Oedipus Rex Study - 1464 Words

Oedipus Rex Study Guide The Prologos 1. What initial step does Oedipus indicate he has already taken? 2. What is the significance of Delphi? What is the message from the oracle at Delphi with which Creon returns? 3. What does Oedipus think about the clue Creon reveals about who murdered King Laios? What might this perception foreshadow? 4. What does Oedipus promise to do at the end of the Prologos? 5. Of what symbolic significance are the olive boughs, strewn at the alter steps as the Thebans address Oedipus? Why does Oedipus tell the suppliants to lift up their olive boughs as they depart? The Parados 1. In strophe 1, what does the chorus ask? 2. In antistrophe 1, to which god and goddesses does the chorus appeal for†¦show more content†¦In light of the caveat in ode 2, what might her statement foreshadow? 4. What attitude toward the gods does Oedipus exhibit after learning of Polybos death? Again in light of ode 2, what is foreshadowed by Oedipus statement? What effect upon the audience might the similarity of reactions of Oedipus and Jocasta have? 5. Though Oedipus is comforted that Polybus, his father, has died of natural causes, what aspect of the oracle still troubles Oedipus? 6. How does the messenger prove that Oedipus was not the child of Polybus and Merope? 7. Why does Jocasta so insistently attempt to stop Oedipus questioning of the messenger? What has Jocasta discovered through the messengers story? 8. What incredible coincidences surround the appearance of the messenger from Corinth and the shepherd? Is such coincidence possible in life? As a moder n audience, why might we believe less in such coincidences than audiences of 5th century, BC? 9. Jocastas exit line is significant. The only word she can call Oedipus is miserable. Why can she not call him husband? Why can she not call him son? Ode 3 1. In ode 3, Kith iron is again mentioned. What is Kithairon, and how is it connected to Oedipus? Refer to scene 3. 2. Who is Pan? Who is Hermes? What is Kyllene? 3. What effect does juxtaposing the pastoral imagery of ode 3 with scene 3 create? What might this suggest about scene 4? The Final Clue 1.Show MoreRelatedA Comparative Tragedy Study of Fatalism and Determinism: Oedipus Rex and Thunderstorm2489 Words   |  10 Pagesï » ¿A Comparative Tragedy Study of Fatalism and Determinism: Oedipus Rex and The Thunderstorm 1. INTRODUTION The Thunderstorm and Oedipus Rex, the representatives of Chinese and Greek play, both tell tragic stories about incest and unexpected destiny. The two masterpieces reveal much about the literature patterns and philosophical implications of the different cultures. The exploration of the two plays could help further understand the oneness of world literature and the tragedy of unlike cultureRead MoreThe Three Themes of Oedipus Rex1106 Words   |  4 PagesThemes of Oedipus Rex The contrast between trust in the gods oracles and trust in intelligence and pride plays out in Oedipus Rex. 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The inclusion of different narratives, and symbolisms helpRead MoreOedipus Rex As Modern Tragedy : Catharsis Or Cognitive Emotion883 Words   |  4 PagesOedipus Rex as Modern Tragedy: Catharsis or Cognitive Emotion Oedipus Rex, an Athenian tragedy written by Sophocles, tells the tale of a noble king brought low by a serious of harrowing events set in motion by the Gods and unwittingly furthered by the actions of the king. Aristotle believed that Oedipus Rex was the prime example of the tragedy; however, modern readers might entertain that the play is unworthy of such praise. In this paper I will put forth the argument that Oedipus Rex, though heartfeltRead More A Comparison of Tragedy in Hamlet, The Book of Job, and Oedipus Rex1246 Words   |  5 PagesInterpretations of Tragedy in Hamlet, The Book of Job, and Oedipus Rex    For ages, man has pondered upon the roots of destiny. Is the outcome of a mans life determined by human qualities and failings, the meddling of a divine power, or simple fate? Shakespeares Hamlet made the argument that tragedy is caused by human folly. The idea that divine intervention is at the root of human suffering is put forth in the Book of Job. In Sophocles Oedipus Rex, fate is given as the root of mans suffering.Read More Tiresias, Oedipus, and Self Essay1131 Words   |  5 PagesTiresias, Oedipus Rex, and Self  Ã‚   The play Oedipus Rex, written by Sophocles, tells a horrendous tale about one mans quest for the truth. In the play, King Oedipus was burdened with the task of finding his predecessors murderer so that order may be restored to his kingdom. While his conscious mind was seeking the murderer, his unconscious mind was retarding his progress in order to conceal the truth. Tiresias, prophesies the truth to Oedipus, but Oedipuss unconscious mind would not hearRead MoreOedipus Rex As Tragedy : The Philosopher Must Be Crazy845 Words   |  4 PagesOedipus Rex as Tragedy: The Philosopher Must Be Crazy Throughout the ages many scholars have agreed with Aristotle s assessment of Oedipus Rex (the Athenian tragedy written by Sophocles) as the truest form of tragedy; however, modern viewers might remark that it is unworthy of such praise and instead should be exemplified as the proof that an addition to Aristotle s ideal of tragedy itself is required: the element of timelessness. Throughout history, many have believed that man s ability to produceRead MoreOedipus: Aristotelian or Formalist Theory772 Words   |  4 PagesTeiresias’s speech at the end of scene one of Sophocles’ play Oedipus Rex is fairly short but it is in this encounter between Oedipus and Teiresias where the main conflict of the story begins to unfold. This is a pivotal speech in the play as it helps to develop some of the major themes in the play as well as begin to build up the tragic irony at the center of the story. When this speech is analyzed using either Aristotelian or Formalist theory key el ements can be found that are effective inRead More Destiny, Free Will and Choice - The Power of Fate in Oedipus the King1071 Words   |  5 PagesThe Power of Fate in Oedipus the King The concept of fate has existed since the time of the ancient Greeks. The Greeks believed very strongly in fate, which can be defined as either a power beyond human control that determines events, or the outcome or end. In Oedipus Rex, King Oedipus lives and dies by fate. Fate influences the entire plot, thereby allowing for some interesting developments that may be unpredictable to the audience. In Sophocles Oedipus Rex, fate truly is a huge factorRead More Tragedy in Oedipus Rex, Hamlet, and the Book of Job Essay examples998 Words   |  4 PagesTragedy in Oedipus Rex, Hamlet, and the Book of Job In works of literature involving a tragedy, the question of the cause of the tragedy is often raised. The play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, and the book of Job from the Bible all involve a tragedy resulting from different things. In Oedipus Rex the tragedy is a result of Oedipuss fate. In Hamlet the tragedy is caused by human folly. The divine intervention of God is what causes the tragedy in Job.

Uncle Tom’s Cabin Essay Free Essays

Mohammad Rabah Harriet Beecher Stowe and Other Influences on the Civil War Harriet Beecher Stowe’s book Uncle Tom’s Cabin is often seen as a primary influence of the Civil War. She showed just how terrible and difficult the life of a slave really was. By doing so she caused a lot of disturbances across the country regarding the institution of slavery. We will write a custom essay sample on Uncle Tom’s Cabin Essay or any similar topic only for you Order Now It open many people’s eyes to the terrible conditions slaves lived under and led many to act towards the abolition of slavery. Uncle Tom’s Cabin displays the hardships of Tom, Eliza, and George, as well as the other slaves they encounter along their journey. The hardships suffered by them showed just how cruel and terrifying the life of a slave could be. Never before had a novel emphasized the terrible conditions slaves lived under like Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Tom’s story shows both the good and bad in how white people had treated their slaves, and his noble and heroic characteristics shed a new light on slaves who were often looked down upon. Therefor much turmoil was caused amongst slave holders in the south for this made them look cruel, like Simon Legree, who had beaten Tom to death in the story. The story also shows the tension caused in slave families when they would be torn apart due to family members being sold, which is why Eliza and her husband George fled north to Canada. All of these dramatic events in the story led many people to push towards ending slavery. Uncle Tom’s Cabin also influenced white northerners to house escaping slaves due to all the trouble they had to go through to get freed. Not only did the book influence people living in the US, it also revealed the inhumanity of slavery to people all around the world, selling three million copies world wide (Smith). Such a widespread influential book also upset the south, for slavery was a major part of how they made money and it had now been revealed to the public how crudely they treated their slaves. Rising tensions about the topic are seen as one of the major factor leading to the Civil War. It is said that when Stowe met president Abraham Lincoln in November 25, 1862 he said, â€Å"so you are the little woman who wrote the book that started this great war† (Smith). Although Harriet Beecher Stowe was a major influence on the Civil War there were also quit a few other reasons as well. The other main reasons are the control of the government, economy, states’ rights, abolitionism, and the election of 1860. Although the focus revolved around slavery a lot of the tension that led to the war was from how the South felt it had no power when it came to making decisions. â€Å"As new states were added to the Union, a series of compromises were arrived at to maintain an equal number of â€Å"free† and â€Å"slave† states† (Hickman 1). However; as new states were added they were all being declared â€Å"free† states without the South having any say in the matter. Fearing they were losing power the South turned to the states’ rights argument, stating that the federal government didn’t have the right to change the laws of slavery in states whom already own slaves (Ayers). Things grew worse during the abolitionist movements which called for an end for slavery, whether it be immediate or gradual. This caused many disputes among the people which often led to biblical disputes (Hickman1). Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin should the cruelty of the Fugitive Slave Act and gave support to the abolitionist movement. The election of 1860 was the final straw. With the election of Abraham Lincoln as president, they feared all was about to change. â€Å"The North with its growing population and increased electoral power had achieved what the South had always feared: complete control of the government by the free states†(Hickman 2). After the election the South immediately began to discuss seceding from the Union. The secession of the South was the ultimate leading factor for the North to go to war, in order to keep the country united (Ayers). Therefor, there were a multitude of reasons for the Civil War. Harriet Beecher Stowe’s book Uncle Tom’s Cabin sparked rage in the South and inspired abolitionists, which ultimately led to the Civil War. Though centered about the institution of slavery, the Civil War was also massively influenced by the fact that the South felt it had little to no say as to what happened in the government. All of these factors led to one of the most regrettable wars in American history. How to cite Uncle Tom’s Cabin Essay, Essays

Comparison of Meyer Wolfstein to Jay Gatsby free essay sample

Comparison of Meyer Wolfstein to Jay Gatsby So far in the novel you see Gatsby as this mysterious fellow, but in Chapter 6 it seems like he spills his life story to Nick, anyway Gatsby still doesn’t reveal whether if he’s part of a mob of some sort. His character always seems to take turns, first it with all of the medals, and pictures, and Christmas letters from the commissioner, along with oxford. Then in Chapter 6 comes the â€Å"real truth† of Gatsby so†¦which one is the real truth. As for Meyer Wolfstein, he is a character who is rather shady, and also seems very smart as he hasn’t been caught for fixing the World Series game. But I’m really certain the fact that Meyer is part of or associated to the mob/mafia. He seems like a person who chooses to talk to only certain people at certain places, Like when he preferred one restaurant over another on pg74 or on pg 77 when he seemed to leave urgently. We will write a custom essay sample on Comparison of Meyer Wolfstein to Jay Gatsby or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page He is always aware of his surroundings and seems to dislike change. His cufflinks also gave a bitter taste as they were made of the â€Å"finest species of human molars† pg 77. Jay’s Relationship to Wolfstein can be deemed wary, for example they say on pg 78 about how openly talk about Meyer Wolfstein and how he fixed the 1919 World Series game. Personally if I was to talk about something like that I would have been discreet but Meyer Wolfstein and Gatsby have a real connection. It mentions this on pg 76 when Meyer first saw Gatsby and how after just an hour conversation, Meyer felt like he could take Gatsby to meet his Mum and sister. Overall their whole relationship seems highly suspicious, although it could a front to make Gatsby look cool, or might relate to how Gatsby â€Å"would so much so look at a friend’s wife† pg 77. This just makes the reader want to dig deeper to uncover the real truth as each chapter gets more interesting. Source: Novel