Oedipus and Eventual Downfall

Oedipus reading questions

The dramatic purpose of the prologue is to place the audience I the middle of the action with as little friction as possible. All the information to continue and understand the play is placed at the beginning known as the prologue. It is much like the reverse scrolling at the beginning of star wars movies. Oedipus sees himself much like the parent of Thebes. He knows he has a natural benevolence in himself to be a good king and have general concern over the people of Thebes. He finds it to be his duty the care for the people when there is so much suffering in his country. His view is somewhat accurate in that he does care for the people of Thebes and it is out of the goodness of his heart but at the same time, we know that he killed the former king and is therefore the source of the troubles.

The Chorus is here in this specific section to provide the audience a clearer summarization of the introduction. Since it is not a dialogue, it could be more easily understood. In this specific Parados, the chorus reiterates the point to the audience that the people of Thebans are suffering as if there were a curse put on the country. The farmers can “bear no grain” the women “cannot bear” and there is plague that “burns on” throughout the country.

Many ironies are inserted into Oedipus’ speech that foreshadow what the audience should pick up on. During his speech he explains that he “had been a stranger to the crime” but it is in fact himself the source of the crime. Oedipus also calls to the people to not “let [the criminal] not keep silent: he shall have his reward from me.” This threat is a grisly foreshadowing of Oedipus’s future self mutilation. When addressing the unknown murderer ...

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...be deceived by them again. A fitting punishment for one who mocks a blind prophet.

Creon tells Oedipus that his life must not be lived as he did before. He must respect the laws of God. He tells Oedipus to “not allow this pollution to show itself openly here.” He must hide his disrespect of the Laws as quickly as he can. Though he has “lost respect for man’s dignity, at least respect the flame of Lord Helios.” This lesson shows that throughout his life, he had taken the laws of the gods and did not care for them. It is for this reason that his downfall is as it is.

The Chorus uses the final lines of the play to teach a lesson to all men. Never think that good fortune is something that is just given. Do not ever count on life and the everyday. Oedipus took his knowledge for granted and in his search for truth his downfall was brought upon him.