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| {{DISPLAYTITLE:''Oedipus Rex'' Study Guide}}
| | #REDIRECT [[Oedipus the King]] |
| === Names ===
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| * [[w:Sophocles|Sophocles]]
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| * [[w:Classical Athens|Classical Athens]]
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| * ''[[w:Oedipus Rex|Oedipus Rex]]''
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| * [[w:Oedipus|Oedipus]] | [[w:Jocasta|Jocasta]] | [[w:Creon|Creon]] | [[w:Antigone|Antigone]] | [[w:Ismene|Ismene]]
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| * [[w:Laius|Laius]] | [[w:Polybus of Corinth|Polybus]] | [[w:Merope (Oedipus)|Merope]]
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| * [[w:Tiresias|Tiresias]] | [[w:Crossroads (culture) | Crossroads]] | [[w:Sphinx|Sphinx]]
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| === Questions for Consideration ===
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| The following questions should help you begin thinking about the major themes, characters, and ideas in the primary text.
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| # Many consider Sophocles’ ''Oedipus Rex'' as the greatest of the Western [[w:Tragedy|tragedies]]. Even if you are not familiar with other [[w:Greek tragedy|Greek tragedy]], consider the greatness of ''Oedipus the King'' from your own perspective. What [[w:Theme (arts)|themes]] common in the tragedy resonate for us today? | |
| # All of the crucial action of the play takes place off stage: Oedipus' killing of his father, etc. Consider the dramatic effect of this decision: what is, therefore, highlighted if not the egregious acts committed by the protagonist?
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| # Even though during his investigation, Oedipus begins to suspect the truth of the situation, yet he pushes on to prove the terrible truth. What does this say about Oedipus specifically and the tragic hero in general? Does this shed any light on Oedipus’ eventual death?
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| # What is Oedipus' [[w:Hamartia|tragic flaw]]? Is there only one?
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| # Professor Literary Critic states that "to Sophocles, man has become an emancipated individual with a free will who cannot excuse his deeds by blaming Fate, the gods, or oracles. Reason is thus man's highest possession and greatest power." Discuss the contrast of fate verses free will in ''Oedipus the King''.
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| # When Oedipus discovers his crimes, he blinds himself. Discuss the symbolic significance of this action. What does this act say about vision in general? (Perhaps start by thinking about [[w:Tiresias|that other blind character]] have we met this semester.)
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| # If Oedipus represents both the best and the worst of his culture, what values can we infer from our reading of the tragedy?
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| === Secondary Texts ===
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| * {{cite web |url=https://grlucas.net/grl/Character_v._Fate |title=Character v. Fate |last=Lucas |first=Gerald |date=February 22, 2014 |orig-year=2003 |website=GRLucas.net |publisher=|access-date=2013-08-19 |quote=}} Notes on and an introduction to ''OR''.
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| {{2111|state=expanded}}
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| [[Category:Education]]
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| [[Category:Study Guides]]
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| [[Category:Lit Study Guides]]
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