oedipus essay questions

Oedipus Rex or Oedipus the King

By sophocles, oedipus rex or oedipus the king essay questions.

Oedipus remains in the dark. Do you agree?

This question asks you to consider the importance of dark and light, and therefore perhaps also sight, in the play. Think metaphorically (i.e. 'in the dark' - unknowing) but also literally (Oedipus' blinding at the end of the play).

Oedipus is old before his time. Do you agree?

This question asks you to consider question of youth and age in Oedipus - though the action of the play happens in a single day, how might Oedipus be considered old? You might also want to think about fathers and children and the impact generation has on age.

This play happens backward. Do you agree?

This question asks you to consider the structure of the play. Look at the section on 'Myth' and consider the way Sophocles alters the story to turn it into a drama. What does Oedipus know at the start of the play? What does he know at the end? What events actually occur during the play - or have all the events happened before it begins?

How might a consideration of the conditions of Greek theatrical performance impact upon our understanding of Oedipus Rex?

This question asks you to consider the importance of the Greek theatrical conventions (particularly masks) that would have originally been employed when Oedipus was performed. Think practically - there were no electric lights, no recorded music, and perhaps even no props. How might this change your interpretation of the play? (See 'About Greek Theater' for more information).

Is Oedipus Rex a private or a public play?

This question asks you to consider the relationship between public and private (or between oikos/polis) in the play. What is the outcome for Thebes? What is the outcome for Oedipus? Is Oedipus to be considered as a father/son/brother or simply as the king of Thebes?

Might Oedipus be more than one man?

This question asks you to consider the play's central inconsistency as potentially one of its themes. The Thebans have heard that Laius was killed by more than one man; in fact, Oedipus alone committed the murder. Think of Oedipus' various roles in the play - king/brother/father/son - and consider whether the conflict of the play might be a conflict between the one and the many.

Do you agree that Oedipus' tragedy happens because of a 'tragic flaw'?

This question asks you to consider that Oedipus' tragedy happens because of a tragic flaw - an opinion that many critics would strongly disagree with. Why do the events of the play happen? Whose fault is it - if anyone's? See Oedipus and Aristotle for more information about the idea of tragic flaws.

"The old seer had eyes" (Oedipus the King, 748). Discuss ideas of sight and blindness in the play.

As well as thinking literally about blindness in Oedipus (Teiresias, in particular) consider the relationship between knowledge and sight. Does Oedipus have any insight into things - can he, perhaps, see better without his eyes?

"I stumbled when I saw" (Gloucester, in Shakespeare's King Lear ). Compare Oedipus Rex to any other play of your choice.

This question invites you to compare Oedipus to any other play. You might want to think about themes, about characters, or what you consider to be the ultimate lesson of the play - just remember to keep comparing: write about both plays at once, not one and then the other. See Useful Comparison Points for some good ideas.

How does Oedipus come to embody the riddle of the Sphinx?

This question requires you to make a connection between the Sphinx riddle's answer - 'man' - and Oedipus' fate. Oedipus, as a consequence of seeking the answer to his kingdom's plague, manages to go through the three stages of the Sphinx's riddle. He is the baby with pierced ankles, crawling on four feet to escape a messenger who would kill him. Then he is the proud adult, king of Thebes, walking on two feet. And finally he is the old, blinded man, walking with a cane, cast out of his own kingdom.

Oedipus Rex or Oedipus the King Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Oedipus Rex or Oedipus the King is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

What does Oedipus seem to believe about his ability to control his own destiny?

It is important to remember that, even at this first stage of the play, Oedipus’ pride does not bring about any of the events that cause the plague. The murder of Laius, after all, happened many years ago, and he already has four children fathered...

Character analysis please?

Oedipus is the king of Thebes, married to Jocasta. He is unaware, at the start of the play, that he has murdered his father and slept with his mother. Soon he learns that it was he that put his kingdom at such terrible risk, and blinds himself...

• Oedipus the King

Jocasta is both Oedipus' wife and mother, though, she is unaware that she has married her son. When she learns that her son was not killed, and was in fact her husband, Jocasta takes her own life.

Study Guide for Oedipus Rex or Oedipus the King

Oedipus Rex (Oedipus the King) study guide contains a biography of Sophocles, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Oedipus Rex or Oedipus the King
• Oedipus Rex or Oedipus the King Summary
• Character List

Essays for Oedipus Rex or Oedipus the King

Oedipus Rex (Oedipus the King) essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Oedipus Rex (Oedipus the King) by Sophocles.

• Hubris in Antigone and Oedipus
• Hubris in Greek Mythology
• Anagnoresis
• Poetics and the Great Greek Tragedy: Oedipus Rex
• The Vision of Blindness: Sight Versus Insight in Sophocles' Oedipus the King

Lesson Plan for Oedipus Rex or Oedipus the King

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to Oedipus Rex or Oedipus the King
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• Oedipus Rex or Oedipus the King Bibliography

E-Text of Oedipus Rex or Oedipus the King

Oedipus Rex (Oedipus the King) e-text contains the full text of Oedipus Rex (Oedipus the King) by Sophocles.

Wikipedia Entries for Oedipus Rex or Oedipus the King

• Introduction
• Relationship with mythic tradition

• The Oedipus Trilogy
• Literature Notes
• Essay Questions
• Play Summary
• Oedipus the King
• Oedipus at Colonus
• About the Oedipus Trilogy
• Character List
• Summary and Analysis: Oedipus the King
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• Character Analysis
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• Ritual and Transcendence in the Oedipus Trilogy
• Full Glossary for The Oedipus Trilogy
• Practice Projects
• Cite this Literature Note

Study Help Essay Questions

1. Near the end of each play in the Oedipus Trilogy, a messenger describes what has happened offstage, usually the most important action in the play. Why do you think Sophocles handles the action in this way? How does the off-stage action — left to the imagination — function in the play?

2. Choose one tragedy and discuss the role of the chorus. Does the chorus change over the course of the play? How does the chorus affect the action? How does it focus and intensify the audience's responses?

3. In Antigone , who is the real main character — Antigone or Creon? Make a case to support your choice.

4. In Oedipus the King , Jocasta, like Oedipus, sees the horror of her identity unfolding. Compare Jocasta to the tragic hero. What are her own ideas about Fate and prophecy? How does she react to her suspicions about Oedipus' birth? How does her final despair differ from Oedipus'?

5. Discuss the differences between Antigone and Ismene in their views of women in society. How does each sister's view shape the choices she makes in the play? How consistent is each in her view?

6. Choose a character who appears in two or more plays of the Oedipus Trilogy, and discuss the similarities and differences in characterization in the plays.

7. Write an essay in which you agree or disagree with the following statement: Antigone is primarily a drama of politics, not of fate.

8. As a prophet, Tiresias speaks for the gods and for Fate. How does the character of Tiresias function dramatically in Oedipus the King and Antigone ?

Previous Full Glossary for The Oedipus Trilogy

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118 Oedipus the King Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

Oedipus the King, also known as Oedipus Rex, is a famous Greek tragedy written by Sophocles. The story follows the tragic downfall of Oedipus, a man who unknowingly kills his father and marries his mother, fulfilling a prophecy that he tried to avoid. This timeless tale has been studied and analyzed for centuries, and there are countless essay topics and examples that can be explored. Here are 118 Oedipus the King essay topic ideas and examples to inspire your next literary analysis:

• The role of fate in Oedipus the King
• Oedipus as a tragic hero
• The theme of blindness in Oedipus the King
• Oedipus's search for truth and self-discovery
• The use of dramatic irony in Oedipus the King
• Oedipus's downfall as a result of his hubris
• The symbolism of the Sphinx in Oedipus the King
• The role of the chorus in Oedipus the King
• Oedipus's relationships with Jocasta and Tiresias
• The significance of the oracle's prophecy in Oedipus the King
• Oedipus's tragic flaw and its consequences
• The portrayal of women in Oedipus the King
• The influence of Oedipus's parents on his fate
• The theme of free will vs. fate in Oedipus the King
• Oedipus's journey from ignorance to enlightenment
• The role of the gods in Oedipus the King
• The impact of Oedipus's actions on the people of Thebes
• Oedipus's struggle with identity and self-acceptance
• The symbolism of sight and blindness in Oedipus the King
• Oedipus's tragic fate and its implications for the audience
• The conflict between individual will and societal expectations in Oedipus the King
• Oedipus's relationship with his children, Antigone and Ismene
• The theme of power and authority in Oedipus the King
• Oedipus's role as a leader and king in Thebes
• The impact of Oedipus's actions on his family and kingdom
• The significance of Oedipus's exile at the end of the play
• The theme of justice and punishment in Oedipus the King
• Oedipus's moral dilemmas and ethical choices
• The portrayal of Oedipus's character development throughout the play
• The role of prophecy and oracles in Oedipus the King
• Oedipus's relationships with Creon and the other characters in the play
• The symbolism of the plague in Thebes in Oedipus the King
• Oedipus's struggle with authority and control
• The theme of redemption and forgiveness in Oedipus the King
• Oedipus's journey towards self-awareness and acceptance
• The significance of Oedipus's self-inflicted punishment at the end of the play
• Oedipus's role as a tragic hero and his ultimate downfall
• The theme of guilt and shame in Oedipus the King
• Oedipus's relationships with his parents and the impact of their actions on his fate
• The symbolism of Oedipus's name and its significance in the play
• Oedipus's struggle with his own identity and destiny
• The theme of prophecy and predestination in Oedipus the King
• Oedipus's relationships with the gods and their influence on his fate
• The significance of Oedipus's journey from ignorance to knowledge
• Oedipus's role as a tragic hero and the impact of his actions on those around him
• The theme of pride and arrogance in Oedipus the King
• Oedipus's relationships with Jocasta and Tiresias and their impact on his fate
• The symbolism of Oedipus's physical blindness and its metaphorical implications
• Oedipus's struggle with his own mortality and the inevitability of death
• The theme of family and legacy in Oedipus the King
• Oedipus's relationships with his children and the impact of his actions on their lives
• The significance of Oedipus's relationship with his parents and its influence on his fate
• Oedipus's role as a father and the impact of his actions on his children
• The symbolism of Oedipus's journey towards self-awareness and acceptance
• Oedipus's relationships with the other characters in the play and their impact on his fate
• The theme of betrayal and loyalty in Oedipus the King
• Oedipus's role as a leader and king in Thebes and the impact of his actions on his kingdom
• Oedipus's struggle with guilt and shame and the impact of his actions on his fate
• The significance of Oedipus's journey from ignorance to knowledge and self-awareness
• The significance of Oedipus's relationships with the other characters in the play
• The significance of Oedipus's role as a tragic hero and his ultimate downfall
• Oedipus's journey from ignorance to enlightenment and self-discovery
• The theme of blindness and sight in Oedipus the King
• The significance of Oedipus's journey towards self-awareness and acceptance
• The symbolism

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92 Oedipus the King Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best oedipus the king topic ideas & essay examples, 👍 good essay topics on oedipus the king, 💡 most interesting oedipus the king topics to write about, ❓ oedipus the king essay questions.

• The Role of Prophecies in Oedipus the King Laius is the rule of Thebes; he learns from oracle that his son Oedipus will kill him and usurp his throne.
• Blindness in Oedipus Rex & Hamlet Therefore, in this play, the sighted like Oedipus and Jocasta are ‘blind’ to the truth whilst the blind like Teiresias can see the truth. We will write a custom essay specifically for you by our professional experts 808 writers online Learn More
• Sons and Lovers: A Psychoanalytic Reading This essay offers a psychoanalytic reading of the novel Sons and Lovers and addresses the psychological needs of Paul and Gertrude Morel both conscious and unconscious and examines how the dynamics of their relationship mirror […]
• Hamlet vs. Oedipus Compare and Contrast Essay In his speech to his brother-in-law Creon, the proud king voices the desire to find the murderer to secure not only the wellbeing of his state but his safety as a ruler as well.
• Oedipus the King The king is in conflict with himself. The king’s behavior is in conflict with the character of Oedipus king.
• Oedipus Rex Critical Analysis | Critical Writing Example The advancement of art in the Greek cities cannot be compared to any in the other civilizations that existed at the time. Most of Sophocles’ plays emphasize the tragedies of life and the pain inherent […]
• Psychological Theories of Sophocles’ Oedipus the King One of the greatest tragedies of Sophocles, Oedipus the King touches upon a deep psychological theme of the parents-son relations which lately was called the Oedipus complex and the theme of faith as a main […]
• Free Will and Fate in Sophocles’ Oedipus the King Drama Even though the role of fate and prophecy is significant in influencing the life of Oedipus, the king’s destiny can be discussed as a direct result of his actions, choices, and decisions.
• Oedipus as a Tragic Hero By the end of the paper, the reader should be able to identify a strong correlation between Oedipus and the tragic hero outlined by Aristotle in the Poetics.
• Role of Fate and Divine Intervention in Oedipus and The Odyssey This is because while the gods are obviously responsible for choosing the path that one’s life is to take, it still takes the free will of the involved person to follow that path.
• Oedipus the King as a Piece of Classic Literature This story is nothing short of a treasure in terms of the use of literary devices, and various other techniques employed by the writer to elevate this work to the status of one of the […]
• “Oresteia” by Aeschylus and “Oedipus the King” by Sophocles: Family Tragedies In this way, Agamemnon presents imperfections in the family under consideration with the tragedy of this family rooting in the wife’s unfaithfulness to her husband and the father’s sacrificing his daughter in exchange for the […]
• “Oedipus the King”: An Athenian Tragedy by Sophocles The main characters of the play are the members of a royal family, the rulers of the city of Thebes, King Oedipus and his wife Jocasta.
• Comparison Between the Book “Oedipus – The King” and the Movie “Omen” The only difference between the ‘Oedipus’ and ‘Omen’ is that of mode in which the crime is committed, or in other words, is the curse initiated.
• How Does Oedipus Exhibit Weakness of Character? At the start of the play, he was not aware that he had slept with his mother or that he had murdered his father.
• Hamlet and King Oedipus Literature Comparison This essay compares the characters and roles of both Hamlet and King Oedipus as the sons who have to deliver justice to their fathers’ killers.
• Gregor’s Relationship With His Father in “The Matamorphosis” This paper seeks to explore the father and son relationships in Metamorphosis and Oedipus the King and offers a comparison for the two.
• Sophocles’ Oedipus the King and Aeschylus’ Agamemnon On the other hand, Clytemnestra, a character in Agamemnon, is the daughter of a king and a Greek leader. Love is not the getting and having in times of joy, it is the giving, serving, […]
• Comparison and Contrast of Two Plays: “Comedy of Errors” by William Shakespeare and “Oedipus the King” by Sophocles The main character Oedipus in the play “Oedipus the King”; is full of pride which he loses at the end and has to bow down to fate.
• Prophecies in Oedipus the King In Oedipus the King, one of the persons, who receive prophesies that project a doomed end, is King Laius; who is the biological father to Oedipus. Oedipus then arrives back to his father’s land, Thebes […]
• Exploration of Art Theater: Comparing and Contrasting “Oedipus Rex” and “Death of a Salesman” Proposals to the queen and the execution of the king are two coincidences in “Oedipus Rex”. On the other hand, as Cohen notes, “the death of Willy is a tragedy while the failure of his […]
• Strength of Oedipus Character One day, while Oedipus was on his way, he had a dispute with the King of Thebes and unknown to him he killed him after having the argument.
• Women in Literature: Oedipus the King and The Odyssey Two major works of literature, ‘Oedipus the king’ and ‘The Odyssey’, provide some of the best examples of how the role of female characters is portrayed in different ways and how these women influence the […]
• Drama Oedipus the King by Sophocles The key aspects of Sophocles’ play capture the learners’ interest in the purpose of comedy and twist of fate. The theme of tragedy is illustrated in the play, Oedipus the King.
• World Literature. Oedipus the King by Sophocles The Delphic Oracle informed that this famine served as a punishment from the gods for not having reattributed the murderer of the Oedipus royal predecessor; therefore, Oedipus ironically vowed to find the murderer.”Just as if […]
• The Other Character in Oedipus The King The chorus in Oedipus, the King is an additional set of characters, the Theban elders. They represent “the people” of the city, and they alternately pray, bemoan their fate, or criticize the King.
• Inexorability of Fate in Sophocles’ Oedipus the King Soon, Oedipus also understands that the prophecy has come true and that he is the source of the curse for the kingdom.
• Responsibility and Punishment: “Oedipus Rex” by Sophocles Although the death of his father signifies his own downfall, nonetheless, one could argue that Oedipus acted in self-defense, in that he was attacked unexpectedly while travelling alone and out of fear of losing his […]
• Literary Devices in “Everyman” and “Oedipus the King” Thus, the main feature of the play “Everyman” is that the main protagonist has no name and is not a specific character. The main protagonist in “Oedipus the King” is Oedipus himself, who is the […]
• “Oedipus King” by Sophocles and “Hamlet” by Shakespeare The protagonist is on the verge of madness: an intelligent and unexcelled humanist in the world, which is an enemy to his ideas. However, Oedipus later comes to terms with his fate and takes responsibility […]
• Sophocles. Oedipus the King. Michael W.Cox. Analysis of the Play It is open to anyone reading the play to make a personal conclusion as to the degree of pain and suffering that Jocasta went through in her life.
• Oedipus the King and Ancient Greek Culture Oedipus consults the servant who was sent to abandon him as a child and it is revealed that he was the child of Laius and Jocasta.
• “Oedipus the King” by Sophocle: The Representation of Genre Peculiarities In the tradition of classical dramaturgy of ancient Greeks, the concept of the pay and its representation was driven in terms of the natural play of actors and without decorations.
• “Oedipus the King” Drama by Sophocles It vividly discloses and illustrates the talent of the ancient Greek dramatist as the master of disclosure of the themes that have been topical in the course of development of human society and literature.
• People Get What Deserve. “Oedipus the King” Play Providing some actions people do not always think about the consequences, but it usually appears so that they get what they deserve and the play of the ancient Greek author Sophocles “Oedipus the King” is […]
• “Oedipus the King”: Life Is Ruled by Fate Alone It is known that the plot of the drama is built around an awful tragedy in the life of the protagonist and his surrounding.
• Fate in “Oedipus the King” Play by Sophocles As the story progresses, the protagonist, Oedipus, evolves from his position as the egocentric king of Thebes and rapidly disintegrates into a victim of his own fate.
• The Concept of “Total Flaw” in the Tragedy of Sophocles “Oedipus the King” While both versions indicate extreme passion involved in the killing of Laius and the claiming of Jocasta, the Oedipus in the play greets his subjects with almost concealed disdain and the Oedipus of the film […]
• The Fate of Oedipus, the King Oedipus, born to Laius and Jocasta, the king and queen of Thebes, is destined to “kill his father and mate with his mother”.
• Characters in “Oedipus the King” by Sophocles In this essay, we are going to explore the following issues; first, whether, Oedipus can be perceived as a hero in the traditional meaning of this word, in other words, we have to answer the […]
• Unconscious Knowledge in “Oedipus the King” by Sophocles There is something in the symbolism of his career, and in the words with which it is memorialized, which is evocative of drama not upon the tragic stage but in the theories and speculations of […]
• Theatre in Contemporary Culture: Sophocles’ Oedipus the King The director aims at portraying Oedipus as a confident person and this is very evident in Oedipus’ opening speech in the play as it exudes the authority of a father to his people and brings […]
• Rhetoric. Sophocles’ “Oedipus The King” Oedipus as a ruler is supposed to solve a problem of the disaster that fell upon his state and thus invites a blind prophet, Tiresias, expecting to clarify the causes of the plague.
• Oedipus the King by Sophocles and Proof by David Auburn It is also of the utmost importance to discuss the attitude of two authors towards the very notion of the overwhelming force.
• Gilgamesh and Oedipus the King In the case of Enkidu, he uses his strength to undermine all those going against his will and he is not putting in mind what the results will be to other in the society.
• The Most Complicated Element of Sophocles’s “Oedipus the King” for the Modern Audience Sophocles’s Oedipus the King is one of the most acclaimed plays, but because of the chorus, it may be not successful with the viewer nowadays.
• Will and Fate in Sophocles’ “Oedipus the King” When speaking of Sophocles, he integrates the myth of Oedipus into the plot of the play in order to demonstrate a deep conflict between the will of gods and the will of human beings.
• Oedipus King vs. Macbeth: Drama Comparison The concept reflects the foundation of the decent authority through showing the tendencies of power both in the ancient times and in the period of Renaissance.
• Oedipus the King – Characters and Performance Oedipus’s cleverness makes his candidature to surface as the best individual to inherit the throne, hence becoming the King of Thebes. He is a seer and prophesized that the end times of Oedipus is nigh.
• Oedipus the King by Sophocles Literature Analysis The closer he gets to the truth, the bitter the reality of his dreadful fate unveils. This is the mistake he made as this search made his life full of agony.
• “Oedipus the King” by Sophocles He is aware that his background is not Thebes and is likely to face the threat of the Sphinx. Therefore, it is worth noting that Oedipus provides a good example of the ancient Greeks who […]
• Treatment of Women by Shakespeare and Sophocles Othello disregards the explanation that Desdemona has in regard to the accusation of being unfaithful and kills her.’She’s, like a liar, gone to burning hell, Shakespeare 28.’ After Othello killed Desdemona, he believed more in […]
• Tragic Error in the “Oedipus the King” by Sophocles The main character Oedipus is the King of Thebes. The reward for this work was for Oedipus to be made the King of Thebes.
• Interpreting the Playwrights’ Messages in the Oresteia Trilogy, Oedipus the King, and the Bacchae In Sophocles’s Oedipus the King, the playwright chronicles the narration about the king of Thebes and his eventual fall due to the conflict between the state and the individual values.
• Pride in “Oedipus the King” by Sophocles This divergence in the acceptance of what is said to them between the younger and older versions of Oedipus is based on the fact that the older version of Oedipus had developed a considerable degree […]
• Similarities of the Pericles’ Speech and “Oedipus the King” On the other hand, Sophocles, in the play “Oedipus the King,” emphasizes on the value of the city in the speech of the king.
• Oedipus the King and Hamlet However, the fact is both Oedipus and Claudius managed to get the post of kingship after killing the former kings leaving the seats vacant. In conclusion, both Oedipus and King Claudius attained their crown after […]
• Pride and Arrogance in the “Oedipus the King” by Sophocles As the events unfold and Jocasta senses that Oedipus is indeed her son, she begs him to drop the matter but he decides to have none of this. This leads to the death of Jocasta […]
• Leadership Reign in “Oedipus Tyrannus” by Sophocles In a typical way of people in modern world, Oedipus goes on to question the credibility of the Oracle. Oedipus has to pay for all his sins and face humiliation in front of the very […]
• The Three Themes of the “Oedipus the King” by Sophocles The theme of this story was to address issues that were affecting the people of Thebes during this time and even in times to come.
• Sophocles: Fate in “Oedipus the King” From an initial reading, most readers assume that the tragedies that befall Oedipus and his family are mere actions of free will by both Oedipus, his parents and the shepherd but it is actually the […]
• Othello and Oedipus Rex Characters’ Traits The two characters had to overcome several obstacles in a manner that led many of their followers to respect and honor them, and their royal positions Othello can be considered to be a black member […]
• What Is King Oedipus’s Tragic Flaw in “Oedipus the King”?
• What Did Oedipus Discover About Himself in “Oedipus the King”?
• How Does the Play “Oedipus the King” Provide a Catharsis?
• How Did Oedipus Prevent the Prophecy in “Oedipus the King”?
• What Is the Thesis of “Oedipus the King”?
• How Does Oedipus Cause His Self-Destruction in “Oedipus the King” by Sophocles?
• “Oedipus the King”: Does Oedipus Satisfy the Definition of a Good Man?
• Does Oedipus Sleep With His Mother in “Oedipus the King”?
• What Has Oedipus Gained From His Experience in “Oedipus the King”?
• What Is the Storyline of “Oedipus the King”?
• Are “Oedipus the King” and “Death of a Salesman” Definitive Tragedies?
• Why Does Oedipus Choose to Blind Himself in “Oedipus the King”?
• Can Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman” and Sophocle’s “Oedipus the King” Be Regarded as Tragic Plays?
• When Did Bad Things Happen to Good People in Sophocles’ “Oedipus the King”?
• What Does “Oedipus the King” Show Us About Greek Thought?
• How Is Fate Shown in “Oedipus the King”?
• Why Did Oedipus Marry His Mom in “Oedipus the King”?
• Are “Hamlet” and “Oedipus the King” Dramas of Conscience or Consciousness?
• “Oedipus the King”: Did the Prophecy Cause His Destiny?
• What Page Does Oedipus Find Out the Truth in “Oedipus the King”?
• Are “Oedipus the King” and “Death of a Salesman” Tragedies?
• How Does Oedipus Try to Change His Fate in “Oedipus the King”?
• How Sophocles’ Tragedy “Oedipus the King” Conforms to Aristotle’s Definition of Greek Tragedy?
• How Did Oedipus Discover He Killed His Father in “Oedipus the King”?
• What Is “Oedipus the King” Known For?
• What Causes Oedipus’s Downfall in “Oedipus the King”?
• What Literary Techniques and Themes Do Sophocles and Marquez Use to Portray Dramatic Irony in “Oedipus the King” and “Chronicle of a Death”?
• What Errors Does Oedipus Make in “Oedipus the King”?
• Who Revealed the Truth About Oedipus’s Beginnings in “Oedipus the King”?
• Why Does Oedipus Search for Truth in “Oedipus the King”?
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Oedipus the King Essay Topics & Writing Assignments

Essay Topic 1

Discuss dramatic irony in OEDIPUS THE KING.

1) How does the fact that the audience knows the story of Oedipus affect the way the writer tells the story? How could the story be told differently, if the audience were unfamiliar with it?

2) How does dramatic irony affect the audience's perception of Oedipus? Is the audience more or less sympathetic toward Oedipus? Why or why not? How does the audience perceive Oedipus' quarrels with Teiresias and Creon?

3) How does dramatic irony affect the audience's perception of Jocasta?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss free will and predestination in OEDIPUS THE KING.

1) Is Oedipus predestined to his fate, or does he have free will? Are these two ideas completely incompatible?

2) Can Oedipus be held responsible for his actions, if his fate is predestined?

3) How does predestination affect the position of a ruler? Are all the joys and woes that befall the ruler's...

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Essay Samples on Oedipus

Navigating fate and choice: exploring free will in "oedipus the king".

Free will in Oedipus the King emerges as a central theme that raises profound questions about the interplay between human agency and predetermined destiny, which is discussed in this essay. Sophocles' tragic play delves into the tragic tale of Oedipus, a king whose life is...

• Oedipus The King

"Oedipus Rex" as a Tragedy in Comparison to "Death of a Salesman”

Tragic heroes are literary characters (mainly protagonists) who are always destined for a downfall, suffering, or defeat. Examples of tragic heroes are shown in both “Oedipus Rex” by Sophocles and “Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller. Despite the main character’s best efforts, they both...

• Death of a Salesman

Aristotle's Interpretation of Sophocles' Oedipus: Character Analysis

Sophocles' Oedipus is one of the most notable unfortunate heroes throughout the entire existence of drama. His weird destiny drives him to heartbreaking ruin that leaves both the peruser and the crowd feeling sincerely influenced. As indicated by the meaning of the Greek thinker, Aristotle,...

How is Oedipus a Tragic Hero Despite Being a King

Often loosing what you have, does not necessarily mean losing who you are. In Sophocles’ play, Oedipus Rex, Oedipus, the beloved King of Thebes, attempts to challenge the gods which results in him losing his thrown, his sight, and his family. Although Oedipus has been...

• Tragic Hero

Oedipus: Fate vs Free Will as the Major Theme

In Sophocles' tragic play, 'Oedipus Rex,' the central theme revolves around the eternal debate between fate and free will. Oedipus, the tragic hero, grapples with his predetermined destiny while simultaneously attempting to assert his autonomy and make choices that will shape his life. In the...

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The Effect Of Atheism In Oedipus The King By Sophocles

Oedipus the King is a play written by Sophocles where he narrates the life of a great king who went from royalty to exile. The play is in the form of a tragedy whereby all along, the protagonist, Oedipus, is subject to many significant events...

Oedipus The King: Classic Of Greek Literature

Oedipus the King is a classic when it comes to Greek literature and world literature alike. This play encompasses the tale of Oedipus on his journey to self-discovery. He wins the hearts of the citizens of Thebes in his conquering of the Sphinx and turn,...

The Ultimate Undoing of Oedipus: The Two Sides of the Coin Named Pride

“Pride, a feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired” (“Pride,” def. 1). One’s pride is often seen as self confidence or ignorance....

Oedipa as the Central Figure of The Crying of Lot 49

Few commentaries on the novel are silent on the subject of Oedipa’s name. Most take for granted that it is significant in a straightforward way: by referring the reader to some extra-textual network of meanings the name appropriates some or all of those meanings for...

• The Crying of Lot 49

The Exposure to Free Will of Oedipus' Character

An Individual's choices and behaviour lead to certain consequences that they face in the end. Many believe in higher powers having control over their actions and fate. Others, however, believe they have control over their actions and the consequences that precede them. In Sophocles’ Oedipus...

Oedipus: The Role of Plot in the Play

The plot plays a pivotal role in the fabric of the play. Aristotle states that “plot is the composition of occurrences” (Aristotle) that gives purpose to the characters because it provides them with a foundation of action, something to find solutions to. The series of...

Oedipus and Socrates: Breaking the Limit of Human Wisdom

Both Sophocles’ Oedipus the King and Plato’s Apology explore the limits of human wisdom. Socrates spends times trying to understand the nature of wisdom and whether the people who claim to possess it actually do. This investigation stems from the oracle, who proclaimed that Socrates...

Aristotle's Antigone Tragic Hero in Modern Fiction

A man doesn't become a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall.' This was stated by the man himself, the Greek philosopher Aristotle. Aristotle believed that there was six characteristics a person needed to fit the tragic hero criteria like Oedipus...

• Antigone Tragic Hero

Best topics on Oedipus

1. Navigating Fate and Choice: Exploring Free Will in “Oedipus the King”

2. “Oedipus Rex” as a Tragedy in Comparison to “Death of a Salesman”

3. Aristotle’s Interpretation of Sophocles’ Oedipus: Character Analysis

4. How is Oedipus a Tragic Hero Despite Being a King

5. Oedipus: Fate vs Free Will as the Major Theme

6. The Effect Of Atheism In Oedipus The King By Sophocles

7. Oedipus The King: Classic Of Greek Literature

8. The Ultimate Undoing of Oedipus: The Two Sides of the Coin Named Pride

9. Oedipa as the Central Figure of The Crying of Lot 49

10. The Exposure to Free Will of Oedipus’ Character

11. Oedipus: The Role of Plot in the Play

12. Oedipus and Socrates: Breaking the Limit of Human Wisdom

13. Aristotle’s Antigone Tragic Hero in Modern Fiction

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Oedipus Rex

38 pages • 1 hour read

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

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Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

The philosopher Aristotle considered Oedipus Rex a paragon among plays, and used it to expand on his theory of catharsis—the idea that seeing traumas enacted onstage provides the audience relief through the experience of pity and terror. How does Oedipus Rex bring about catharsis? Look for specific moments in the play to support your ideas.

If you were directing Oedipus Rex , how would you encourage the actor playing Jocasta to describe Laius’s attempted infanticide or the actor playing Oedipus to describe fleeing from the people he believes are his parents? Why would you stage these scenes this way?

The Chorus provides interludes of music, dance, and commentary. What dramatic, thematic, and emotional roles does the Chorus serve?

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