Oedipus the King (Essay Sample)

Oedipus the KingStudent’s NameInstitution Affiliation
The imagery employed of light and darkness is used in the play to highlight several themes, for example, the theme of sight and blindness. Oedipus insults and makes fun of Tiresias, the blind man for his inability to see. He doubts the truth told by Tiresias and as such doubts Tiresias himself and his ability to communicate truth. This is because Tiresias is blind and cannot have seen it happen. The imagery brings out the theme of irony, expressed in Oedipus doubting Tiresias, who is right. Oedipus may have the ability to see, but in real sense he is really blind. When Oedipus gouges his eyes out, he becomes blind to the reality around him, and he is able to see truth.
Tiresias tell Oedipus, "Those clear-seeing eyes shall then be darkened.”
"I live on hopes-all blind for today and blind for tomorrow.”
This imagery has also been used to express hope and salvation. As the play unfolds, the people of Thebes are looking for someone who can bring light into their lives since the whole city has been laid to waste, to darkness. Oedipus gives his answer to the riddle of the sphinx and brings light to the people.
The roles that the chorus and choragus assume and their functions
The Chorus represents elders of the city of Thebes. They break up one scene from the next and summarize the scene, show the emotion shown by the elders of Thebes and interpret the whole scene. The chorus illustrates what the people think about Oedipus and his action, which enables the reader to develop a perspective on his actions. The chorus is a representation of the people, and their work is to show concern over what goes on in Thebes. At time Choragus, the leader of the chorus speaks as a character himself.
At the very beginning of the play, the chorus appearance describes the plague in detail and the weakness of all humans. They evaluate the actions of Oedipus and his royalty and what it means for them in terms of the plague. Their work is to counter the selfishness of Oedipus and Lokaste. The whole city is being affected, and they need to make sure Oedipus ends the plague and prevents anyone from dying. Choragus, the leader of the chorus speaks to Oedipus and tells him of clairvoyant to the lord Apollo. The only one who had the ability to help the king learn about the causes that contributed to the plague. This man is later seen as the seer Tiresias, " the holy prophet in whom alone of all men, truth was born.”
In the middle of the play, the chorus appearance shows that people are on Oedipus’s side. After the second scene, the chorus is disturbed and worried about the lack of religious fervor and faith shown by Lokaste and Oedipus
After the third scene, the chorus makes speculation about the birth of Oedipus, stating that he might be a demi-god. After the fourth scene, the chorus laments the fall of Oedipus. After noting the change in Oedipus, the chorus notes the changes as well through the ‘greatness behind him’. The chorus as seen in the play is also given the last word. It conflates the people of Thebes with the audience and delivers a message stating that "count no man happy, till he dies of pain at last." This gives a false sense of closure. However, it’s not good to conclude that Oedipus is dead. He wonders somewhere outside of Thebes, blind and miserable.
In summary, the chorus acts as a reinforcer of emotions as characters (Choragus), interpreters of emotion and commentators upon the action in the play
Oedipus is completely fated. He simply has no choice.
I do not agree with the statement above. Oedipus is completely fated but has free will. Oedipus ...