Hi! I have a paper on Oedipus as a character of "appalling greatness." Is this how the audience for which Sophocles wrote the play would see him, or is it a "modern misinterpretation?"
and This critic has argued "Oedipus" has the most impact of any ancient tragedy. If you feel that as well, how do you account for it?
1. I think it was written for Sophocles' audience because his character follows the words of the divine and even though it eventually casts him out, he is still courageous enough to exile himself.
2. I think it is the most impacting tragedy because he tries to escape his prophecy, yet he winds up having fulfilled it while trying not to. In the end, he loses everything he has.
Do these ideas make sense? Could you help me clarify these?
Thank you!
1. I think it was written for Sophocles' audience because his character follows the words of the divine and even though it eventually casts him out, he is still courageous enough to exile himself.
You're not answering the question. Do you think the term "appalling greatness" is how the audience in 5th century BC Athens would have interpreted the character, or is it a misinterpretation by someone in today's world? Then explain why you think so.
2. I think it is the most impacting tragedy because he tries to escape his prophecy, yet he winds up having fulfilled it while trying not to. In the end, he loses everything he has.
What does "most impacting tragedy" mean? This part is not clear. The rest (from "he tries" onward) seems all right, but more explanation would help.
Here are some websites to help you:
http://www.sparknotes.com/drama/oedipus/
Analysis of major characters might help.
http://www.gradesaver.com/classicnotes/titles/oedipus/
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These sites may help, too:
The Greeks: Crucible of Civilization
http://www.pbs.org/empires/thegreeks/
This site comes in both a Flash 4 (for fast Internet connections) and an HTML version. Click on "Educational Resources" for Lesson 4, "Oedipus the King: An Introduction to Greek Drama." Other lessons involve research into Greek civilization.
Sophocles - Biography and Works
http://www.online-literature.com/sophocles/
Good background information.
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All of Sophocles writings were based on a philosophical argument. How much of man's fate is in "god"s hands" and how much does man have control of.
Appalling Greatness is an oxymoron. Think about what in this play is "appalling" and what is "great".... and how can this be found in one man at the same time.
The interesting thing about Oedipus is that we are still having the same discussion today.... and we still find "appalling greatness" in our leaders today.
1. Based on the information provided, it seems that you believe the term "appalling greatness" is how the audience in 5th century BC Athens would have interpreted Oedipus as a character. Your reasoning is that Oedipus follows the words of the divine, even when they eventually cast him out, and he shows courage by exiling himself. It is important to note, however, that this is your interpretation and it would be beneficial to support your argument with evidence from the play or scholarly sources.
To clarify your ideas, you could further explore how Oedipus's adherence to divine guidance, even when it leads to his downfall, aligns with the beliefs and values of the ancient Greek audience. You could also discuss how Sophocles presents Oedipus as a tragic hero, someone who possesses greatness but is ultimately brought low by his tragic flaw or fate.
To strengthen your argument, you can refer to specific scenes or quotes from the play, analyze the character's actions and motivations, and consider the historical and cultural context in which the play was performed. This will help provide a more thorough explanation of why you believe the audience for which Sophocles wrote the play would have seen Oedipus as a character of "appalling greatness."
2. Regarding the idea that Oedipus is the most impactful tragedy, it is important to clarify what you mean by "impacting." If you mean that the play has a significant emotional and intellectual effect on the audience, then you can support this statement by exploring how the story of Oedipus evokes strong emotions, such as pity, fear, and catharsis. You can also discuss how the play raises profound philosophical and moral questions, such as the role of fate versus free will, the nature of human suffering, and the limitations of human knowledge and understanding.
To account for why Oedipus may have the most impact compared to other ancient tragedies, you could consider the skillful use of dramatic irony, the complexity of the characters, the exploration of universal themes, and the mastery of language and dramatic techniques by Sophocles. It would also be helpful to reference scholarly opinions or critical analyses that support the notion that Oedipus is indeed the most impactful ancient tragedy.
In summary, to clarify and strengthen your ideas, consider using evidence from the play, supporting your arguments with scholarly opinions, and highlighting the unique aspects of Oedipus as a character and the play as a tragedy. Additionally, consulting the suggested resources and analyzing the character of Oedipus in more depth will provide you with a more comprehensive understanding of the play and its impact.