A Structuralist Analysis: Binary Oppositions in Oedipus Rex
Oedipus Rex is perhaps the Greek tragedy with the broadest variety of literary and psychoanalytical interpretations. It is a myth that represents the Greeks’ drive to explain and categorize thematic and sociological dualities as part of human nature. Oedipus Rex thus lends itself reasonably well to structuralist literary analysis, which postulates that words consist only of form. Words themselves have no inherent meaning, but can only represent ideas, which are defined by their relationship to other ideas. In particular, ideas are defined by their opposites, and these pairs are known as binary oppositions. For example, the meaning of “good” must be incomplete without knowing the meaning of “evil”, and thus language and ideas are provided with a holistic structure. In this paper, the binary oppositions present in Oedipus Rex will be analysed with reference to the methods of anthropologists Claude Lévi-Strauss and Jean-Pierre Vernant. Their work was integral in developing structuralist literary theory in the early 20th century, and though they differ in their approaches to the analysis of myth, both base their ideas on the concept of binary oppositions.
Binary oppositions in a cultural context are not entirely symmetrical – due to dominant cultural ideologies, there will always be one idea that is preferred over its opposite. This can be seen in any one of the many binaries in Oedipus Rex – for example, that of light
For the meaningful coincidence,I remember in the book page 32 to 33, there is a paragraph. When Kafka meets Sakura on the bus, both of them agree that "even chance meetings . . . are the results of karma" and we know the things in life are fated by our previous lives, even in the smallest events there's no such thing as coincidence. So far as i know in this book, it’s talk about a 15 year old boy who ran away from home escaped a terrible to the prediction of the Oedipus complex, and maki, aging and illiterate idiot who never fully recover from the pain of the war.
In the play of Oedipus the King, the author demonstrates tone and diction by representing elements and rhetorical strategies that enhance the audience's imagination. Each of the characters from this play have concerns towards the knowledge they know. The first characters which are Oedipus and the priest seem to be at peace with each other.
In Ovid’s Metamorphoses and Oedipus the King by Sophocles, change is a recurring theme that directs the plot of the stories completely. In the Metamorphoses, the stories of Jove and Io and of Daphne and Apollo have changes that are related to those of Oedipus in Oedipus the King. The changes in these stories are not the choice of the character but happen because of fate or other outside forces. The common ground with these three examples of change is the fact they are all unexpected and they could not have easily been avoided.
Oedipus Rex is one of the many examples that maintains the major characteristics of a literary tragedy. Based upon the ideas of Aristotle, Oedipus Rex is an outstanding example of tragedy because it depicts the suffering
Oedipus the King Literary Analysis Jennifer Tincher When something horrible happens your first reaction is to blame yourself. What if the blame actually lies with the almighty beings? Tragedy is a central idea in Ancient Greek work. Usually it is brought on through a flaw in a character being exploited.
The world of literature offers many different works; some may offer similarities while there are differences between others. There are more similarities than differences between Odysseus and Oedipus. Two great examples of literature is the tragic play “Oedipus the King”, written by Sophocles and “The Odyssey”, an epic poem written by Homer who were both Greek poets. Both poets’ work shows similar examples of life altering changes that were ultimately controlled by the Greek gods.
Nearly everything Oedipus says reveals his lack of knowledge. Oedipus says, “Whoever murdered him may also wish to punish me” (139-140). In this one phrase, Oedipus shows the audience that he does not know who killed the king, for he would not come to punish himself. He says he will search out the answers “as if for my own father” (329), when ironically that is precisely what he is doing. When talking about the fate of the searched-for murderer, Oedipus says it will not be cruel.
Critical Lens As said by Benjamin Disraeli in Contarini Fleming, “Circumstances are beyond the control of man; but his conduct is in his own power.” Although this quote originates from 1832, centuries before Oedipus the King was published, its logic can still be applied to Sophocles’ play. Disraeli is saying that no one can help the circumstances they are born in, but everyone has the capability to live how they want. At face-value, this may seem true; in the end everyone has the ability to make a decision. Yet, it is their circumstances that drive the choices people make.
In “Oedipus the king” translated by David Grene, a dialogue between different characters in which the idea of tone, attitude, and diction is amplified throughout this text using many rhetorical strategies and shifts supporting more emphasis to the text which brings it to life, as it also provides the tools for the audience to live through the text, and live through it’s reality. In the beginning as Oedipus mentions “I pity you, children” in a way it conveys not the the idea of sympathy, but the idea of sharing pain or close emotional feeling; providing the idea that words are often very good vehicles of communication. Oedipus uses children as a hook to grab people’s attention providing a patronizing yet audacious tone. As the text goes on Oedipus questions the priest “Why do you sit here with suppliant crowns?”
People who are generally cocky and full of themselve tend to have a very horrible death and story that leads up to it. Oedipus is the king of Thebes, who can be full of himself sometimes, but it doesn't affect him in life. He has saved his city before by solving the riddle of the sphinx and he is trying to save it once again by finding out who killed the old king of Thebes, Laius. He has a way of finding out who killed him, but it to only lead to his tragic downfall. Many people think that it was hubris that caused his death but I just don't think that hubris is a logical explanation.
Oedipus the king gave a speech to his people in the city of Thebes and the priest on his front steps. The priest and followers are there to convince Oedipus through logos to help save them and their life sources. During these speeches Oedipus replied by showing two devices,ethos and pathos. The two devices he used in his side of the speech allowed him to gain more of the city’s trust in him, and have them rely on how serious he is about this matter.
Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen of the jury. I am the defense attorney for Oedipus in this case. The evidence that the prosecutor presented today showed Oedipus’ actions of incest and patricide; however, he had no choice in committing these sins. At the time of these actions, he did not know the identities of his real father or mother. We demand his innocence in the verdict.
It can be seen as a trend throughout history that stories reflect a society’s culture and values. One of the most memorable and inspirational civilization that made a substantial contribution to literature was Greece. Sophocles, a renowned Greek playwright, is beloved for his dramatic and action-filled plays that effectively satisfied the ancient audience. In Sophocles’ tragic play, Oedipus the King, the main character, Oedipus finds difficulty proclaiming his purpose against the fate bestowed upon him by the gods. Alongside his struggling, the values and cultural aspects of the Greeks emerge, reflecting their views on society during that time period at which the play was produced.
Sophocles uses dramatic irony to show the ignorance of Oedipus Rex as he cannot see the truth. Oedipus cannot see the truth because his hubris is encouraged by the people and himself. Oedipus’ ignorance is also clearly displayed after an effort to save his city. Although Oedipus is a fictional character created thousands of years ago, his actions can easily connect to many people in today 's society. The theme conveyed in Sophocles play Oedipus Rex is hubris often results in one 's ignorance.
Oedipus the King is one of the most ironic plays ever written. Sophocles, the author, is a famous philosopher of the ancient times The Play is about Oedipus, the king of Thebes, who kills his father and marries his mother. An oracle warned Laius, the king of Thebes prior to Oedipus, that his son would murder him. Accordingly, when his wife, Jocasta, had a son, he exposed the baby by first pinning his ankles together. The infant, who was adopted by King Polybus of Corinth and his wife was then brought up as their very own.