Literary devices in oedipus rex. Oedipus Rex: Usage of Literary Devices 2022-12-28
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Oedipus Rex, also known as Oedipus the King, is a classic Greek tragedy written by Sophocles. The play follows the story of Oedipus, a man who unknowingly fulfills a prophecy that he will kill his father and marry his mother. As Oedipus struggles to uncover the truth about his past and his identity, the play employs a number of literary devices to heighten the drama and convey themes of fate, free will, and the consequences of ignorance.
One literary device used in Oedipus Rex is foreshadowing, which is when hints or clues are given in the story that suggest events that will occur later in the plot. For example, at the beginning of the play, the chorus sings about a "greater power" that controls the fate of humans and warns Oedipus that he is "the most miserable of men." This foreshadows the revelation that Oedipus is doomed to fulfill the prophecy of killing his father and marrying his mother, despite his efforts to avoid it.
Another literary device used in the play is irony, which is when events turn out differently than what is expected. One example of irony in Oedipus Rex is when Oedipus sets out to find the murderer of King Laius, not realizing that he is actually the murderer himself. This ironic twist creates a sense of dramatic tension and adds to the tragic nature of the story.
A third literary device used in the play is the use of imagery, which is the use of descriptive language to create a vivid and sensory experience for the reader. In Oedipus Rex, there are several instances of imagery that add to the play's dark and ominous tone. For example, the chorus describes the plague that has struck Thebes as a "winged hound" that "gnaws at the city's heart," creating a sense of fear and danger.
Overall, the literary devices used in Oedipus Rex serve to enhance the themes and emotions of the play, making it a timeless and enduring work of literature. The use of foreshadowing, irony, and imagery adds depth and complexity to the story, making it a powerful and thought-provoking tragedy that continues to be studied and admired to this day.
Oedipus Rex Analysis & Literary Devices
As he returns, he seems reluctant to tell what the oracle said in front of all the people but the king forces him to speak. Oedipus is a short-tempered and a rash decision-maker from the beginning. The playwright uses comic devices such as exaggeration, incongruity, surprise, repetition, wisecracks, and sarcasm. The king tells them that he is more worried than all of them. Oedipus, who sincerely and wholeheartedly, sets upon the Theme 8 Theme 9 Theme 10 Although Oedipus past, the curse, and the punishment remain a. One of the most apparent literary devices that …show more content… His unawareness is for the greater good presently, but once he realizes the sin that he has done, he will suffer greatly.
The main character tries hard to escape his fate but in his effort to run away from it, he actually comes nearer to what gods have decided for him and ends up doing what already was prophecized. As she tells him that the king was killed at a place where three roads meet, Oedipus reminds of a similar incident that happened in his life. His story, thus, has adopted a mythical proportion. He tells Oedipus that years ago someone from Thebes gave him a child as a gift and he presented it to the king and queen of Corinth as they had no children of their own. Oedipus promises everyone that he will find the man who killed their king and caused the plague and ensures that he will punish him for his deeds. Unfortunately, his efforts to avoid the prophecy prove futile and he meets his woeful fate predicted by the gods.
Aristotle feels these elements are perfectly linked with logic. People made Oedipus their king as he was brave and saved them from the monster. Finally, we are left with catastrophe, as his mother kills herself and Oedipus stabs out his own eyes and flees. He tells Oedipus that a servant of king Laius gave him the baby. Later when things start becoming clear, she fears and begs Oedipus to stop his quest for truth. But instead, he saved him for an awful fate.
He tells that the murderer is in front of them, he is the killer of his father and the husband of his mother, he is the brother of his own children and the son of his own wife, a man who came seeing but will leave this world in blindness. He leaves his hometown for the fear of the fulfillment of the prophecy that he will kill his father and marry his mother. Oedipus, with both his eyes, as well as his knowledge and comprehensive skills, could not see the true nature of his actions in killing the… Oedipus Rex Character Analysis People read literature because it teaches about humanity, both the positives and negatives. Tragic, Sympathetic, Foreboding, Ironic. As he comes close to the truth, he hurts no one but himself in the entire process. Chorus 2 The chorus also believes in their king and they refuse to accept that Oedipus has committed any crime. Oedipus and Jocasta go to the palace and start waiting for him.
Forgetting the past is a good thing sometimes but Oedipus ruins his own life because of his quest for who he really is and what was his past. Tiresias is blind whom Oedipus mocks but when he alleges that Oedipus is blind, it indicates metaphorical blindness in that he does not know what he has committed, though, Tiresias, the blind seer, knows it despite being a blind one. Jocasta, as his wife and queen of the city, who cautions Oedipus as well as advise him. Three Act plot analysis The whole play can be divided into three main acts: Act I Oedipus knows that the city is cursed so he sends Creon to an oracle to find out the solution. It is one of the main themes of this play and it also proves to be the Hamartia or tragic flaw of Oedipus Rex. What is dramatic irony in Oedipus Rex? Character 3 Jocasta The only female character in Oedipus, Jocasta appears when Oedipus argues with Creon and Tiresias.
This situation puts all the readers in the suspense because no one knows whether Oedipus will also commit suicide and kill himself or not. The play also throws light on how the protagonist of the play remains the true hero at the end despite his sinful deeds. Jocasta is also a little skeptical of prophets but does not disrespect them. The chorus and Jocasta, the wife of Oedipus and the sister of Creon, request the king to spare his life and let him go. Oedipus was not aware of his lineage at that point. In the beginning, the city is presented in the grip of severe crisis.
Jocasta gets more worried and leaves. He consoles Oedipus and asks him to come inside so that no one can see him. When he enters his bedroom, he finds that Jocasta is already dead. Later on his journey, he messed up with a stranger who was a proud man and insulted him badly. Sophocles made the point of murder unique. Following the climax of the play was the denouement where Oedipus kept his promise of lifting the curse off of Thebes by banishing himself from the city, and having Creon promise him to take care of his daughters and of Thebes. If Oedipus was not blinded by his own success and confidence, he might not have had to live such a tragedy.
He remains in the play till the end. He then began to learn that Thebes housed his real parents. For example, the pride displays his rashness which invites his fate to deal a heavy blow to him. This is perhaps the first revelation of Character 6 The Herdsman The herdsman is taken to Oedipus and Jocasta to verify the Character 7 Priest The Priest of Zeus and representative of the people first appears in the Character 8 Chorus Leader The leader is the representative of the chorus, and comments or takes part in the conversation on behalf of the whole Chorus. She relieves Oedipus by saying that he should not take the prophets and their prophecies seriously because they are never true. Suspense Oedipus enters his bedroom and finds Jocasta hanging. On his way to Thebes, he meets a stranger and gets messed up with him.
She confidently proclaims she only believes in God and his will but would not believe in any prophecy. Though Teiresias is blind yet he can see the truth clearly. They symbolize that Oedipus was marked for all the sufferings right from the time of his birth. His escape leads him to the city where his true parents reside. The people of the city became sick and many died.
