Synthesis

As the play goes on I begin to see Oedipus as a weak character. Oedipus should have considered other ways to amend for what he had done. Now his daughters are without a father and will be shunned by society also. He only considered himself until the very end. Ultimately I saw the how society rejects incest and the toll it takes on family members such as Oedipus’ daughters. Oedipus’ daughters were affected even though they did not do anything wrong. The play also showed me how leadership can be affected by other factors other than how well you actually can lead. For an example because when the citizens found out Oedipus committed incest he is now seen as a bad leader even though he was revered and seen the highest of men.  Suddenly he was the bottom of society and no longer could hold the position of “King.” His daughters were even taken from him and it is only until the very last moment before they leave that he realizes he is no longer even able to see them grow up because he blinded himself and cannot be there to support them. “How I weep for you- I cannot see you now… / just thinking of all your days to come, the bitterness, / the life that rough mankind will thrust upon you, / the banquets of the clans?” (1627-1631) Oedipus is finally realizing the impact he has on his daughters. However he is a weak character because he should have not blinded himself and took care of his daughters.

Quote 1

CHORUS.

“”Thebes, city of death, one long cortege

and the suffering rises

wails for mercy rise

and the wild hymn for the Healer blazes out

clashing with our sobs our cries of mourning-

O golden daughter of god, send rescue

radiant as the kindness in your eyes!’ “

(214-218)

Analysis The beginning talks about the “wild hymn” might be referring to a virgin that is “for the Healer”  this might be hinting a reward for saving the city. Eyes are used to describe the scene before us of a city in ruins and the chorus cries out for help. “O golden daughter of god, send rescue”. The mention of eyes is used throughout the whole story. “Our sobs our cries” is also relating to eyes because crying gives you the imagery of their eyes closed and tears dropping.The chorus also talks about the kindness seen in your eyes in line 218. Seeing kindness and the direct word “eyes” hints the unfortunate future for Oedipus that everyone knows is imminent except for Oedipus himself. Response:

I feel a very gloomy and somber mood from the passage. There is a sickening scene of death and crying. "and the young wives and gray - haired mothers with them / cling to the altars, trailing in from all over the city-" (209-210) The deaths described in line 205 also gives off a very somber mood.

Quote 2

OEDIPUS.

“O god- / all come true, all burst to light!

O light- now let me look at my last on you!

I stand revealed at last-

cursed in my birth, cursed in marriage,

cursed in the lives I cut down with these hands!” 

(1305-1310)

Analysis

Light is used as a reference to eyes or seeing. For an example when something comes to light you see the true meaning or something for what it really is, Oedipus says “burst to light!” In the next line Oedipus also says “look at my last on you” is foreseeing that he will soon blind himself because he will have his “last look”.  He already has an idea forming in his head at least subconsciously that he will blind himself.

Response

I cringe when there is a reference to eyes or light. I cringe because of light because it is associated with seeing. The last line made me imagine him getting ready to slice his eyes. I felt pity for Oedipus but he should have been more aware that this was a possibility. If he firmly believed in the gods and the Oracle then he should have took the Oracles word more seriously instead of jumping to the conclusion someone was trying to ruin him.

The image shows light and how closely associated it is with the eye.

Quote 3

MESSENGER.

“ ‘You shall see no more of the pain I suffered, all the pain I caused! 
Too long you looked on the ones you never should have seen, 
blind to the ones you longed to see, to know! Blind
from this hour on! Blind in the darkness- blind!’ " (1405-1409)

Analysis

Oedipus is so upset after he finally sees the truth so he gouges out his eyes. “Blind from this hour on.” This part also seems to show the messenger’s sake because if someone just gouged out their eyes they would not be saying all of this… They would be screaming in pain. “Blind” is used in every sentence to emphasize.the importance of this event. In line 1408 it is also interesting to point out that "Blind" is starting the next line but is placed on a separate line. Emphasis is shown because lines 1408-1409 blind is stressed two times in both of these lines.

Response

 Oh, Why not join Jocasta,
in the grave? Why blind yourself instead?
So stupid of you. Blind

Oedipus should have just joined Jocasta in the grave. If he really wanted to punish himself. I personally feel like blinding yourself instead of giving up your life is not fair. Oedipus is a weak character because he chose to blame Creon and said Creon was trying to ruin him. If he had considered what the Oracle said he would have more time to process the information and perhaps hew would have handled the situation better.

Quote 4

CHORUS.

“I pity you but I can’t bear to look,

I’ve much to ask, so much to learn, 

so much fascinates my eyes,

but you … I shudder at the sight.”
(1439-1442)

Analysis

The chorus seems to be mocking Oedipus about his sight. They keep talking about “looking’, “eyes” , and mention “sight” as well. The last line of “I shudder at the sight “ The chorus also clearly shows that the society does not condone incest and considers it a deep sin. “I shudder at the sight.” shows how deeply it is forbidden in this society because a shudder is an involuntarily action.

Response
I feel bad for Oedipus because he is now considered a reject of society. I feel sympathy for him 

because he will have to live the rest of his life pained and he will only be thinking about what he has 

done. It's a terrible feeling to feel like you do not belong.