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English
120: Introduction to Literature--Lightness and
Weight
Wendy Furman-Adams |
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The Structure of Oedipus the King
(According to Aristotle, the prototypical
tragedy)
The structure of the play: a prologue and five
episodes, each introduced by a choral ode.
The plot: a mystery story--on one level a "who
dunnit"; on a deeper level the mystery of
Oedipus' identity; and by extension the mystery
of human identity itself.
Prologue, 11-17, line 150.
I. "Act One"--Parodus, 17, line 151.
Episode One, Oedipus and Tieresias, 19, line
216.
II. "Act Two"--Chorus, 30, line 462.
Episode Two-A, Creon, 32, line 512.
Episode Two-B, Jocasta (including Oedipus'
story), 38, line 634.
III. "Act III"--Chorus, 47, line 864.
Episode Three, Jocasta, Messenger, Oedipus
(leading up to Jocasta's catastrophe), 49, line
912.
IV. "Act IV"--Chorus, 58, line 1089.
Episode Four, Oedipus, Messenger, and Herdsman
(leading up to Oedipus' recognition), 59, line
1110.
V. "Act V"--Chorus, 64, line 1187.
Episode Five-A, Second Messenger and Chorus, 65,
line 1223.
Episode Five-B, Blinded Oedipus and Chorus, 67,
line 1298.
Episode Five-C, Oedipus and Creon, Antigone and
Ismene, 71, line 1422.
Each scene reveals something of Oedipus'
character--and even more important, according to
Aristotle's Poetics, each scene moves the action
inevitably toward reversal, recognition, and
catastrophe; the arousal of fear and pity; and
therefore toward the ultimate goal of catharsis,
or purgation of emotion for the good and safety
of the polis.
A key to the play throughout is Sophoclean
irony--dramatic irony, verbal irony, and the
irony in the contrast between intention and
fulfillment.
Some crucial lines:
Why should man fear since chance is all in all
for him, and he can clearly foreknow nothing?
Best to live lightly, as one can, unthinkingly.
. . .
Before this, in dreams too, as well as oracles,
many a man has lain with his own mother.
But he to whom such things are nothing bears
his life most easily. (Jocasta, ll. 977-84)
O generations of men, how I
count you as equal to those who live not at all!
What man, what man on earth wins more
of happiness than a seeming
And after that turning away? (Chorus, ll.
1188-92; italics mine)
The fortune of the days gone by was true
good fortune--but today groans and destruction
and death and shame--or all ills can be named
not one is missing. (Messenger, ll. 1283-86;
italics mine)
You that live in my ancestral Thebes, behold
this Oedipus--him who knew the famous riddles
and was a man most masterful; not a citizen who
did not look
with envy on his lot--see him now and see the
breakers of misfortune swallow
him! Look upon that last day always. Count no
mortal happy till he has passed
the final limit of his life secure from pain.
(Chorus, ll. 1524-1530)
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