Commentary
Writing: Oedipus Rex
(5 Paragraph)
“Oedipus
Rex” is an ancient Greek tragedy story written by Sophocles
that was first performed about 429 BCE. This commentary writing aims to
comment about themes and the characterization of King Oedipus in the story.
Oedipus Rex tells about the story of King Oedipus who wants
to look for the cause of the plague that happens in his country, Thebes, when
in reality he is the one who causes that plague. As he finds the hints that cause
plague, he also finds the truth that he was fated to kill his own father, King
Laios, and marry his own mother, Iocaste.
The theme of the story is fate. In this story, Sophocles
tries to tell the readers that fate cannot be changed. As the readers read the
whole story, they will find how fate brings the main characters to the way
things that should happen. King Oedipus cannot change or control his future
although in the past his parents have done several ways to make his fate does
not happen. However, in the end he still meets his fate; kill his own father
and marry his own mother.
Furthermore, the story’s main character is King Oedipus. Sophocles
creates the character of King Oedipus as the one who is clever, persistent and blind.
King Oedipus is clever because he is the only one who is able to solve the
riddle of the Sphinx. It can be seen from line 224 scene 1, “You were a great
man once at solving riddle.” Then, as a persistent person, it can be seen from
line 15-25 scene 1, “Moreover:
If anyone knows the murderer to be foreign, Let him not keep silent: he shall
have his reward from me. …” From these lines, the readers can interpret that he
will reveal the truth until its root no matter whoever he is. Last, King
Oedipus is a blind man. Blind here have a connotative meaning. In the text, it
can be seen from line 101-103 scene 1, “How dreadful knowledge of the truth can
be. When there’s no help in truth! I knew this well, But did not act on it:
else I should not have come.” These lines can be interpreted that King Oedipus tries
to reveal the truth while others has warned him no to. And in the end, the
truth itself is awful and makes him lose his mother as well as his wife.
To sum up, Sophocles is successful in evoking the readers
with the cathartic experiences. The readers can feel pity at King Oedipus’
fate. His intelligence makes him great, however it also makes him foolish and
tragic.
#Close Rading Paper
#Exploring Drama
#Greek Tragedy
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