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English Assignment Discussion prompts and documentation practice Ode IV sums up the truth of Oedipus’ identity the play reveals. How are we meant to respond to this revelation and to the character of Oedipus? Answer : In the beginning, Oedipus was known as a magnificent character but soon after some negative events, his fate has changed and has fallen from his glory. He used have great power over Thebes, unfortunately, after his destiny, Oedipus realizes he has tainted his population while he was king.
It is for that reason that he is considered like a slave or belongs to the lower class because of what he has done. Quotes “Your splendor is all fallen” (Ode IV, l. 9) “His fortunes are most changed, his state, fallen to a low slave’s. ” (Ode IV, l. 29-30) “The great door that expelled you to the light, gave night- ah gave night to your glory. ” (Ode IV l. 34-35) 2. In the Exodus, the dramatic scene of Iocaste’s suicide and Oedipus discovery of the body is described by the messenger rather than presented in an actual scene.
What is the effect of Sophocles choice to present it ‘offstage’? Answer : To give a better description of the outlook of her death and Oedipus’ reaction to her death, also to let the spectators create their own image of the scene instead of them just watching it, it makes them think of how the scene would have played. It makes them gather all the crucial information and details from the messenger’s monologue in order to create their own conclusion in their minds.
Also, you can notice in the messenger’s tone of voice and the way he’s describing the story, he’s purposely evoking a horrified reaction to the audience. What does the act of self-blinding signify to Oedipus’ characterization? Answer : He literally blinded himself from his fate which he now knows is a sin against both his parents. He is trying to hide his own knowledge by not visually facing his crimes and his sins. Now he can not “face men in their eyes” and admit of his wrong-doings.
Now that he is admitted to his crime, he’s too ashamed to look at other men with his eyes, which is why he blinded himself. In what way does Oedipus’ monologue in line 140-185 (Exodus) develop his characterization? Answer : Oedipus believes that blinding himself was just a cause since he didn’t know how we could bear the sight of his father and mother in the after life, who he had betrayed. He also thinks that sight of his children would disgust him and so he blinded himself. He wishes he died when he was abandoned on the mountain and believed that his fate was like a disease that lived inside him.
He wants to be punished for his actions by the gods by being killed, thrown in the sea so another man wouldn’t have to look at him and see his guilt or embarrassment. How does Creon define Oedipus in the Exodus? Find at least 2 actual words to show this? Answer: Although Creon believes that Oedipus brought upon his destruction, he still respects him and grants Oedipus’ final wishes, which is for Creon to give his mother a proper burial, to take care of his daughters as well as send him far away from Thebes.
Creon says that although the gods dislike him they will grant his wish, to be expelled for Thebes. Quotes : He calls Oedipus a “pollution” (Exodus, l. 196) and a “parricide” (Exodus, l. 211) he also says that Oedipus “served [his] own destruction” (Exodus, l. 291). What is purpose of the appearance of Oedipus’ daughters at the end? Answer : Oedipus wants to wish his daughters good-bye since he believes that they aren’t strong enough to live without their father.
He wishes to touch them, since he is blind, touching them would be like they were his again The entrance of his daughters can be seen as a reason for him to stay, to love and protects his children, as well a reason for him to leave since he has sinned upon them by creating them with his mother. They are the only remnants of his past life, a life he wishes to treasure and discard. He tells the girls of their lives after he has left Thebes and it will be tainted since no one will want to marry them or even speak to them due to the curse of their father.