Oedipus Essay, Research Paper
Oedipus Rex- Quest for knowledge – Was it really worth it?
by Sophocles
One of the most memorable and meaningful Socratic quotes applies well when in context of Sophocles’ Theban Trilogy. “The unexamined life is not worth living,” proclaims Socrates. He could have meant many things by this statement, and in relation to the play, the meaning is found to be even more complex. In the situation of Oedipus, king of Thebes, the truth of this statement is in question. Would Oedipus have been better off if he was blind to the knowledge of his birth and the fate which was doomed to someday come true? Truly though, his life would have been a far better and an easier path had he never known about his true origins. His life in Corinth would have been long and prosperous, and Thebes would have lived on under King Laius. In fact, everyone would have been better off in the long run if Oedipus had not ventured out beyond the walls
of Corinth. So is it worth living an examined life?
Socrates had made this statement long after the creation of the Theban Trilogy. In the context of his own time, this was meant to imply that life must be examined and reflected upon, known and discovered by each individual philosopher to better enrich life for all. In Oedipus Rex, Sophocles intent for this quote was portrayed in a different way. The unexamined life was one that was in the dark, unknown as to what fate lied beyond every turn and irony of living. Oedipus, up to the point in which he heard the comment in the tavern in Corinth, lived an unexamined life. To
Socrates, he was an unfulfilled man, one who deserved to know more,
one who not complete. However, in a much lessspiritual sense,
Oedipus’ life was complete, in that he had all that he needed, and was
living a happy and productive life. As the drama progresses, he finds
out more and more, learning exactly what the implications of his birth
was, he suffers the fate for examining his life. So what Socrates
had meant, that the life which was not rich with self exploration and
reflection was not worth living, was different than its use in terms of Oedipus, who’s life was unexamined, yet complete.
The question arises, what would life have been like, if Oedipus had not discovered his true origins? If he had stayed in Corinth, would this have ever happened? Maybe they would be no story, if not for that one comment from the old man which sparked rebellion in the young prince Oedipus. He
ventured out to Delphi, to find knowledge of his background out of it, and to discover if this was the truth, despite the fact that his adopted parents of Corinth had assured him of it falseness. Oedipus leaves Corinth, fulfilling the Socratic idea of the unexamined life. However, he must evaluate the eventual consequences of his actions and the suspicions which they uphold. What becomes of his fateful journey out of Corinth leads to the downfall of an entire city and family line. If he had not murdered King Laius, the Sphinx would have never lowered his attention onThebes, he would have never fulfilled the pophecy, and all would have lived on in peace and tranquillity.
Once examining these aspects of the relationship between the quote and Oedipus Rex, we can come to a final examination of its implications. The question which was addressed, that of the value of the examined life, can be answered. If Oedipus had not ventured beyond the protective walls of his adopted home, would anything such as what occurred in the play ever have happened? If Oedipus had not pursued that answers to the mysteries that plagued him, despite the pleading warnings of Giocasta, in fact his life would have been contented and happy. Instead, he follows the Socratic
method of exploration and discovery, and proceeds down the path of pain and distraught. Was, after it was over, all worth it? I believe that no, it was not. Being content and suited with what he knew of himself would have saved Oedipus and his children/siblings much agony. However, in the typical Greek tragedy, we must see his fall from grace through, which is what happens in the end.
With the shield of his ignorance, much pain and difficulty is prevented. What kind of worries would an ignorant man have? In the case of Oedipus, ignorance would have suited him fine. The Socratic quote “the unexamined life is not worth living” certainly doesn’t hold true in the case of Oedipus Rex. While it may hold importance and a substantial meaning for our own lives, in the case of Oedipus Rex, he would have been better off without it. As a matter of fact, while the unexamined life is poor in a spiratual sense, Oedipus would have truly been fine without it. The unexamined life is a simple one, and he would have lived a long and happy life, never discovering the true nature of his birth, not even caring.
316
Другие работы по теме:
Oedipus The King Essay Research Paper 3
Oedipus The King Essay, Research Paper 3. How Sophocles? Oedipus the King fits the description of tragedy provided by Aristotle? Why does Aristotle believe tragedy is superior to epic poetry?
Tragedy As Defined By Sophecle Essay Research
Paper Oedipus Rex by Sophocles is the definition of Greek tragedy. All elements of Greek tragedy can be found in Oedipus Rex. The main character, Oedipus, King of Thebes, is a male of noble birth with noble characteristics. He is brave, “You saved us from the Sphinx,” (38-39), he is loyal “You shall see how I stand by you…to avenge the city and the city’s god,” (137-138), and he is caring “…But my spirit groans for the city, for myself and for you,” (65-66).
Oedipus Deserved His Fate Essay Research Paper
(note: this paper was presented in a debate, hence the referance to “the negative side”) Today the negative side will try to declare that it was Sophocles’ intention that we regard Oedipus as a good man. But if he was good, why do we never see him in the act of being good? He accuses Tiresias and Creon, two formerly blameless men, of conspiring to dethrone him and take over the country.
Oedipus Essay Research Paper battles against Centaurs
Oedipus Essay, Research Paper battles against Centaurs, Amazons, also friezes of Athena figthing the giants. Interestingly these sculptures are all of either battle or celebrations, this in way show cased the Athenian ambitions.
Hiding From Destiny Essay Research Paper Hiding
Hiding From Destiny Essay, Research Paper Hiding From Destiny Running from your problems, is not a method of solving them. This is advice I have received several times since I started school. I believe that, Oedipus, would be liked to have had this wonderful advice in his life. The protagonist, in our play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, learned this, the hard way.
Oedipus Rex 4 Essay Research Paper Essay
Oedipus Rex 4 Essay, Research Paper Essay- Oedipus the King by Sophocles According to Aristotle, the protagonist in a tragedy must have a tragic flaw that ultimately becomes the cause of his ruin. Oedipus in Oedipus the King by Sophocles tragic flaw that caused his downfall was his pride. Three examples of when Oedipus pride got the better of him were: when he left his adopted parents in Cornith, the second is when he goes against Creon, and the third is when Oedipus is demanding that the messenger tell him all he knows about who his real parents are.
Oedipus Rex Essay Research Paper Oedipus RexSophocles
Oedipus Rex Essay, Research Paper Oedipus Rex Sophocles’ Oedipus the King perpetuates this ideology that the title character pursues a path which happens to be foretold. Oedipus was determined to save his city and discover his identity, however he ultimately assists in his own downfall. Oedipus’ fall from his kingly status was not by accident or because of some other person.
OedipusS Misfortunes Essay Research Paper Oedipuss MisfortunesWho
Oedipus?S Misfortunes Essay, Research Paper Oedipus?s Misfortunes Who is responsible for the misfortunes of Oedipus? Is it because of the careless way his parents, Laius and Jocasta handle problems, the disobedience of the Shepard, fate, the gods or Oedipus himself? Even though many people contribute to Oedipus downfall he is ultimately responsible.
Oedipus Rex Essay Research Paper OedipusIn the
Oedipus Rex Essay, Research Paper Oedipus In the play ?Oedipus the King?, the main character, Oedipus tries intensively to figure out the truth about himself. There were many instances where Oedipus was looking for the truth but instead was led away from it. As Oedipus searches the city of Thebes for the truth, his ruin is ironically mentioned and foreshadowed in the narrative.
The Theban Plays Essay Research Paper Throughout
The Theban Plays Essay, Research Paper Throughout, The Theban Plays Creon remained an important character. From the first play King Oedipus through the second play Oedipus at Colonus Creon displayed a dramatic change in his character. A change in Creon?s personality was noticeable when the truth about Oedipus was revealed.
Oedipus 3 Essay Research Paper The Greek
Oedipus 3 Essay, Research Paper The Greek tragedy of Oedipus illustrates dramatic irony through Oedipus’ noble birth which is unknown to him and his fall from the throne due to his fate and excessive pride.
Oedipus Paper Essay Research Paper One of
Oedipus Paper Essay, Research Paper One of Oedipus greatest qualities as a leader was his ability to solve problems. The reason that Oedipus, not even a native of Thebes, became the king of that land was due to the great intelligence and strength shown in his defeat of the Sphinx. He was able to save the Thebans from that problem, so when the city again needs help, Oedipus is very willing to show his strength again.
Oedipus Rex Essay Research Paper There have
Oedipus Rex Essay, Research Paper There have been many tragedies throughout history, including Sophocles play Oedipus Rex. I utterly agree with Aristotle in saying that Oedipus Rex, is one such tragedy. Through the plot, character and thoughts it is evident the Oedipus Rex is a model tragedy.
Oedipus Rex Essay Research Paper Oedipus RexCharacters
Oedipus Rex Essay, Research Paper Oedipus Rex Characters in the play Oedipus the King attempt to block the horrible outcome of the gods? oracle. The first people to do so were Oedipus? mother and father, Laius and Jocasta. After hearing the unmoral and disruptive prediction, they attempted to execute their own child.
Biography Of Oedipus Essay Research Paper Oedipys
Biography Of Oedipus Essay, Research Paper Oedipys’s date of birth is unknown. He was born to Polybus and Merope, but Jocasta is his real mother. Oedipus was born in Thebes, but he spent most of his adult life in Corinth. Due to some mistakes that Oedipus makes prior to the start of the play, trouble seems to surround him later.
Oedipus Essay Research Paper Oedipus is a
Oedipus Essay, Research Paper Oedipus is a blind old man. He is the son of a former king of Thebes. His father?s name was Laius and his mother was Jocasta, the former queen. In the previous tragedy, Oedipus inadvertently killed his father and married his mother. He had four kids with his wife. Moreover, his wife/mother was going through a lot of stress so she decided to hang herself.
Oedipus Essay Research Paper OedipusEven though
Oedipus Essay, Research Paper Oedipus Even though “fate” seems to determine Oedipus’ life, he does, in fact, have a free will. His choices brought the prophecy to life. Only his decisions (not influenced by anybody) he made. Of course those decisions were in side of the limits set by fate. When Oedipus heard a prophesy that his going to kill his father and sleep with his mother he ran away, even when he new there were suspicions of him being the real son of his parents.
More Tragic Oedipus Or Antigone Essay Research
Paper Sophocles was a master of tragedy, there?s no argument there. But which of the 2 plays we?ve studied, Oedipus the King and Antigone, is the more tragic? I believe that Oedipus the King was more intensely tragic and I
A Hopeless Fate Essay Research Paper It
A Hopeless Fate Essay, Research Paper It was once said by Ralph Waldo Emmerson, Where there is no vision, a people perish. In Sophecles Greek tragedy, Oedipus Rex, the oracle advised Oedipus that he was tomurder his father and marry his mother. As a result, Oedipus tried to change his fate. Oedipus, Jocasta, and Tiresias all demonstrated the concept of blindness in Oedipus Rex.
Fate Vs Free Will In Oedipus Essay
, Research Paper FREE WILL VS. FATE IN OEDIPUS REX The great philosopher Socrates believes that humans rule themselves with a combination of fate and free will. In Oedipus Rex a combination of fate and free will
Oedipus Essay Research Paper Jocasta doesn
Oedipus Essay, Research Paper Jocasta doesn’t understand her husband’s concern about the details of Laius’ death. When she asks Oedipus why he wants to see the servant, he responds, I can hold nothing back from you, now I’ve reached this pitch of dark foreboding. Oedipus goes on to give the history of his childhood, as referenced in the fourth summary.
Blindness In Oedipus Rex Essay Research Paper
Blindness in “Oedipus the King” In Sophocles’ play, “Oedipus the King”, one of the main themes is blindness. The author uses physical blindness, as well as intellectual blindness to illustrate Oedipus’ status
Sight
& Blindness Imagery In Oedipus Rex Essay, Research Paper Sight and blindness Imagery in ?Oedipus Rex? In this play written by Sophocles called Oedipus Rex, sight/blindness imagery is used as a form of ignorance. In this play, there is allot of ignorance. Some examples of this are when Oedipus talks with Tiresias about who had killed Laius, and when he discovers the truth about his love and about his parents.
Fate Overpowers Free Will Oedipus The King
) Essay, Research Paper Concerning the question of fate vs. free will, Sophocles felt that a person has no control over the course of his life. In the play Oedipus the King, Oedipus is a great example of Sophocles’ belief that fate will control a man’s life no matter how much free will exists in the man’s heart.
The Blindness In Oedipus Rex Essay Research
Paper The Blindness in Oedipus Rex In the play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, the minor character of Tiresias is responsible for foreshadowing Oedipus fate, developing the theme of blindness, and also illustrating dramatic irony. Tiresias is responsible for further developing the theme of blindness, by using his own physical blindness to reveal to Oedipus his mental blindness.
Asefasdf Essay Research Paper Oedipus the King
Asefasdf Essay, Research Paper Oedipus the King by Sophocles Sophocles “Oedipus the King” is a tragic play which discusses the tragic discovery of Oedipus that he has killed his father and married his mother. The story of Oedipus (2 page)
Oedipus Rex Essay Research Paper In Sophocles 2
Oedipus Rex Essay, Research Paper In Sophocles? Oedipus Rex, dramatic irony is often present in Oedipus? long speeches. Oedipus constantly sees things incorrectly, and is in denial that he
Oedipus The King 3 Essay Research Paper
Oedipus the King Ankle Theory The classification of Oedipus the King as a tragedy requires it to meet certain criteria pertaining to the main character, Oedipus. Oedipus must have no control over the situation which he is in, he has to have been harmed by someone for doing nothing or doing what is just, and he must come to an end in which he is utterly lost, or dies without resolving the situation.
Macbeth And Oedipus Rex Essay Research Paper
Macbeth and Oedipus Rex Analysis Oedipus Rex and Macbeth are both tragic plays. They have many similarities and differences. Some of them are in the role of fate, the characters, and the setting and the
Oedipus Rex Essay Research Paper Oedipus RexIn
Oedipus Rex Essay, Research Paper Oedipus Rex In the story of Oedipus Rex, Sophocles portrays the main character, Oedipus, as a good natured person that has bad judgment and frailty. Oedipus