The students of Mr. Sale's Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition class at Arapahoe High School in Centennial, Colorado, will share their unique and insightful thoughts about the literature they read on this blog.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Oedipus Rex
This is a good place to post follow-up comments about our class discussion of Sophocles' Oedipus Rex. Be sure to note the specific scene or character you wish to discuss; the best comments will be anchored in the text.
Here is an observation and some questions to ponder.
I find it interesting that the prologue and first scene of "Oedipus Rex" has many similarities to "Hamlet." Comparing Claudius and Oedipus, both appear diplomatic and kingly in their opening address concerning the troubles their countries are encountering (the invasion by Fortinbras in "Hamlet" and the sterility of the city in "Oedipus"). However, both have a "sin" by which they gained their throne that torments them in thier personal. Comparing Iokaste and Gertrude, I wonder if Iokaste's ignorance of what Oedipus has done is similar to the ingorance of Gertrude concerning Claudius, and if this ignorance catalyzes the tragic hero's downfall. With these similarities, how many of the characters die in the end? Who takes over the throne? Does the early structural and plot connections to "Hamlet" foreshadow the upcoming action and the end of "Oedipus Rex?"
1 comment:
Here is an observation and some questions to ponder.
I find it interesting that the prologue and first scene of "Oedipus Rex" has many similarities to "Hamlet." Comparing Claudius and Oedipus, both appear diplomatic and kingly in their opening address concerning the troubles their countries are encountering (the invasion by Fortinbras in "Hamlet" and the sterility of the city in "Oedipus"). However, both have a "sin" by which they gained their throne that torments them in thier personal. Comparing Iokaste and Gertrude, I wonder if Iokaste's ignorance of what Oedipus has done is similar to the ingorance of Gertrude concerning Claudius, and if this ignorance catalyzes the tragic hero's downfall. With these similarities, how many of the characters die in the end? Who takes over the throne? Does the early structural and plot connections to "Hamlet" foreshadow the upcoming action and the end of "Oedipus Rex?"
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