Athena Hammond

Thre 120

9/14/01

Oedipus Rex

Oedipus Rex was written during the fifth century. A time when Rome was

in power and Athens was the center of the world. In this time people beleived that

gods controlled all. Fate and destiny could never be escaped and as is shown in

this play, no one can change their own destiny. The fact that this play takes place

in less than one day's time means that many desicions are made in a rash and

uninformed fashion. After finding out that his destiny has been fulffiled Oedipus

blinds himself out of pain and the wish that he would never look upon the misery

and horror that he himself has unknowingly created.

The play is set in Thebes, recently a great powerfull city, but has been

stuck by sickness and death. Most of the action takes place within the coutyard

of the King's palace. This setting represents power and arrogance. The fact that
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Oedipus does not go to anyone, everyone, including his wife comes to him suggests

this arrogance. He still fears the destiny foretold to him, but he beleives that he can

change that destiny by staying away from his family. Pg. 59 line 360 tells of this fear

and belief. "As, that I should lie with my own mother, breed children from whom all

men would turn their eyes; And that I should be my father's murderer. I heard all

this, and fled. And from that day Corinth to me ...

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