Culbreath 1

Myia Culbreath Coach Mrs. Metcalf Essay 3 October 2012 How I Married Your Mother
The story of Oedipus is a horrid example of how trying to avoid the future, could make it become more of a possibility and have harsher consequences than preparing for it. The tale of Oedipus Rex was originated in Greece and the name literally translates to swollen foot. This tale is one of the most commonly known tragedies, when the main character of noble birth attempts to reach a goal but is ultimately defeated, and has been translated multiple times to a more modern text. Oedipus was given prophesy when he was younger that predicted he would murder his father and marry his mother when he became of age. The play Oedipus Rex was first performed by the Greek in 429 BCE. The play reveals information in a nonchronological form presenting situational irony because the other characters are aware of something that Oedipus is not, his prophesy has come true. The structure of the play manipulates viewers thinking to introduce different information to add a surprise once everything is unraveled about Oedipus. The prophesy states that Oedipus will kill his father then marry his mother. His mother knowing this tried to avoid the terrible fate by sending for a shepherd to make the child disappear, but he felt bad for him and instead saved him (lines 1-6, Page 29). The similarities between the tale and the play originate after Laius, the king, dies and Jocasta, his wife, is married. If the man that has married Jocasta also killed Laius, then surely prophesy has been fulfilled. To the viewers knowledge by the mid-late beginning, theyre aware of who the prime suspect is for killing the king, the queens husband, Oedipus. The writer has created situational irony with the viewers knowledge of information that the protagonist, and unintentional antagonist, doesnt.

Culbreath 2 The kingdoms people are in dire need of help (lines 1-7, Page 2), but Creon has brought news that Apollo has stated that there is something or someone in the city that will destroy it if not destroyed itself (lines 1-4, Page 4). Oedipus offers his assistance to the people of Thebes as it is his duty, and begins trying to avenge the death of the previous king, Laius (Paragraphs 1-2, Page 5). The first person he accuses of the crime is Creon, then the seer, Teiresias, after he tells Oedipus that hes the one destroying the city (Lines 21-24, Page 9). Oedipus denies it and wont listen to the seer or be disrespected by some blind prophet. He begins to feel victimized and loses trust in everyone so he is persistent in finding who has brought distress to his city (page 14). The shepherd, sole survivor from the mass deaths of the king and his men, is called in to retell the events that occurred on that day. The shepherd explains that he worries that his actions years ago with saving the royal child, could have caused the death of the king. The tension begins to build here as the writer gives small hints of the truth. He then reveals that Oedipus might be this child and his entire world and perception of life changes dramatically. The mystery of the killer, though, continues to build because the shepherd reveals that he is unsure and no one present wants to believe that they have been deceived. Jocasta realizes what she has done, connects all the pieces together, and hangs herself after knowing her actions have added to this horrid situation. The writer intensifies the situations tension with this death and also Oedipus realization and eventual utter destruction (Page 29-31). The truth has been revealed and the Kingdom sorrowed. The writer builds up tension in the story by revealing different information at different times confusing the viewer of if Oedipus is the true killer or not. In the beginning multiple people are suspected, but in the end it is found to be Oedipus. With his mother and father dead, he blinds himself. The writer adds a great mystery

Culbreath 3 with presenting that there may have been only one killer. The kingdom is surprised and broken, but the true killer has been found. After denying it and blaming those around him, he has no choice but to accept and realize that his fate has come true.

Culbreath 4 Work Cited

Beers, G K. Holt Elements of Literature. Austin, TX: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2006. Print. Sophocles. Oedipus Rex. Trans. George Theodoridis. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Bacchicstage Wordpress. Web. <bacchicstage.wordpress.com>.