When Oedipus The King was first introduced to me in Drama class, I was so impressed with this then-new form of reading. I hadn’t enjoyed reading many Greek plays before, and I certainly had not read anything by Sophocles, or about Oedipus.
I remember how much I enjoyed the eloquence in the texts, the ebb and flow of emotions, the statements that seem to speak of grand understanding of life; typical of Greek plays, and the catharsis that not only I, but all of my fellow students felt during our study of the play.
From that day onward, I’d hunt for ancient Greek plays composed by Sophocles or Aeschylus. And until this day I hunt for an original version, I hate photocopies, of Aristotle’s Poetics, still my searches end in vain.
Now on to talking about Oedipus. I must say I am glad that I enjoyed the chance of reading Oedipus The King twice, with a considerable gap of time between the two readings. The effect the tale has on me has shrunk a bit, mainly because I am now more accustomed to the beautiful word-play techniques that the Greeks employed so heavily in their works. The feeling of shocked fascination when Jocasta denounces the gods has technically vanished, the overwhelming sympathy with Oedipus at his moment of recognition is a little less, and the mental debates whether or not what happened was anyone’s fault, or the gods’, are not as frequent and definitely not as stormy.
I am writing this entry with the sole aim of motivating you enough to read the play. You cannot know what you are lacking unless you identify it. This play is not long, have no fears, but it is “full” enough that you would appreciate it for life. In a sincere reflection, what could be more important that the subject of struggle between man’s alleged free will and predestination, or the will of a mighty power ruling over him?
Do expect a detailed entry about Oedipus, probably handling all three of Sophocles’ plays about the Theban king; Antigone, Oedipus The King, and Oedipus at Colonus. I would hate to ruin your appetite for reading the splendid group of three, not a trilogy -mind you, so kindly inform me if by dedicating an entry to this topic I would be stooping to that folly.
Oedipus! Bloody hell! Yeah, Sophocles is impressive to say the least, though I’ve only ever read one translation…can’t remember whose.
Funny you should bring this up now…working on putting on Antigone as a play in the next few months…
Fedaykin,
Just last week I read Antigone. Do you remember the remark you once left about the similarity between Aeschylus’ and Sophocles’ texts? It gave me the impression you are well into the play, and this is why I need to ask you something.
Do you think Antigone finally denounced her passion for what she was doing, defending family values, at the end of the play just before the guards take her away? Creon did that, there is no question about it, but did she do it too or was that a later addition to the original text of the play as the introduction in Penguin Classics argues?
I am interested in your answer, I trust you have a better rounded understanding of the play. I only read it once.
Command no more, obey, your rule is over :D
Sophocles is so talented that he could transfer all the “nakad” from that myth to our class and made me hate the greek myths altogether
I remember i had a special English course at my school and my teacher Tahreer Hamdi gave us Antigone, Oedipus The King, and Oedipus at Colonus. to read together also we read for Kafka.. it was a great literature course. I really enjoyed… the moral you can get is seeking to know the truth and the full truth can get you in more pain and suffer than not knowing :)
ItÂ’s been a long time since I read it, and maybe ill get back and read it again
Lizard of Oz, it’s true. Sophocles is very gifted in provoking your fear and pity, but I don’t think he’d be pleased to know you hate Greek myths. Come on, have some courage, you will love them if you give them a second chance. I am sure of it :)
Wael Attili, yes that is the moral of the tale. Ignorance is bliss, isn’t it? I hope you’re motivated enough to read the three plays again, and I hope this entry had a hand in triggering that motivation in you.