Oedipus Rex - Revision history

Glucas: Tense! Fixed many errors, added some links

2006-06-25T15:17:16Z

Tense! Fixed many errors, added some links

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:17, 25 June 2006
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	[[Image:Oedipus.png\|thumb\|Oedipus and the Sphinx]]''Oedipus the King'', by the tragedian [[Sophocles]], is based on a legend deeply rooted in the cultural identity of Athens. The myth of Oedipus contains a historical and religious authority based on the cultural values of an oral tradition. It concerns the relationship between humans and their gods and, perhaps more importantly, primal hopes and fears that unearth a terror and despair normally buried in human consciousness. Oedipus is a typical Athenian who commits the most egregious of human taboos: incest and patricide. Within the character of Oedipus are both the faults and virtues of the Athenian people. Some critics suggest that Oedipus might be a warning to Athenians that have ushered in a new era of intellectualism.		[[Image:Oedipus.png\|thumb\|Oedipus and the Sphinx]]''Oedipus the King'', by the tragedian [[Sophocles]], is based on a legend deeply rooted in the cultural identity of [[Athens]]. The [[myth]] of [[Oedipus]] contains a historical and religious authority based on the cultural values of an [[oral tradition]]. It concerns the relationship between humans and their [[gods]] and, perhaps more importantly, primal hopes and fears that unearth a terror and despair normally buried in human consciousness. Oedipus is a typical Athenian who commits the most egregious of human taboos: incest and patricide. Within the character of Oedipus are both the faults and virtues of the Athenian people. Some critics suggest that Oedipus might be a warning to Athenians that have ushered in a new era of intellectualism.

	== ~~Summary~~ ==		== The Oedipus Myth ==

	Oedipus, in Greek mythology, king of Thebes, is the son of Laius and Jocasta, king and queen of Thebes. Laius was warned by an oracle that he would be killed by his own son and his son would be brother and father to his children. Determined to avert his fate, Laius ~~pierced~~ and ~~bound together~~ the feet of his newborn child and ~~left~~ him to die on a lonely mountain. The infant ~~was~~ rescued by a shepherd, however, and given to Polybus, king of Corinth, who ~~named~~ the child Oedipus (swollen foot) and ~~raised~~ him as his own son. The boy ~~did~~ not know that he ~~was~~ adopted, and when an oracle ~~proclaimed~~ that he would kill his father and marry his mother, he ~~left~~ Corinth. In the course of his wanderings he ~~met~~ and ~~killed~~ Laius, not knowing at the time that Laius is the ~~king~~ and his father~~, because he believed that the group of travelers were a band of robbers~~. In doing ~~this act~~ he unwillingly ~~fulfilled~~ the prophecy ~~of his own fate~~.		Oedipus, in Greek mythology, king of Thebes, is the son of [[Laius]] and [[Jocasta]], king and queen of Thebes. Laius was warned by an oracle that he would be killed by his own son and that his son would be brother and father to his children. Determined to avert his fate, Laius pierces and binds the feet of his newborn child and leaves him to die on a lonely mountain. The infant is rescued by a shepherd, however, and given to Polybus, king of Corinth, who names the child [[Oedipus]] (swollen foot) and raises him as his own son. The boy does not know that he is adopted, and when an oracle proclaims that he would kill his father and marry his mother, he leaves [[Corinth]]. In the course of his wanderings he meet and kills Laius, not knowing at the time that Laius is the King of Thebes and his father. In doing so, he unwillingly fulfills the prophecy.

	Lonely and homeless, Oedipus arrives at Thebes, which was beset by a dreadful monster called the Sphinx. The frightful creature ~~frequented~~ the roads to the city, killing and devouring all travelers who could not answer the riddle that she ~~put~~ to them: What walks on four legs in the morning, on two legs at noon, and on three legs in the evening? ~~The answer was a human being, who in infancy crawls on all fours, in adulthood walks upright on two legs, and in old age uses a cane.~~ When Oedipus ~~solved~~ her riddle, the Sphinx ~~killed~~ herself. Believing that King Laius ~~had~~ been slain by unknown robbers, and grateful to Oedipus for ridding them of the Sphinx, the Thebans rewarded Oedipus by making him their king and giving him Queen Jocasta as his wife. For many years the couple ~~lived~~ in happiness, not knowing that they ~~were~~ really mother and son.		Lonely and homeless, Oedipus arrives at Thebes, which was beset by a dreadful monster called the [[Sphinx]]. The frightful creature frequents the roads to the city, killing and devouring all travelers who could not answer the riddle that she puts to them: "What walks on four legs in the morning, on two legs at noon, and on three legs in the evening?" When Oedipus solves her riddle, the Sphinx kills herself. Believing that King Laius has been slain by unknown robbers, and grateful to Oedipus for ridding them of the Sphinx, the Thebans rewarded Oedipus by making him their king and giving him Queen Jocasta as his wife. Together they have four children: [[Polynices]], [[Eteocles]], [[Ismene]], and [[Antigone]], his own offspring and yet his brothers and sisters. For many years the couple live in happiness, not knowing that they are really mother and son.

	Then a terrible plague ~~descended~~ on the land, and an oracle ~~proclaimed~~ that Laius's murderer must be punished. Oedipus soon ~~discovered~~ that he ~~had~~ unknowingly killed his father. In grief and despair at her incestuous life, Jocasta ~~killed~~ herself, and when Oedipus ~~realized that she was dead and that their children were accursed, he gouged~~ out his eyes and ~~relinquished~~ the throne. He ~~lived~~ in Thebes for several years but ~~was~~ finally banished. Accompanied by his daughter Antigone, he ~~wandered~~ for many years. He finally ~~arrived~~ at Colonus, a shrine near Athens sacred to the powerful goddesses called the Eumenides. Oedipus ~~died~~ at this shrine, after the god Apollo ~~had promised~~ him that the place of his death would remain sacred and would bring great benefit to the city of Athens, which had given shelter to the wanderer.		Then a terrible plague descends on the land, and an oracle proclaims that Laius' murderer must be punished. Oedipus soon discovers that he has unknowingly killed his father. In grief and despair at her incestuous life, Jocasta kills herself and when Oedipus gouges out his eyes and relinquishes the throne. He lives in Thebes for several years, but is finally banished. Accompanied by his daughter Antigone, he wanders for many years. He finally arrivs at [[Colonus]], a shrine near Athens sacred to the powerful goddesses called the [[Eumenides]]. Oedipus dies at this shrine, after the god [[Apollo]] promises him that the place of his death would remain sacred and would bring great benefit to the city of Athens, which had given shelter to the wanderer.

	==Characters==		== Major Characters ==
	* [[Oedipus]]		* [[Oedipus]]
	* [[Jocasta]]		* [[Jocasta]]
	* [[King Laius]]
	* [[Sphinx]]
	* [[Creon]]		* [[Creon]]
			* [[Tiresias]]

	== Free Will versus Fate ==		== Free Will versus Fate ==

Glucas: Cleaned up a lot of formatting. Still many issues.

2006-06-25T14:56:32Z

Cleaned up a lot of formatting. Still many issues.

Show changes

Kroyal: /* Characters in the Book */

2006-06-20T20:33:41Z

Characters in the Book

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:33, 20 June 2006
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	* [[King Laius]]		* [[King Laius]]
	* [[Sphinx]]		* [[Sphinx]]
			* [[Creon]]

	== Character Traits ==		== Character Traits ==

Kroyal: /* Characters in the Book */

2006-06-20T20:12:59Z

Characters in the Book

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:12, 20 June 2006
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	* [[Jocasta]]		* [[Jocasta]]
	* [[King Laius]]		* [[King Laius]]
			* [[Sphinx]]

	== Character Traits ==		== Character Traits ==

Kroyal: /* Characters in the Book */

2006-06-20T20:05:57Z

Characters in the Book

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:05, 20 June 2006
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	==Characters in the Book==		==Characters in the Book==
	* [[Jocasta]]		* [[Jocasta]]
			* [[King Laius]]

	== Character Traits ==		== Character Traits ==

Kroyal: /* Characters in the Book */

2006-06-20T19:52:11Z

Characters in the Book

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:52, 20 June 2006
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	==Characters in the Book==		==Characters in the Book==
			* [[Jocasta]]

	== Character Traits ==		== Character Traits ==

Kroyal: /* Character Traits */

2006-06-20T19:51:26Z

Character Traits

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:51, 20 June 2006
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	Then a terrible plague descended on the land, and an oracle proclaimed that Laius's murderer must be punished. Oedipus soon discovered that he had unknowingly killed his father. In grief and despair at her incestuous life, Jocasta killed herself, and when Oedipus realized that she was dead and that their children were accursed, he gouged out his eyes and relinquished the throne. He lived in Thebes for several years but was finally banished. Accompanied by his daughter Antigone, he wandered for many years. He finally arrived at Colonus, a shrine near Athens sacred to the powerful goddesses called the Eumenides. Oedipus died at this shrine, after the god Apollo had promised him that the place of his death would remain sacred and would bring great benefit to the city of Athens, which had given shelter to the wanderer.		Then a terrible plague descended on the land, and an oracle proclaimed that Laius's murderer must be punished. Oedipus soon discovered that he had unknowingly killed his father. In grief and despair at her incestuous life, Jocasta killed herself, and when Oedipus realized that she was dead and that their children were accursed, he gouged out his eyes and relinquished the throne. He lived in Thebes for several years but was finally banished. Accompanied by his daughter Antigone, he wandered for many years. He finally arrived at Colonus, a shrine near Athens sacred to the powerful goddesses called the Eumenides. Oedipus died at this shrine, after the god Apollo had promised him that the place of his death would remain sacred and would bring great benefit to the city of Athens, which had given shelter to the wanderer.

			==Characters in the Book==
	== Character Traits ==		== Character Traits ==

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	Oedipus falls because of the man that he is, not through some random event in nature or fated outcome. His self-discovery comes at a huge cost: his own destruction. Although the oracle predicts what Oedipus will do, it does not determine the latter’s actions. Oedipus has erred in his faith in human intelligence; there are powers in the universe that are beyond our control and our understanding.		Oedipus falls because of the man that he is, not through some random event in nature or fated outcome. His self-discovery comes at a huge cost: his own destruction. Although the oracle predicts what Oedipus will do, it does not determine the latter’s actions. Oedipus has erred in his faith in human intelligence; there are powers in the universe that are beyond our control and our understanding.

	Aristotle mentions ''Oedipus'' eleven times in his ''Poetics''. Aristotle’s obvious favor of Sophocles’ play suggests that it is the measure of all [[tragedy]].		Aristotle mentions ''Oedipus'' eleven times in his ''Poetics''. Aristotle’s obvious favor of Sophocles’ play suggests that it is the measure of all [[tragedy]].

	== Free Will versus Fate ==		== Free Will versus Fate ==

Shess: revisions and modifications to summary

2006-06-20T11:00:29Z

revisions and modifications to summary

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:00, 20 June 2006
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	== Summary ==		== Summary ==

	Oedipus, in Greek mythology, king of Thebes, the son of Laius and Jocasta, king and queen of Thebes. Laius was warned by an oracle that he would be killed by his own son. Determined to avert his fate, Laius pierced and bound together the feet of his newborn child and left him to die on a lonely mountain. The infant was rescued by a shepherd, however, and given to Polybus, king of Corinth, who named the child Oedipus (swollen foot) and raised him as his own son. The boy did not know that he was adopted, and when an oracle proclaimed that he would kill his father, he left Corinth. In the course of his wanderings he met and killed Laius, ~~believing~~ that the king and his ~~followers~~ were a band of robbers~~, and thus without knowing~~ fulfilled the prophecy.		Oedipus, in Greek mythology, king of Thebes, is the son of Laius and Jocasta, king and queen of Thebes. Laius was warned by an oracle that he would be killed by his own son and his son would be brother and father to his children. Determined to avert his fate, Laius pierced and bound together the feet of his newborn child and left him to die on a lonely mountain. The infant was rescued by a shepherd, however, and given to Polybus, king of Corinth, who named the child Oedipus (swollen foot) and raised him as his own son. The boy did not know that he was adopted, and when an oracle proclaimed that he would kill his father and marry his mother, he left Corinth. In the course of his wanderings he met and killed Laius, not knowing at the time that Laius is the king and his father, because he believed that the group of travelers were a band of robbers. In doing this act he unwillingly fulfilled the prophecy of his own fate.
	Lonely and homeless, Oedipus arrived at Thebes, which was beset by a dreadful monster called the Sphinx. The frightful creature frequented the roads to the city, killing and devouring all travelers who could not answer the riddle that she put to them: What walks on four legs in the morning, on two legs at noon, and on three legs in the evening? The answer was a human being, who in infancy crawls on all fours, in adulthood walks upright on two legs, and in old age uses a cane. When Oedipus solved her riddle, the Sphinx killed herself. Believing that King Laius had been slain by unknown robbers, and grateful to Oedipus for ridding them of the Sphinx, the Thebans rewarded Oedipus by making him their king and giving him Queen Jocasta as his wife. For many years the couple lived in happiness, not knowing that they were really mother and son.		Lonely and homeless, Oedipus arrived at Thebes, which was beset by a dreadful monster called the Sphinx. The frightful creature frequented the roads to the city, killing and devouring all travelers who could not answer the riddle that she put to them: What walks on four legs in the morning, on two legs at noon, and on three legs in the evening? The answer was a human being, who in infancy crawls on all fours, in adulthood walks upright on two legs, and in old age uses a cane. When Oedipus solved her riddle, the Sphinx killed herself. Believing that King Laius had been slain by unknown robbers, and grateful to Oedipus for ridding them of the Sphinx, the Thebans rewarded Oedipus by making him their king and giving him Queen Jocasta as his wife. For many years the couple lived in happiness, not knowing that they were really mother and son.
	Then a terrible plague descended on the land, and ~~the~~ oracle proclaimed that Laius's murderer must be punished. Oedipus soon discovered that he had unknowingly killed his father. In grief and despair at her incestuous life, Jocasta killed herself, and when Oedipus realized that she was dead and that their children were accursed, he ~~put~~ out his eyes and relinquished the throne. He lived in Thebes for several years but was finally banished. Accompanied by his daughter Antigone, he wandered for many years. He finally arrived at Colonus, a shrine near Athens sacred to the powerful goddesses called the Eumenides. Oedipus died at this shrine, after the god Apollo had promised him that the place of his death would remain sacred and would bring great benefit to the city of Athens, which had given shelter to the wanderer.		Then a terrible plague descended on the land, and an oracle proclaimed that Laius's murderer must be punished. Oedipus soon discovered that he had unknowingly killed his father. In grief and despair at her incestuous life, Jocasta killed herself, and when Oedipus realized that she was dead and that their children were accursed, he gouged out his eyes and relinquished the throne. He lived in Thebes for several years but was finally banished. Accompanied by his daughter Antigone, he wandered for many years. He finally arrived at Colonus, a shrine near Athens sacred to the powerful goddesses called the Eumenides. Oedipus died at this shrine, after the god Apollo had promised him that the place of his death would remain sacred and would bring great benefit to the city of Athens, which had given shelter to the wanderer.

	== Character Traits ==		== Character Traits ==

168.16.190.150: /* Summary */

2005-10-23T23:05:54Z

Summary

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:05, 23 October 2005
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	== Summary ==		== Summary ==

	~~There is a plague~~ in Thebes~~. Oedipus has sent Creon to find out news from the gods how they can get rid of the plague. When Creon returns~~, ~~he tells them that Apollo told them to get rid of~~ the ~~murderers~~ of Laius, ~~their first~~ king. ~~Oedipus wants to find out who killed him so they call on the prophet Tiresias. He tells them~~ that ~~Oedipus is the murderer. Oedipus is offended by this nonsense, and after intense arguing, he sends the prophet home. Oedipus then starts arguing with Creon, because~~ he ~~blames him for what has happened. Jocasta enters the room and stops them from arguing. Jocasta tells Oedipus that the prophets told her that her husband~~ would be killed by ~~their child~~, and the ~~slave told them this did not happen either because he~~ was ~~killed~~ by ~~thieves. Jocasta said her son was only~~ a ~~child~~, ~~like three years old. While Jocasta is praying~~, ~~a messenger from Corinth comes~~ and ~~tells her that Oedipus’ father~~, ~~Polybus~~, ~~is dead~~. ~~They first rejoice at this news because it appears that the prophets~~ did not know ~~what they were talking about~~, ~~because this meant~~ that ~~Oedipus could not be~~ his ~~father’s murderer~~. ~~Later,~~ the ~~messenger informs Oedipus~~, that ~~Polybus was no more~~ a ~~father to him than he was~~. ~~They learn that this man had received~~ Oedipus ~~as a child~~, ~~from a Shepard. He~~ was a ~~Shepard of Laius~~. ~~He had been given~~ to ~~him by~~ the ~~queen (Oedipus’s wife; mother)~~ to go and ~~have killed, because~~ the ~~prophets had told her that her child would kill his parents.~~ The ~~Shepard didn’t have the heart to kill~~ a ~~baby~~, ~~so that’s how Oedipus ended up~~ in ~~Corinth~~. Oedipus ~~trying to keep from fulfilling~~ the ~~prophecy of killing his parents~~, ~~left Corinth~~ and ~~ran into Laius on~~ the ~~triple road~~, and ~~killed~~ him not knowing that ~~this was~~ really ~~his father~~.		Oedipus, in Greek mythology, king of Thebes, the son of Laius and Jocasta, king and queen of Thebes. Laius was warned by an oracle that he would be killed by his own son. Determined to avert his fate, Laius pierced and bound together the feet of his newborn child and left him to die on a lonely mountain. The infant was rescued by a shepherd, however, and given to Polybus, king of Corinth, who named the child Oedipus (swollen foot) and raised him as his own son. The boy did not know that he was adopted, and when an oracle proclaimed that he would kill his father, he left Corinth. In the course of his wanderings he met and killed Laius, believing that the king and his followers were a band of robbers, and thus without knowing fulfilled the prophecy.
			Lonely and homeless, Oedipus arrived at Thebes, which was beset by a dreadful monster called the Sphinx. The frightful creature frequented the roads to the city, killing and devouring all travelers who could not answer the riddle that she put to them: What walks on four legs in the morning, on two legs at noon, and on three legs in the evening? The answer was a human being, who in infancy crawls on all fours, in adulthood walks upright on two legs, and in old age uses a cane. When Oedipus solved her riddle, the Sphinx killed herself. Believing that King Laius had been slain by unknown robbers, and grateful to Oedipus for ridding them of the Sphinx, the Thebans rewarded Oedipus by making him their king and giving him Queen Jocasta as his wife. For many years the couple lived in happiness, not knowing that they were really mother and son.
	~~Jocasta began to put~~ the ~~pieces of the puzzle together~~, and ~~ran off to her room telling~~ Oedipus he ~~should just let it die. Leave it alone. But Oedipus was determined to find out~~ his ~~birthright~~. Jocasta ~~hung~~ herself, ~~while~~ Oedipus was ~~learning of his cursed destiny~~, ~~and~~ he ~~took the brooches from her dress and gouged~~ his eyes ~~out~~. ~~After being blinded~~, he ~~faced his people and told them~~ to ~~get Creon so that he could be put to death~~. Oedipus ~~asks Creon to take care~~ of his ~~daughters because he knows that no man~~ would ~~want~~ to ~~marry them. He asks to see his daughters one last time~~, ~~and then Creon separates them and takes Oedipus~~ to ~~be executed~~.		Then a terrible plague descended on the land, and the oracle proclaimed that Laius's murderer must be punished. Oedipus soon discovered that he had unknowingly killed his father. In grief and despair at her incestuous life, Jocasta killed herself, and when Oedipus realized that she was dead and that their children were accursed, he put out his eyes and relinquished the throne. He lived in Thebes for several years but was finally banished. Accompanied by his daughter Antigone, he wandered for many years. He finally arrived at Colonus, a shrine near Athens sacred to the powerful goddesses called the Eumenides. Oedipus died at this shrine, after the god Apollo had promised him that the place of his death would remain sacred and would bring great benefit to the city of Athens, which had given shelter to the wanderer.

	== Character Traits ==		== Character Traits ==

168.16.190.150: /* Free Will versus Fate */

2005-10-23T22:56:01Z

Free Will versus Fate

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:56, 23 October 2005
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	“I count myself the son of Chance.” Oedipus, l. 1188		“I count myself the son of Chance.” Oedipus, l. 1188

	~~i am amazing~~ and ~~so is pie~~		'''
			'''Oedipus is siad to have no free will and yet, it was his choice to leave Cornith, it was his choice to marry Jocasta, it was his choice to kill the man he didn't know was his father.....Oedipus may have had a destiny but he certianly had free will!!!!''''''

	== Themes and Motifs ==		== Themes and Motifs ==