Oedipus Rex: A Detailed Study Guide for Course Hero Students

Prepare for success in your Sophocles Oedipus Rex course with this comprehensive study guide. This guide will help you understand the play's key themes, characters, plot points, and more. With this resource, you'll be well-equipped to conquer your midterm exams and ace your final paper.

Study Guide for Sophocles's Oedipus Rex (Course Hero Study Guides)

by Olivia Greenwood

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	789 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	80 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Item Weight	:	3.36 ounces
Dimensions	:	6 x 0.11 x 9 inches
Paperback	:	43 pages

FREE

Key Themes

• Fate and Free Will: Oedipus Rex explores the tension between fate and free will. Oedipus is fated to kill his father and marry his mother, but he does not know this. His actions are driven by his own desires and choices, but he is ultimately unable to escape his destiny.
• Pride: Oedipus is a proud man who believes that he is above the gods. His hubris leads him to make mistakes that ultimately destroy him.
• Ignorance: Oedipus is ignorant of his true identity and the prophecy that surrounds him. His ignorance leads him to make decisions that have tragic consequences.
• The Search for Truth: Oedipus is driven by a desire to find the truth about his past. His search leads him to uncover secrets that are both painful and liberating.

Characters

• Oedipus: The protagonist of the play, Oedipus is the king of Thebes. He is a proud and powerful man, but he is also flawed. His hubris and ignorance lead him to make mistakes that ultimately destroy him.
• Jocasta: The queen of Thebes and Oedipus' wife. Jocasta is a wise and compassionate woman, but she is also unable to escape her fate. She knows the truth about Oedipus' past, but she keeps it from him in order to protect him.
• Creon: Oedipus' brother-in-law and advisor. Creon is a loyal and supportive friend, but he is also ambitious. He desires the throne of Thebes, and he is willing to use Oedipus' downfall to achieve his goals.
• Teiresias: A blind prophet who knows the truth about Oedipus' past. Teiresias warns Oedipus about his fate, but Oedipus refuses to listen. His arrogance and ignorance lead him to reject the truth, and he ultimately pays the price.

Plot

Oedipus Rex tells the story of Oedipus, the king of Thebes. Oedipus has been plagued by a terrible plague, and he consults the oracle at Delphi to find out how to stop it. The oracle tells Oedipus that he must find the murderer of the previous king, Laius. Oedipus sets out to find the murderer, and he eventually discovers that he is the one who killed Laius. This discovery leads to Oedipus' downfall and the destruction of his family.

Themes

Oedipus Rex is a complex and tragic play that explores a number of important themes. These themes include:

• The tension between fate and free will
• The dangers of pride and hubris
• The importance of ignorance and the search for truth
• The destructive power of secrets
• The role of family and community

Oedipus Rex is a powerful and moving play that has been performed for centuries. The play's themes are still relevant today, and they continue to resonate with audiences. This study guide has provided you with a comprehensive overview of the play, and it will help you to prepare for your course. With this resource, you'll be well-equipped to succeed in your studies and to appreciate the beauty and complexity of Sophocles' masterpiece.

Additional Resources

• Oedipus Rex Study Guide on Course Hero
• Oedipus Rex Study Guide on LitCharts
• Oedipus Rex Study Guide on SparkNotes

Study Guide for Sophocles's Oedipus Rex (Course Hero Study Guides)

by Olivia Greenwood

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	789 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	80 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Item Weight	:	3.36 ounces
Dimensions	:	6 x 0.11 x 9 inches
Paperback	:	43 pages

FREE