In his plays, Sophocles depicts men and women as they ought to be rather than what they truly are. How is this true in the case of Oedipus? Who is the real Oedipus?
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The most important ideas will come from the play itself and your mind, but here are some places to consider visiting:
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There have been books on the proposition in the first sentence, and although many critics repeat what you wrote, many others show instances in which Sophocles depected evil men as they were, not as they ought to be.
Now view Oedipus in the light of reality: Was he a man as men ought to be? Judge not in our standards, but Greek standards.
In order to understand how Sophocles depicts men and women as they ought to be in the case of Oedipus, it is important to analyze the character of Oedipus himself and the themes presented in the play.
Firstly, Oedipus is portrayed as a noble and heroic figure in the play. He is established as the king of Thebes, a man of great power and authority. Throughout the play, Oedipus actively seeks the truth, displaying determination and bravery in his pursuit of knowledge.
However, it is Oedipus' tragic flaw, his hubris or excessive pride, that ultimately leads to his downfall. Despite being warned by the prophet Tiresias and others, Oedipus refuses to accept the truth about his own identity and the prophecy that he will kill his father and marry his mother. This is where the dichotomy between how men and women "ought to be" and what they "truly are" becomes apparent.
Sophocles presents Oedipus as a representation of how people would ideally behave, with noble qualities like bravery and a commitment to seeking truth. However, Oedipus' refusal to accept the truth about his own actions and his own self blinds him to reality. This suggests that regardless of social status or gender, humans are ultimately flawed and capable of resisting accepting the unpleasant truths about themselves.
To fully grasp the portrayal of Oedipus as an example of how men and women ought to be, it is crucial to analyze the themes of fate, free will, and self-discovery that permeate the play. Oedipus, despite his noble stature, falls victim to a predetermined fate. He is destined to fulfill the prophecy, regardless of his actions or intentions.
Therefore, the real Oedipus is a complex character who embodies both what men and women ought to be and what they truly are. He represents the human struggle to reconcile one's ideal self with the inevitable flaws and consequences of one's choices.