Sophocles Oedipus the King and Homers Odyssey both deal on the topic of morality and divine intervention. In both works the character Tiresias, a blind prophet, participates in the different journeys by revealing various truths to the main characters. While the main importance of Tiresias in The Odyssey is to show that truth can be helpful, his importance in Oedipus the King is to attempt to discourage Oedipus on his journey to find the truth because he knows the truth can be negative as well. The first thing that should be examined is the different ways that Tiresias reveals the truth in the two works. In The Odyssey, Tiresias is direct and to the point. He starts by stating that A sweet smooth journey home is what you seek, but a god will make it hard for you.
From what can be read, Tiresias feels no need sugarcoat what he is telling for two simple reasons. First, he came willingly to Odysseus, sugarcoating the truth would be a waste of time. The second and more important reason is that he has good news for Odysseus, relative to what has happened so far. On the other hand, in Oedipus the King, Tiresias skirts around telling Oedipus the truth. In fact, he initially refused to tell Oedipus anything at all, seen in such lines as Youll get nothing from me and Ill never reveal my dreadful secrets. The important thing is that when Oedipus got Tiresias angered, Tiresias bluntly stated that [Oedipus is] the curse, the corruption of the land. When Oedipus responds to this, which will be discussed later, he continues to berate Tiresias for lying.
The Essay on Oedipus The King Symbols Of Lightdarkness Seeingblindness
Oedipus the King: Symbols of Light/Darkness; Seeing/Blindness Throughout history there have been some astonishing Greek plays. Some plays were more comedic in nature, so were romance plays and then there were some that were tragic plays. One of the greatest Greek tragedy plays ever written was Oedipus the King. Brilliantly conceived and written, Oedipus the King dramatizes the self-discovery and ...
Following that, Sophocles uses Tiresias to foreshadow the rest of the play for the reader, while cryptically half-hiding and half-telling Oedipus the truth, which is essentially ignored. The fact that Tiresias had to be summoned, instead of coming on his own, and that Tiresias attempted to hide the truth from Oedipus, shows that Tiresias was trying to protect Oedipus. He knew it would cause Oedipus harm in the end. Tiresias differing attitudes in the works serves as a parallel to how the truth told in general. Truth that brings hope to people is normally easily given, but truth that brings sadness or despair is generally told with caution and reluctance. The reaction to the information given by Tiresias is also important due to its difference.
In Homers work, Odysseus reaction to the news is different than the joy that one might normally expect. Instead of a reaction of happiness or joy, Odysseus simply asks how he can communicate with his dead mother. But this in itself reveals something important. Essentially, Odysseus is now aware that he has more than a good chance of returning home soon, but still cannot be overjoyed because of stress that he has suffered so far. One could say that he is simply not near as worried as he was before, essentially he now has hope to arrive home to his wife and son because of Tiresias revelation. Oedipus reaction, on the other hand, is much different from that of Odysseus.
Simply put, the reaction to the truth that Tiresias reveals is utter disbelief and anger. Oedipus can not comprehend that he could be the plague, so he accuses Tiresias aligned with Creon in a part of a plot to overthrow him. The irony being that it is Oedipus the one searching for the truth, but when it is told, he is to close-minded to see it. Eventually Oedipus finds out the truth for himself and must realize that Tiresias was telling the truth, especially about being better of not knowing the truth of his heritage and actions. The significance of this comparison is that it also reveals the general reaction of society to truth. While Odysseus reaction was not of the get up and do a happy dance type, one can still see that he benefited from the truth, and therefore had to be at least somewhat thankful of what Tiresias told him.
The Essay on Role Of Tiresias In Oedipus
Tiresias in, both plays, is the bearer of bad news. Each of these plays the main character refusing to believe his words for truth. Creon’s pride blinds him to the truth, and the fate that Tiresias was a direct effect of Creon’s actions. Tiresias’ prophecy for Oedipus on the other hand is ignored because of Oedipus’ ignorance to his situation that has already taken place. In Oedipus’ case Tiresias ...
In the case of Oedipus, the truth proved to be harmful and therefore denied at first until it was confirmed by second source. In the real world, it is essentially the same. If finding out the truth helps someone, they would generally be appreciative of knowing the truth at the very least. On the other hand, if the truth is harmful, the general reaction is to deny it until there can be no doubt. To put it very simply, good news is better than bad news. Although already somewhat covered, the effect of Tiresias informing the two main characters and the story as a whole should also be examined in a more specific manner.
The effect of Tiresias telling Odysseus the truth and guiding is The Odyssey is easy to see. Because of what Odysseus learnt from Tiresias, Odysseus was given hope and managed to return home to Ithaca. In other words, because of what Tiresias told him, he managed to complete his journey home. The result of what Tiresias told Oedipus in Oedipus the King is a bit more convoluted than with The Odyssey. While what Tiresias told Oedipus was true, Sophocles used that scene more as a way to foreshadow what would happen later on in the play rather than a direct plot motivator. This can be seen in the fact that Oedipus essentially discounts Tiresias prophecy, convincing himself that Tiresias is trying to mess with him. But what Tiresias told Oedipus did have an effect, although different than what would have been expected, especially since Tiresias was a trusted and respected seer.
That effect was the bringing about of suspicion in Oedipus mind of whether or not he really was the person who murdered Laius. As a result of this suspicion, Oedipus began to pursue the truth with more fervor, which did eventually lead to his confirming the truth that Tiresias had already hinted at. In relation to the real world, this is significant because it shows that while truth is a wonderful and helpful idea, it is better to not know the truth because of the pain it can cause. Oedipus used his intellect and diligence to answer the riddle of the Sphinx. Many of the most intelligent young men of thebes has been killed attempting to answer the riddle but Oedipus proved his intelligence superior to theirs. Oedipus uses the same intelligence and perseverence to find the killer of Laius.
The Essay on Oedipus Rex A Greek Tragic Drama
Greek tragic dramas are based on myths and are representations of human dilemmas, which often formed on conflicts between men and gods. The Oedipal myth was transformed into a compelling theatrical work, "Oedipus Rex", by Sophocles. As conventional in Greek tragedies, Oedipus is portrayed as a heroic protagonist, led to his downfall by his tragic flaw, 'hubris', error of judgement, 'hamartia', and ...
He does not give up his search even when Jocasta warns him to stop and let the matter rest. He calls the shepard and interrogates him till he discovers the horrifying truth that he is the killer. Oedipus intelligence was ultimately his flaw. Also, if Oedipus had not had been as coarageous he would have have never ventured to answer the riddle of the Sphinx. Thus even though he had killed his father he would have never become king of Thebes and laid with his mother. In addition, if Oedipus had had the courage but not the intelligence the Spinx would have killed him for answering the riddle incorrectly.
Sophocles used this to characterized Oedipus as a tragic man for he came about his tragic discovery not because of an evil act or an evil trait but because of the person he was. Oedipus traits which gave him riches and power ultimately led to his tragic ending. Also, the god apollo did not predestine that Oedipus would kill his father and marry his mother by the oracle, he only stated what he knew was inevitable because of who Oedipus was. The sphinxs riddle was used by Sophocles to characterize Oedipus as a tragic man and as a parallel to his life. The riddle describes the 3 stages which Oedipus went through in his life. Also in answering the riddle Oedipus inevitable brought about his own tragic ending by a horrible discovery.
Oedipus does not unselfishly seek out the truth even though he knows it will be painful for him, rather, he has no idea what the outcome of his search will be, denies the truth at every turn, and threatens those who speak it. Many people may paint Oedipus as a great man, pointing out that he pursues the truth at whatever personal cost and has the strength to accept and endure it when found. They admire that Oedipus was willing to bring himself down in his lust to find his true identity. However, the driving force of Oedipus fact-finding mission is an attempt to end the disease that plagues his city. He doesnt realize the personal consequences his hunt will have for him, and his loyalty to the truth is based on his ignorance of it. In fact, if we examine his quest for identity, it becomes apparent that the sequence of events are quite coincidental. First, he summons Tiresias to name the killer, who Oedipus does not at the time believe to be himself.
The Essay on Oedipus The King Life Destiny People
Destiny and Angevin "Oedipus the King" by Sophocles, the author uses the idea of fate and free will to explain the struggle of Oedipus's life. In the story, fate is explained as an outside supernatural force that controls life. Oedipus has a strange life story. He gets abandoned by his mother and is left to die, a different family adopts him and he ends up killing his father in a fight and gets ...
Secon! The tragic hero Oedipus emerges as anything but a social person. He may begin that way, motivated by a genuine desire to help the people, but what emerges throughout is different. It becomes plain to see that Oedipus is actually, deep down where it really counts, far more concerned with his own sense of self and demands for justice on his terms, than in compromising his desires like any other true leader would. This tragedy reminds us that even the bravest, those known throughout the world for their knowledge, are doomed if they set themselves up against the mystery of life itself, and if they try to force life to answer them, they are going to self-destruct. Both these works, when taken in comparison to each other, reveal much about how society tends to deal with the subject of morality. On the one side, represented by The Odyssey, is the idea that the idea of acting moral is beneficial, and can help one on their own personal journeys through life. Sophocles Oedipus the King represents the other side of moral truth, the bad and potentially harmful side.
This play shows that there are truths that people are better off not knowing, for it would cause them more harm than good. In such cases divine intervention plays the role of the force that prevents people from pursuing the kinds of things that might harm them at the end..
