Oedipus Rex Tragedy Analysis

Register to read the introduction… By defination,the beginnig is that which does not presuppose anything else to have gone before it. Although Sophocles' play focuses attention only on the last day of Oedipus' long rule over Thebes, we do not feel the need of any information about what has gone before, when we read the prologue of the play. In fact earlier events are related by Jocasta and Oedipus in the liter part of the play. The middle is that which is necessary and logical sequence of the beginning. The first episode of "Oedipus Rex" is a logical and necessary development of the prologue. In the prologue, we learn of the basic situation, which is the problem of the terrible plague in Thebes for which the people expect king Oedipus to find a remedy.

The prologue also tells us about the directions of the Oracle of Delphi about the way in which the plague can be brought to an end. Immediately after the entry of the Chorus, Oedipus makes a proclamation before the gathered Thebans about the punishment to be given to the murderer of Laius,on whom he pronounces a curse also.

"I pray that that man's life be consumed in evil and wretchness.
As for me, this curse applies no less" …show more content…
The subject of this meeting is the message of the Oracle.Oedipus wishes to know how he can identify the murderer of Laius so that he may be banished from the Thebes as instructed by Teiresias.Similarly,every other episode is a logical and necessary sequence of what has gone before it in the play. The ending of the play satisfies all curiosity. It marks the completion of Oedipus' search for the murderer of Laius.At the same time it also provides the answer to Oedipus’ question about the identity of his