Oedipus the King

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Oedipus the King, written by Sophocles, is a tragic drama that portrays a great deal of irony. Oedipus, the protagonist, suffers serious misfortune that is significant in that the “misfortune is logically connected with the hero’s actions” (AbleMedia LLC). When the reader learns about the background of Greek culture and the life of Sophocles, this tragic drama is able to become more alive and valuable. It is important to familiarize oneself with the author because it allows for a greater connection to the dialogue presented. Through the character development of Oedipus, one can see how ironic circumstances can turn a prideful king into a tragic figure.

Knowing the background of Greek culture and theater will help one to better understand Sophocles’ Oedipus the King. The Greek tragedies of the fifth and fourth centuries BC that remain today were almost all written for performance in the Theatre of Dionysos at Athens (Didaskalia, par. 1). This major annual festival held in honor of Dionysus, the god of wine,

came about because of the “problematic relationship that Greeks believed existed between gods and humans” (Perseus Digital Library). Greek theater, however, is different from our business enterprise theater. The Athenian theater was financed by the Athenian state. It was an essential part of the Athenian religious festival: the City Dionysia (AbleMedia LLC). During this festival, three tragic playwrights were chosen to present a tetralogy. A tetralogy is a group of four dramas: three tragedies and one satyr play that are performed consecutively (Dictionary.com). The three tragic poets competed with one another while their efforts were ranked by a panel of judges (AbleMedia LLC). This fundamental part of Greek culture brought ...

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...al History - Ancient Greece & Rome & Classics Research Guide. 14 May 2009 .

Sophocles. Oedipus the King. Trans. Dudley Fitts and Robert Fitzgerald. Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing. Ed. X.J. Kennedy and Dana Gioia. 5th Compact Ed. New York: Longman, 2007. 887-924.

"Tetralogy Definition | Definition of Tetralogy at Dictionary.com." Dictionary.com. 14 May 2009 .

"The Glory that was Greece." Www.watson.org. 15 May 2009 .

"Thomas R. Martin, An Overview of Classical Greek History from Mycenae to Alexander, The Development of Athenian Tragedy." Perseus Digital Library. 14 May 2009 .

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