Oedipus Questions 1-7-11

1. Jocasta enters carrying garlands ( a uppliant's branch) on p. 211. Explain what her actions and words communicate about Oedipus' waning leadership abilities.

She places a branch on Apollo's altar to pray to him. She states: "Oedipus is beside himself. Racked with anguish, no longer a man of sense, he won't admit the latest prophecies are hollow as the old-he's at the mercy of every passing voice if the voice tells of terror" (211). She's praying to Apollo to make Oedipus to see reality because he is only worrying about the prophecies and not the plague that is killing the people.



2.Examine the exchange between Jocasta and Oedipus on pp.222-224. Why doesn't Jocasta want Oedipus to seek out the shepherd who took him from Laius' house? What's significant in Oedipus' reponse to her fears?

Jocasta is a wise person. She knows its best not to know the facts if it is very bad. Jocasta knows that the outcome will probably be very bad and she wants to keep Oedipus safe. Oedipus doesn't want to listen to Jocasta. He thinks she is daft for not wanting to know the truth. This response is like Oedipus because he is clever not wise.



3.How is vision- eyesight-treated in the play? Think about the meanings of blindness and seeing in the play. Pay close attention to the scenes with Teiresias and Oedipus

In the play, eyesight is an important part of the story. Oedipus tells Teireseas: "It does but not for you, old man. You've lost your power, stone-blind, stone-dear senses, eyes blind as stone!" (181).  This is not true, however, because Teiresias may be blind but he can see into the future and is wise; while, on the other hand, Oedipus can see, but he is not wise. In the end of the play, Oedipus realizes this and stabs his eyes out in order to "see" things more clearly.



4.What role does the Chorus play? Pay attention to the scenes between Creon and Oedipus and Teiresias and Oedipus. How does the Chorus reflect on these debates? What could they be telling the audience?

The Chorus acts as a narrator. It also acts as a "person" for the lead roles to talk to. For example, Creon talks to the Chorus like he is talking to himself. Creon is talking about how Oedipus has insulted him in public and how immature Oedipus was doing to the Chorus. The Chorus always takes the mediate in the arguments. When Creon and Oedipus are fighting, the Leader of the Chorus tries to cool down the fight.