Writing Focus - Theme Analysis
Perhaps the most prevelant theme in Oedipus the King/Oedipus Rex is blindness versus sight. Remember, this theme is continued throughout the tragedy. It is best seen when the prophet Tiresias visits Oedipus. Here, Tiresias has the inner vision given to him by the gods. Oedipus mocks him for his lack of sight, yet he can foresee the future while Oedipus, who has full vision, cannot. At the end of the tragedy, Oedipus takes the golden brooches off Iocaste and uses them to blind himself. This symbolizes that he was, in fact, blind all along. There are more themes found throughout the tragedy that should be mentioned. Listed below are just a few of the themes found within Oedipus the King/Oedipus Rex and their meanings.
- Family and Relationships - Family and relationships are revealed, tested, and questioned because of the events or the emotions that are disclosed.
- Man/Woman versus Fate - Individuals take their fate into their own hands, defying their destiny as well as the law of the gods.
- Blindness versus Sight - Individuals are not aware of who they are, their situation, or their surroundings; they are unaware of their truth.
- Illusion versus Reality - What seems to be one’s reality is the exact opposite; their reality is a delusion.
- Death/Suicide and Violence - Death or violence is the consequence or end result of an individual’s actions. It is sometimes self-inflicted because the individual cannot handle the circumstances. He or she becomes heavily burdened and views death/violence as a release or a justified action.
In this Warm-Up, identify three additional themes (aside from the blindness theme) found in Oedipus the King/Oedipus Rex and list these in your journal. If you need assistance on writing a journal entry, please visit the Developmental Module for more information.
Once you have completed your journal entry, please save it with a file name of mod3top4_themes and submit it to the journal dropbox.