Choose six very powerful lines from the play, one for each category: plot, character, thought, diction, melody. Note where they appear in the play, so that you can refer to them later: lines that foreshadow later events, lines that reveal a conflict, lines that reveal a character’s personality, lines that explain why a character behaves that way, lives that refer to past events, lines that seem like sage advice. Prepare a brief explication of each of the lines chosen, relating them to the category, to the specific scene in which they appear, and to the work at large. You cannot have the same quotes.
Quote 1
Thought
ReplyDeletePage 1175, Scene 1 Lines 194-200
"Listen to me. You mock my blindness, do you? But I say that you, with both your eyes, are blind: You can not see the wretchedness of your life, Nor in whose house you live, no, nor the whom. Who are your father and mother? Can you tell me? You do not even know the blind wrongs"
Thought is to reveal character and insight into the plot. I think this conveys to the reader the importance of Teiresias as the blind seer. Teiresias is claiming that Oedipus is blind even though he has both his eyes contributing to the idea that one can understand and see more without his eyes. He is telling Oedipus that he is just as powerful as Oedipus is and he can see more than Oedipus even can. I think this will add to a recurring theme through the story that Oedipus isn't seeing things for how they are, but just what he wants to see with his eyes.
Page 1174, lines 149 and 150, Teiresias, diction.
ReplyDelete"I say you live in hideous shame with those most dear to you. You cannot see the evil."
It is known that Teiresias the seer is blind, and is often sent to those of higher power to reveal prophecies and unknown knowledge. In this quote Teiresias tells Oedipus that he is the one who cannot see. By using the word choice "see" the author emphasizes his concepts of irony, as the blind man is the only one who could truly see. Also, when one uses the word "hideous" it is usually in relation to how something looks. Despite being blind Teiresias can still 'see' how hideous Oedipus is.
Character: Oedipus, though he has a strong hero complex, strongly believes in justice. Upon finding out similarities in the stories of a man he killed, and the previous King getting killed, he realized that he may be the murder he has been speaking. Upon realizing this Oedipus says “I must be shunned by all.” Despite being the reigning king, Oedipus is willing to accept the punishment that would come to any man who murdered a king. Despite Oedipus’s seemingly large ego, he is willing to be humble enough to demonstrate his regret through isolation for the country and the gods. This demonstrates that Oedipus does not believe that the rules do not apply him as many rulers and kings do. This creates a sort of sympathy for Oedipus rather than the repulsion one would have from a murder. This creates conflict for the city that seeks his help, and who have constantly seen him as a hero. This is also damaging to Oedipus’ previously large ego because he now is possibly a criminal. This is an extremely humbling moment Oedipus after living a life in glory. Further in the story, Oedipus may be more receptive to other’s because of this realization.
ReplyDeleteIn scene one Oedipus consults with Teiresias, a blind seer. Oedipus is anxious to discover the truth of the identity of the man who killed King Laios. Oedipus wants to avenge the death of King Laios in order to stop the plagues and death that is wrecking Thebes. Teiresias tells Oedipus that he killed King Laios, who was his father. Teiresias tells him that he is now married to his mother. However, at first Teiresias refuses to tell Oedipus anything. Teiresias tells him,
ReplyDelete"How dreadful knowledge of the truth can be When there's no help in the truth(line 101-102 Scene I)!"
Teirsias' words are foreshadowing and seem to be a sage piece of advice. Oedipus is looking for the "truth" of the Laios' death, but he does not realize how "dreadful" it will be to know it. Teresias tells him the truth; he tells him that he killed his father and married his mother. The "truth" is "dreadful." Teresias' words foreshadow the horrible truth of Laios' death that the audience finds out later. The last sentence may also be foreshadowing what is going to happen. Oedipus can not change what has happened. There is "no help in the truth." It might also be a foreshadowing of Oedipus' failure to save the people of Thebes from his own doing. Teiresias' words also sound like a piece of advice. I think many people would agree that the"knowledge of truth" can be "dreadful." Sometimes it might be better to not know something terrible and horrendous.
Page 1175, Lines 195-196, Diction
ReplyDelete"Listen to me. You mock my blindness, do you? But I say that you, with both your eyes, are blind:"
Oedipus is not literally blind like Teiresias is. Teiresias refers to Oedipus being mentally blind in the sense that he does not know what bad he is actually doing. Blind can have two meanings. Blind in the sense of being literally blind and unable to see things, and then there is being blind to your own actions. Oedipus is definitely not the most observant person in the play and Teiresias seems to figure this out sooner than anyone. He also gives some hints into the plot of the story. We can infer that Teiresias already knows that Oedipus killed his father, but is blind to this fact.
Lines 40-44 Melody
ReplyDelete"But all eyes fail before time's eye,
All actions come to justice here.
Though never willed, though far down the deep past,
Your bed, your dread sirings,
Are brought to book at last."
The chorus has summarized all that has happened to Oedipus. They summarize what he has done and how he is being viewed now. In this particular line they present the theme about justice. Everyone will be dealt what they deserve by justice in the end. It does not matter how long it takes for time is patient.
Character “My spirit groans for city and myself and you at once” This explicitly illustrates the type of character Oedipus is in the play. He genuinely cares about his city and the people that inhabit it. But maybe his concern stretches a bit too far. Thus, entering his hero complex where Oedipus believes he needs to help and save everyone by himself. He can not rest until his people are safe, which is why he pursues the mystery of Laios’ death in the first place. Overall, Oedipus’ character is that of a King who would do anything to save his people, even if it eventually leads to his demise.
ReplyDeletePlot:
ReplyDelete"And on the murderer this curse I lay
(On him and all the partners in his guilt):--(244-253)"
This quote sets the Plot of Oedipus Rex in motion: he sets out to solve the mystery of Laius’s murder with extreme determination. However, what he fails to realize is he in fact is the culprit, and he inadvertently cursed himself to a lifetime of suffering.
yes
ReplyDelete