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2 pages/≈550 words
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Level:
MLA
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Literature & Language
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Essay
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English (U.S.)
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Topic:
Oedipus Essay (Essay Sample)
Instructions:
Choose one of the prompts and answer it in a 500-word, imaginative and well-constructed essay.
The idea of fate and/or karma is prevalent in literature. Explain how Oedipus exemplifies this theme discussing how it functions to further both the plot and moral of the play.
Does the downfall of Oedipus result from a tragic flaw? If not, explain the cause for the downfall in detail, creating an alternate argument. If so, identify the tragic flaw and discuss how this impediment leads to Oedipus’ downfall.
Tiresias’ prophecy could be considered self- fulfilling. Prove this statement and examine how prophecy in general works throughout the course of the play.
How does Sophocles manipulate different literary terms to enhance the theme of the play?
Some would describe pride as a shameful or poisonous trait, while others would describe it as a typical and necessary human trait. Is pride normal and good or is it to be avoided at all costs?
How do the ideas of blindness and sight correlate to the ideas of knowledge and ignorance throughout the play?
Using your background knowledge from Oedipus, answer the question: Why did the chicken cross the road? (This is a prompt that asks you to think philosophically or metaphorically, if you are not going to take it seriously, do not choose it.)
Directions:
Your essay must include:
An introduction of at least 10 sentences.
2. A conclusion of at least 10 sentences.
3. Three body paragraphs of at least 12-15 sentences each.
4. A Works Cited Page and be in proper MLA format
At least 3 quotes from the play to support your arguments.
At least 3 quotes from ONE outside source to help support your argument. Your source MUST come from an academic article that you find through the Thomas University academic databases. If you don’t know how to find an academic article, please contact the TU library and the librarians will be happy to help you. You are NOT allowed to use internet sources that you find via google. If you do this, you will not receive credit for your paper.
Here is a more detailed description of what I would like you to do for this essay:
Introduction:Your introduction should include a thesis statement that is underlined. This should be the last sentence of your introduction. Please make sure that your introduction is 10-12 sentences. A great way to introduce your paper is to give us some background information on the poet you choose.
Conclusion:Make sure that your conclusion is long enough (10 sentences) and that you restate your thesis in the conclusion in other words.
Three body paragraphs:
Each one needs to be 12-15 sentences long. Remember that each paragraph needs to be well-defined with a topic sentence at the beginning that will guide the reader and let the reader know what you will be talking about.
The last thing that you need to do is an MLA Works Cited Page that includes a citation for your outside source that you found via the Thomas University library databases.
PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOUR ESSAY DOES NOT FOLLOW THESE BASIC GUIDELINES, I WILL RETURN IT TO YOU UNREAD AND ASK YOU TO FOLLOW THEM BEFORE I READ YOUR PAPER. source..
Content:
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Oedipus Essay
Introduction
Fate/ karma is usually considered the occurrences bound to happen in the near or distant future resulting from one's actions. This essay will examine the theme of fate /karma from the play, explaining the play's morals and plots and illustrating how Oedipus dealt with significant problems after killing his father and marrying his mother. Further, after committing tragic offenses, Oedipus exiled himself from the kingdom, committing suicide because of the bad decision he chose to follow. Lastly, the paper explained the characters' engagements in irrational behaviors, thus leading to fateful events due to the choices we make in our lives resulting in the prevalence of fate and karma as seen from the literature.
In the play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, the main character Oedipus is dealing with significant problems due to eagerness that blinded him, which demonstrates the theme of karma in the play. The theme explains how Oedipus did not know he was an abandoned child until later, leading to him killing his own father, Laos, and wedding his mother, Locate. Espousing his mother is one of many things portrayed as karma for his past activities, the ethic of the story is predominant in this piece due to the notion of seeking to know the truth regardless of the pain it might cause you. Searching for the truth blinded Oedipus, as he paid for it (John, p.192). Further, when speaking to Tiresias in the beginning act of the play, Oedipus’ boldness becomes apparent.
Unable to bear their circumstances, Oedipus and Locasta devote themselves back to sadness; Sophocles' Oedipus Rex exemplifies this because Oedipus sees justice as a way to save himself from the revelation, which will only lead to disaster. After all, a person must follow what the saints have already fated. Oedipus sees his quest for justice as a means of shielding himself from his destined truth. As ruler of Thebes, Oedipus considers he must bring justice to Laius, so he declares, "... I will bring it all to light myself to return our focus to the murdered victim (Aleena p.60)." Oedipus believes he has already escaped his fate and that this action is simply a King attempting to defend his dynasty. Nonetheless, Oedipus' real tenacity results in Tiresias revealing that Oedipus is the murderer (Rebecca Weld, "Prophesying Tragedy: Emblem and Sound in Sophocles"). Reluctant to trust, Oedipus claims that Creon and Tiresias are plotting against him, resulting in the change from viewing equality as a simple act of duty to viewing justice as a means of Oedipus' salvation.
In Sophocles' play, humanity revolves around fate, restricting the freedom to choose a role in society for the tragic event is Sophocles seen in the Athenian classical play. This drama contains characters with good qualities and liable to their tragic fate. Oedipus and his parents engage in irrational behavior, resulting in self-harm and teaching lessons. When he realizes that the Oracle's prediction of murdering his father and marrying his mother has come true, Oedipus condemns himself by exiling the nation and gauging his eyes out (Kalman, p 238). Thus, evaluating ...
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