Alternate Personalities in Oedipus Rex
In most current literature, there is a clear division between the protagonist and the antagonist. One is a clear hero and one is a clear villain. However, in Oedipus Rex, this is not true. In Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex, the portrayal of Oedipus as both a hero and a villain impacts the envisioning of the audience as Oedipus, develops the audience members’ emotional bonds toward the character, and creates curiosity about what extent Oedipus deserved his fate.
Oedipus’ villainous persona isolates the audience from personal relation. For example, Oedipus brought the sickness upon Thebes. This is seen through as Oedipus gains knowledge about his past and who he truly is, the sickness upon Thebes lessens. However, …show more content…
The villainous persona creates Oedipus as deserving this fate. For example, Oedipus’ arrogance must be punished. When Oedipus denies the truth by saying “Now twice you have spat out infamy. You’ll pay for it!” to Teiresias, he is inviting the punishment (Sophocles, 1232). Although this principle was not prevalent in Greek society, Karma is the prime reason for the need of retribution. Karma is, in its simplest form, the idea that what goes around comes around and the universe will bring justice to all wrongs. Because the modern audience of Oedipus Rex is a more globally aware society than the original audience, Karma would be a principle that governs the mindset of the modern audience. However, the heroic styles give Oedipus redeeming qualities. For example, his last wish, before being exiled, is to be in the presence of his daughters one more time. This noble last wish to “… but touch them, they would be mine again, as when I had my eyes,” is an example of the tragic fate being carried out on a good person (Sophocles, 1260). The idea of Karma is once again present. This shows that Karma has been fulfilled, leading to the curiosity and confusion in the modern audience about if this severe Karmic retribution was …show more content…
Because there are 2 personalities of Oedipus, no true, separate antagonist is present. The undefined antagonist presents the question about the morals in all humans in society. This allows for humans to realize that they are not perfect beings, thus allowing Oedipus to be a guide to demonstrate the flaws of human nature. The tragic story’s evocation of pity and fear creates the bonds that help in the realization of Oedipus as a representation of society. The two personalities of Oedipus help to create the lasting effect of Oedipus Rex in
In most current literature, there is a clear division between the protagonist and the antagonist. One is a clear hero and one is a clear villain. However, in Oedipus Rex, this is not true. In Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex, the portrayal of Oedipus as both a hero and a villain impacts the envisioning of the audience as Oedipus, develops the audience members’ emotional bonds toward the character, and creates curiosity about what extent Oedipus deserved his fate.
Oedipus’ villainous persona isolates the audience from personal relation. For example, Oedipus brought the sickness upon Thebes. This is seen through as Oedipus gains knowledge about his past and who he truly is, the sickness upon Thebes lessens. However, …show more content…
The villainous persona creates Oedipus as deserving this fate. For example, Oedipus’ arrogance must be punished. When Oedipus denies the truth by saying “Now twice you have spat out infamy. You’ll pay for it!” to Teiresias, he is inviting the punishment (Sophocles, 1232). Although this principle was not prevalent in Greek society, Karma is the prime reason for the need of retribution. Karma is, in its simplest form, the idea that what goes around comes around and the universe will bring justice to all wrongs. Because the modern audience of Oedipus Rex is a more globally aware society than the original audience, Karma would be a principle that governs the mindset of the modern audience. However, the heroic styles give Oedipus redeeming qualities. For example, his last wish, before being exiled, is to be in the presence of his daughters one more time. This noble last wish to “… but touch them, they would be mine again, as when I had my eyes,” is an example of the tragic fate being carried out on a good person (Sophocles, 1260). The idea of Karma is once again present. This shows that Karma has been fulfilled, leading to the curiosity and confusion in the modern audience about if this severe Karmic retribution was …show more content…
Because there are 2 personalities of Oedipus, no true, separate antagonist is present. The undefined antagonist presents the question about the morals in all humans in society. This allows for humans to realize that they are not perfect beings, thus allowing Oedipus to be a guide to demonstrate the flaws of human nature. The tragic story’s evocation of pity and fear creates the bonds that help in the realization of Oedipus as a representation of society. The two personalities of Oedipus help to create the lasting effect of Oedipus Rex in