actions will be severe. The line also highlights the theme of the tragic hero, as Oedipus is a man who is destined for greatness but ultimately meets a tragic end due to a flaw in his character.
Overall, the lines in Oedipus Rex are central to the play's themes of fate, free will, and the consequences of our actions. The play is a timeless classic that continues to be studied and performed to this day, and its lines remain powerful and thought-provoking.
3.9.
CREON He fell; and now the god's command is plain: Punish his takers-off, whoe'er they be. HERDSMAN 'Tis so, my king. When the king and queen of Thebes give birth to a son, Oedipus, an oracle tells them that their child will kill his father. Now Laiusâso at least report affirmedâ Was murdered on a day by highwaymen, No natives, at a spot where three roads meet. And of the children, inmates of his home, He shall be proved the brother and the sire, Of her who bare him son and husband both, Co-partner, and assassin of his sire. However, after consulting the Oracle this uncertainty disappears, strangely enough, and is replaced by a totally unjustified certainty that he is the son of Merope and Polybus. Blind in your eyes.
Why, when the monster with her song was here, Didst thou not give our countrymen thy help? I own no lord but Loxias; him I serve And ne'er can stand enrolled as Creon's man. One further question to resolve my doubt. Hearing this, Oedipus fled from home, never to return. Why ask Thus idly what from me thou shalt not learn? The King demands that Creon be executed; however, the The mention of the place causes Oedipus to pause and ask for more details. Thy fall, O Oedipus, thy piteous fall Warns me none born of women blest to call.
When they bring up the subject of the baby, the shepherd refuses to speak. Let no man in this land, whereof I hold The sovereign rule, harbor or speak to him; Give him no part in prayer or sacrifice Or lustral rites, but hound him from your homes. CREON Thou art as sullen in thy yielding mood As in thine anger thou wast truculent. And for the disobedient thus I pray: May the gods send them neither timely fruits Of earth, nor teeming increase of the womb, But may they waste and pine, as now they waste, Aye and worse stricken; but to all of you, My loyal subjects who approve my acts, May Justice, our ally, and all the gods Be gracious and attend you evermore. Two Faces of Oedipus: Sophocles' Oedipus Tyrannus and Seneca's Oedipus. Jocasta specifies the branch to Confused, Jocasta asks Oedipus what the matter is, and he tells her.
And dost thou think to say these things and live? I, too, heard that. The wrangling stops when Jocasta â the queen and Creon's sister â divides the men, sending Creon home. OEDIPUS Who is this man, and what his news for me? But when he comes, then I were base indeed, If I perform not all the god declares. The speech is heartbreaking because we know that Oedipus has arrived at only half the truth. The translation of the play here is originally from 1912, done by Francis Storr. Oedipus says he could not bear to look his father and mother in the eyes in Hades hell , and, alive, he cannot look bear to look at the faces of his children or his countrymen.
. OEDIPUS Did the same prophet then pursue his craft? JOCASTA 'T was but a brief while were thou wast proclaimed Our country's ruler that the news was brought. OEDIPUS I'll tell thee, lady; if his tale agrees With thine, I shall have 'scaped calamity. These sequences are the exposition, the rising action, the climax, the falling action and finally, the catastrophe. Will nothing loose thy tongue? O children mine, Where are ye? I know thou mean'st me well, And yet would'st mitigate and blunt my zeal. Jocasta says: 'So clear in this case were the oracles, so clear and false. And all the city reeks with incense smoke, 4 And all re-echoes with your wailing hymns; And I, my children, counting it unmeet To hear report from others, I have come Myself, whom all name Ĺdipus the Great.
O ye Three, Shine on us, and deliver us from ill! And if he shrinks, let him reflect that thus Confessing he shall 'scape the capital charge; For the worst penalty that shall befall him Is banishmentâunscathed he shall depart. And yet the riddle was not to be solved By guess-work but required the prophet's art Wherein thou wast found lacking; neither birds nor sign from heaven helped thee, but I came. CHORUS My liege, if any man sees eye to eye With our lord Phoebus, 'tis our prophet, lord Teiresias; he of all men best might guide A searcher of this matter to the light. An oracle Once came to Laius I will not say 'Twas from the Delphic god himself, but from His ministers declaring he was doomed To perish by the hand of his own son, A child that should be born to him by me. JOCASTA Suppose him here, what wouldst thou learn of him? Best live a careless life from hand to mouth.
JOCASTA Of his own knowledge or upon report? CREON Yea, so he spake, but in our present plight 'Twere better to consult the god anew. I leave to Apollo what concerns the god. Well, then, I speak the things the God declared. OEDIPUS Since come it must, thy duty is to tell me. And yet success in this has worked thy fall. None can tell Who did cast on thee his spell, prowling all thy life around, Leaping with a demon bound.
Despite his rejection of Tiresias, Oedipus does believe in the power of prophecy, as he confesses to Jocasta. But blinding himself was an act of his own free will, a response to the fate and shame that the gods have forced on him. Oedipus realizes that he has fulfilled his awful prophecy. Go into your palace then, king Oedipus and think about these things and if you find me a liar then you can truly say I know nothing of prophecies. Thus sprung why should I fear to trace my birth? Then I never Had shown to men the secret of my birth. The city of Thebes is suffering from a plague and the people have turned to their king, Oedipus, for help.
CHORUS An end too dread to tell, too dark to see. OEDIPUS Offspring of endless Night, thou hast no power O'er me or any man who sees the sun. Latest answer posted February 28, 2014, 10:48 pm UTC 1 educator answer At this point, Oedipus is beside himself with rage and claims he must act quickly to protect himself when his enemy plots against him. But tell me why Thou comestâwhat thy need or what thy news. For this is our defilement, so the god Hath lately shown to me by oracles.
OEDIPUS Then there Thou must have known yon man, at least by fame? Our dreams convince us that this is so. Given the modern conception of Oedipus Rex", knows that Peter will do this, but readers would in no way suggest that Peter was a puppet of fate being forced to deny Christ. JOCASTA O woe is thee, poor wretch! OEDIPUS Merope, stranger, wife of Polybus. Ironically, Oedipus will be thrust dishonoured from the land--by himself, once he discovers what he's done. Creon attempts to defend himself, but Oedipus heatedly asserts that he wants his brother-in-law dead and that he alone can rule. Only time, he states, will bring the truth to light. She gives the example of the prophecy she and Laius were given: that their son would kill his father.
