Mother of Mercy Institute.

Rector: Eschpach, Adriana.

Director of Study: Ledesma, María del Carmen.

Professor: Eschpach, María.

Fegundiz, Alejandra Beatriz.

Course: 4th 'A' Economics and Administration.

REPORT: Oedipus Rex

Posadas (Mnes). Thursday, August 1, 2019.

1. Who was Oedipus Rex and why was he important.

The report would begin its development by briefly explaining the work of 'Oedipus Rex' but
it would lead one to ask 'Who is Oedipus Rex? Why is he important?'; A day in the city
From Cadmos (In Thebes) there was a God of fire who took possession of everything, leaving thus with

its presence a Plague they named 'Sphinx'. Soon after, a young man appeared
that could be the solution to everything and so he did: He saved everyone. This made him beloved.
by all until reaching the point of marrying the Queen Widow, once this was done, he was given the
name of King Oedipus.

Now that it has been explained, we can start developing the important aspects.
found on your journey. The work is not written chronologically, so at any
part (For example, with the Oracles) one can glimpse moments from the past or upcoming ones or
to occur since for doubts about their life they turned to the prophecies sent by the
the very same Gods.

The most important themes described in this work are the Prophecies, as already mentioned,
they were visions of life revealed by Oracles and can be identified in two moments:
When the late Laius consults about the future of his son and another when Oedipus consults.
about his future.

Both male subjects, Layo and Oedipus, tried to avoid such visions of life.
one killing his newborn son and another fleeing from his "home" (Yes, in quotes since
this is not true and was developed in the following pages).

On the other hand, at the beginning of the work, when we find claimants from the village
approach the home of Oedipus and the named one comes out to communicate, it can also be appreciated the

moments of divination by Creon who addresses a seer. Tiresias, where

(...) How terrible it is to know, when knowing is useless! I knew this and I have forgotten it, otherwise

I wouldn't have come here

(Sophocles, 2006, Page 17)

As in the previous title, Tiresias, an Oracle, commented on the future of the plague and the
what could possibly happen: To find the murderer of the late former King Laius.

The men were toys and puppets of the Gods, nothing of what people
they could affect his lifeline. No one, not even the greatest king, could change it.

This changed over time. If you focus between the 5th century BC and the present day.
You can see the great difference that arises between religion: Currently, you can find such
religions such as Catholicism, Adventism, Evangelicalism, etc. But moving backwards they
they obeyed (so to speak) mythological gods such as Zeus, Poseidon, and Athena, in
Today, predestination no longer exists; it is coincidence and causality, suffering or encountering.
Something, it is more about the ability that a person has to be able to do something.

In theory, there is a phrase that we can highlight a lot:

(…) The fate of men is predetermined and nothing and no one can
twist it

(Cf AAVV, 2008, Page 15)

As humans were puppets of the gods, they had to be very careful about what they did.
to avoid offending them. Due to this remark, Oedipus felt compelled to investigate the murder
from the former King Layo to free his people from the plague.

Oedipus must then arrive at the truth because by swearing a commitment to the gods not
he can fail his word with that people, himself and the unnatural (To give it another name to
the gods already named)

Out of topic, Sophocles raises in his work an investigation to arrive at a truth to

Just like the above but different, predestination opposes the concept of free will.
free will that holds that destiny is the work of each person.

For example, predestination, if you sin or swear in vain, you are marking your wrong path.
since the gods saw everything, and if that person didn't pay, the others would.

With the free choice, it was just the opposite, they could say 'I swear' and it was a lie, no
there was no God questioning him. This tends to happen even more in the present since it is usually given
a bad view or "streak" towards religion.

And speaking of religion, it can be said with ninety-nine percent certainty that the
Greeks were polytheists. What does this mean? That they worshipped many gods (this is no longer...
new after what was discussed) and each of those gods they worshiped governed an aspect of the
human life.

According to the Greeks, the gods could communicate with mortals through the
oracles. The oracles were the answers that the gods provided to men for
by means of priests or priesthoods.

(Cf AAVV, 2008, Page 16)

The oracles of Delphi were located in the temple dedicated to Apollo, the Pythia or priestess.
he responded to the inquiries with disjointed phrases that the priesthood then provided to them
respective meanings.

That was what was happening in Oedipus Rex at the moment when Tiresias revealed what
knew about the cause of the plague. The interpretation they gave to these visions about life of the
murderer and the misfortunes he was going to suffer; since the prophecies are very ambiguous, things happen

that trigger a tragic and sad ending. It can be observed in the work when Tiresias
he directs to Oedipus, saying:

(…) You insult me, unfortunate one, with the same words with which each one of these you
will be injured very soon.

(Sophocles, 2007, Page 18)

In reference to the psychology of Sigmund Freud, it states that the incestuous relationship and the

The theme of parricide is the axis of the tragedy. In contrast, Michel Foucault can still be understood.
more, since this says that Oedipus Rex can be understood according to the conception given to it by the family in

the twentieth century, but not to that of ancient Greece.

Here, a comparison can be made in several aspects:

The Greek family was more liberal and permissive than the current one.

For the Greeks, the family was not the basis for the formation of the individual.
The essential thing was public performance.
It is currently frowned upon by society.

To explain it better, an example will be given; in Sparta, male children were

This can be reflected in Oedipus Rex when Jocasta (Ex-wife of Laius and wife of
Oedipus, his son) and Laius decide to dispose of their newborn to avoid the prophecy revealed by
the oracles.

But since the prophecy could not be changed, the one in charge of killing Oedipus gave him away to a ...

family. The same old man or 'servant' could confirm it, and so he did in front of Oedipus and the messenger.
as we can appreciate below:

They said he was your son (...) For what purpose? (...) For me to finish him off.

(Sophocles, 2007, Page 39)

It can also be seen how it references religion (Already developed), due to the
The way the Greeks accepted the mandate of the Gods highlights that the family does not
it was a fundamental pillar of life. The State functions thanks to the participation of citizens
and the family takes a back seat.
 5. The history, truths, and many lies.

So, compiling everything developed in the report, we can outline the events.
most important of the work.

First, the prophecies; it was developed at different times in the life of Oedipus and helped
the majority to solve the murder.

Secondly, the truths. It's something that was not mentioned enough since history is
secrets and lies of a relationship, in this case, that of Jocasta and Oedipus. A lot was taken into
reference that it was not new and innovative at times.

Third, the lies and the secrets. Although it was not developed in depth, since it did not
We can categorize it as interesting, as the questions and secrets are evident from the very beginning.

In the end, we can bring two quotes. The first one, with the news of the suicide of
Yocasta:

"Something very brief: Our sacred queen, Jocasta, no longer exists!"

(Sophocles, 2007, Page 40)

And the second, when Oedipus asks to be expelled after becoming blind by his own.
threats and slander

That you cast me far from my homeland (...) Take me out of here then

(Sophocles, 2007, Page 46 and 47)

To conclude this report, we can highlight certain important aspects of the work:
The outcome in the tragedy and how it unfolds. The story is about how religion can influence.
People and truths always come to light. This is Oedipus Rex: A lie within another.
lie that becomes a secret.

The objectives were met to the letter as I was able to show exactly what I
that I felt was remarkable.

About the work: I liked being able to develop the report from my point of view, I see it
Very personal but I feel that I could have developed even more even though the information is limited.

Oedipus Rex

Reformulation

Theory

Examples

Reformulation
 Introduction

In the following report, the development of the work 'Oedipus Rex' will be carried out.
Sophocles, where lies and secrets encompass most of the narrative.

The aim is to reinforce the content, to correctly apply the use of noteworthy citations from the
to work and inform the reader deeply from a perspective different from the work. In addition to being able to reinforce
everything learned in class.
 Bibliography

AAVV Language and Literature 1. Buenos Aires, Puerto de Palos Publishing, 2008.
Sophocles: Oedipus Rex. Buenos Aires, Gradifco, 2007