GED117-Week 4

Summary

In this lecture, Professor Wilnabantai from the Department of Arts and Letters explores the tragedy of 'Oedipus Rex' by Sophocles. The story, rooted in Greek literature, tells of Oedipus, a man destined to kill his father and marry his mother. Despite efforts to avoid his fate, Oedipus unwittingly fulfills the prophecy. The lecture delves into themes of truth, pride, and the human intellect's limitations, highlighting Oedipus's journey from stubbornness to self-discovery and wisdom. Sophocles masterfully intertwines past and present, creating a powerful narrative that emphasizes the grandeur of the human spirit.

Takeaways

• 📚 The lecture is given by Professor Wilnabantai from the Department of Arts and Letters, focusing on the poetics of Aristotle and the play 'Oedipus Rex'.
• 🎭 'Oedipus Rex' is a Greek tragedy that has evolved through various adaptations and is notably interpreted by the dramatist Sophocles.
• 👑 The story of Oedipus begins with a prophecy that he would kill his father and marry his mother, leading to his abandonment as a child.
• 🦶 The name 'Oedipus', meaning 'swollen foot', is derived from the way his parents exposed him on a mountainside with his feet pinned together.
• 🏰 Oedipus is raised in Corinth, unaware of his true heritage, and later unknowingly fulfills the prophecy by killing his father and solving the riddle of the Sphinx, which leads to him becoming the king of Thebes.
• 🔍 The play 'Oedipus Rex' revolves around the protagonist's relentless pursuit of truth, despite the warnings of the potential tragic consequences.
• 🧠 Oedipus's tragic flaw is his overconfidence in human intellect and his belief that cleverness equates to wisdom, which ultimately leads to his downfall.
• 👁️ The themes of sight and blindness are central to the play, with Oedipus physically blinding himself after discovering his true identity, symbolizing a deeper understanding of truth.
• 💔 Jocasta, Oedipus's mother and wife, represents a character who cannot face the truth and chooses suicide, contrasting with Oedipus's strength to endure and learn from his suffering.
• 🌟 Sophocles' portrayal of Oedipus emphasizes the grandeur of the human spirit, which, despite its flaws, possesses an inherent nobility independent of the gods.
• 📖 The lecture concludes by highlighting the importance of engaging with the material and completing the requirements for the module, with a promise of further exploration in module two.

Q & A

Who is the lecturer in the video script?

The lecturer is Professor Wilnabantai from the Department of Arts and Letters.

What was the main topic discussed in the previous lecture?

The main topic discussed in the previous lecture was the poetics of Aristotle, including concepts such as catharsis, the tragic hero, and poetry as imitation.

What is the central theme of the lecture script?

The central theme of the lecture script is an overview of 'Oedipus Rex,' focusing on the story of Oedipus and its development through Greek literature.

What is the meaning behind the name 'Oedipus'?

The name 'Oedipus' means 'swollen foot,' given to him because his feet were pinned together when he was exposed on the mountain side as an infant.

Why did Oedipus's parents, Laius and Jocasta, expose him as a child?

Laius and Jocasta exposed Oedipus due to a prophecy that their son would murder his father and marry his mother, and they wanted to avert this disaster.

How did Oedipus come to rule Thebes?

Oedipus came to rule Thebes after he solved the riddle of the Sphinx, which was terrorizing the city, and was rewarded with the hand of the widowed Jocasta and the Theban throne.

What event triggered the action of 'Oedipus the King'?

The action of 'Oedipus the King' was triggered by the arrival of a plague in Thebes, which could only be removed by discovering the murderer of Laius.

What is the tragic flaw of Oedipus according to the script?

Oedipus's tragic flaw is his belief that the human intellect is sufficient by itself, and his pride in his intellectual superiority, which misleads him into thinking that cleverness is the same as wisdom.

How does Oedipus react to the revelation of his true identity?

Upon the revelation of his true identity, Oedipus blinds himself, symbolizing his transition from sight to true understanding, and then leaves Thebes to wander in exile.

What is the significance of the opposition of light and darkness, sight and blindness, in the play?

The opposition of light and darkness, sight and blindness, signifies the journey from ignorance to knowledge, with Oedipus ultimately gaining true insight despite his physical blindness.

How does Sophocles characterize his protagonists in the script?

Sophocles characterizes his protagonists as superhuman figures, dealing with great issues and purged of triviality, yet still possessing virtues and vices that allow the audience to sympathize and suffer with them.

Outlines

00:00

🎭 Introduction to 'Oedipus Rex' and Its Themes

Professor Wilnabantai introduces the module by discussing the continuation from the previous week's topic on Aristotle's poetics, including catharsis and the concept of the tragic hero. The lecture focuses on 'Oedipus Rex', tracing the story's evolution in Greek literature and its adaptation by Sophocles. The narrative involves a prophecy, Oedipus' exposure, adoption, and eventual self-discovery of his true parentage and tragic fate. The summary also touches on the play's exploration of themes such as stubbornness, persistence, and the pursuit of truth, culminating in Oedipus' self-blinding as a symbol of enlightenment through suffering.

05:02

🧐 The Tragic Flaw and the Journey to Wisdom in 'Oedipus Rex'

This paragraph delves into the character analysis of Oedipus, highlighting his fatal flaw of overestimating human intellect and his pride in past achievements. The professor discusses how Oedipus' belief in his own cleverness blinds him to true wisdom. As the narrative unfolds, Oedipus learns through his suffering, and his self-blinding is portrayed as an act of strength rather than weakness. The lecture contrasts Oedipus with Jocasta, who cannot face the truth and takes her own life, emphasizing Oedipus' ability to endure and grow from his experiences. The summary concludes with an exploration of the symbolic use of light and darkness in the play, and how Oedipus' blindness paradoxically grants him true sight and understanding, ultimately presenting a hymn to human grandeur despite our limitations.

Keywords

💡Catharsis

Catharsis is a term originally used in the context of ancient Greek drama, referring to the emotional cleansing or purging experienced by the audience through witnessing the tragic events of the play. In the video, catharsis is mentioned as part of the poetics of Aristotle, indicating the transformative emotional experience that tragedy aims to elicit from its audience.

💡Tragic Hero

A 'tragic hero' is a central character in a tragedy, typically of noble stature, who experiences a downfall due to a combination of a personal flaw and external circumstances. In the script, the story of Oedipus Rex is discussed, with Oedipus being a prime example of a tragic hero, as he unknowingly fulfills a prophecy that leads to his tragic end.

💡Poetry as Imitation

This concept, also attributed to Aristotle, suggests that poetry is a form of imitation of actions and events. In the context of the video, it is mentioned as part of the discussion on poetics, emphasizing the role of creative representation in poetry and how it reflects and interprets reality.

💡Oedipus Rex

Oedipus Rex, also known as Oedipus the King, is a Greek tragedy by Sophocles that tells the story of Oedipus, who unknowingly kills his father and marries his mother, fulfilling a prophecy. The video provides an overview of the play, highlighting its themes and the character development of Oedipus.

💡Prophecy

A prophecy in the script refers to the prediction made to Laius and Jocasta that their son would kill his father and marry his mother. This sets the stage for the tragic events in Oedipus Rex, as the prophecy drives the actions and fate of Oedipus.

💡Sophocles

Sophocles is one of the three ancient Greek tragedians, known for his profound influence on the development of tragedy as a genre. In the video, Sophocles is credited with the version of Oedipus Rex that is discussed, emphasizing his skill in crafting a tightly woven plot and exploring deep themes.

💡Sphinx

The Sphinx is a mythological creature with the body of a lion and the head of a woman. In the script, the Sphinx terrorizes Thebes by killing anyone who cannot answer her riddle, which is eventually solved by Oedipus, leading to his rise to power.

💡Plague

In the context of the video, a plague represents a divine punishment or a state of suffering that befalls Thebes. The resolution of the plague is tied to the discovery of Laius's murderer, which is a central plot point in Oedipus Rex.

💡Self-Revelation

Self-revelation in the video refers to the moment when Oedipus discovers the truth about his identity and the fulfillment of the prophecy. This revelation is a pivotal moment in the play, leading to Oedipus's transformation and the unfolding of the tragedy.

💡Pride

Pride is depicted as a fatal flaw in Oedipus's character, stemming from his intellectual superiority and past achievements. His pride leads him to believe in the sufficiency of human intellect, which ultimately contributes to his downfall.

💡Blindness

Blindness in the video has a dual meaning; it refers to the physical state of Oedipus after he blinds himself and the metaphorical state of not seeing the truth. The theme of sight and blindness is explored throughout the play, with Oedipus's physical blindness symbolizing his newfound insight into the truth.

💡Antigone

Antigone is another of Sophocles' tragedies mentioned in the video, which continues the story of Oedipus's family. It focuses on the character of Antigone and her tragic conflict with her uncle, Creon, over the burial of her brother Polynices.

Highlights

Introduction to the poetics of Aristotle and concepts such as catharsis, tragic hero, and poetry as imitation.

Overview of 'Oedipus Rex' and its presence in Greek literature since the time of Homer.

The prophecy about Oedipus' life and the measures taken by Laius and Jocasta to prevent it.

Oedipus' discovery, adoption by Polybus and Merope, and his upbringing in Corinth.

Oedipus' self-imposed exile after learning of the prophecy and his return to Thebes.

The encounter with the Sphinx and Oedipus solving its riddle, leading to his rule in Thebes.

The plague in Thebes and the search for Laius' murderer, revealing Oedipus' true identity.

Oedipus' self-blinding and his exile, leading to the events of 'Oedipus at Colonus'.

The civil war in Thebes between Oedipus' sons, Eteocles and Polynices.

Introduction to 'Antigone' and its themes of burial rites and tragic consequences.

Sophocles' focus on a single character in 'Oedipus the King' for a more powerful tragedy.

The plot mechanics and how they intertwine past and present in Sophocles' work.

Analysis of Oedipus' character traits, including stubbornness and persistence.

Oedipus' belief in the sufficiency of human intellect and its consequences.

The contrast between Oedipus' strength in facing the truth and Jocasta's inability to do so.

Sophocles' exploration of themes of light and darkness, sight and blindness in the play.

The transformation of Oedipus from self-conceit to a deeper understanding through suffering.

The portrayal of characters in Sophocles' plays as superhuman figures dealing with great issues.

Conclusion of the module and a reminder for students to complete their requirements.

Transcripts

[Music]

[Music]

hi everyone i am professor wilnabantai

of the department of arts and letters

last week we talked about the poetics of

aristotel

we learned what catharsis is all about

tragic hero and even poetry as imitation

this week

we shall have an overview of oedipus rex

the story of oedipus appears in greek

literature as early as homer

and soon passed into the poetic heritage

undergoing several modifications

until at last it reached the hands of

the dramatists

the version used by sophocles is as

follows

it was prophesied to layus and jocasta

king and queen of thebus

that the son to be born to them would

murder his father and marry his own

mother

to avert this disaster

they exposed the child with his feet

pinned together

hence the name oedipus which means

swollen foot

to die on the mountain side

he was found by a kindly shepherd and

taken to corinth

where he was adopted by the childless

poly boos and merope

and brought up as a prince of the royal

house

learning of the prophecy uttered at his

birth

he fled his supposed parents in terror

his wanderings brought him back to

thebus

on the way he killed in a roadside brawl

an old man

who

unknown to him was king leaves

service was ravaged by the sphinx

a monster half beast half woman

who killed anyone who could not answer

her riddle eripus solved it

defeated the sphinx

and was rewarded with the hand of the

widowed jocasta and the theban throne

there he ruled in peace and prosperity

until the coming of a plague which could

only be removed by the discovery of

lazist's murderer

here begins the action of oedipus the

king

and the chain of circumstances which

finally reveals to edipus

the secret of his birth

oedipus blinded himself and left thevis

to wander in exile

dying in colonies

febus was ravaged by civil war

in which edipus's

two sons

ethiopus and polyneices

fought and killed each other

crayon jocasta's brother ascended

through the throne

here

antigone begins

telling of krayon's refusal to bury

polyneices

and its tragic consequences

erepus the king

concentrating on a single character is

in many respects a more powerful tragedy

than antigone

sophocles here develops in a tightly

neat plot

themes we have already seen in the

earlier work

the mechanics of the plot are powerful

enough in

themselves sophocles has contrived

while

dealing with immediate action

to keep the background constantly in our

minds

past and present are skillfully

intertwined

until all the threads are tied together

in edipuses

moment of self-revelation

stubbornness is inherent in oedipus's

character

as it was in koreans

in iripus however

this failing is balanced by the

corresponding virtue of persistence

he too can make amy's guided decision

his accusation of thyricious and korean

and cling to it

but his virtue is his ability to go on

questioning to the bitter end

even after the first premonitions of

disaster

edibles is a man who must know the truth

at all costs

tarisius warns him

early in the play

that the truth may be terrible

but he is too impelled to seek it out

his weakness

his

fatal flaw

is his belief that the human intellect

is sufficient to itself

his pride is his past achievements

his acknowledge intellectual superiority

mislead him into thinking that

cleverness is the same thing as wisdom

the events which his investigation sets

in train prove to him that this is not

so

nevertheless he meets his self-inflicted

disaster grandly

his self-blinding is not an act of

weakness but of strength

jocasta superficially the stronger

character is the first to crack

she cannot face the truth

but commits suicide

edibles is strong enough to face the

truth and go on living

his

is its true strength

the strength to learn from suffering

and he ends the play a novel character

then he began it

his self-conceit has been purged

and he has won

through to a deeper understanding

sophocles plays continually on the

opposition of light and darkness

sight and blindness

in the thyricious scene

is revealed as mentally blind to his

real position and the dangers which

surround him

if it is the blind prophet who has true

knowledge

at the end of the play

when odipus has found the truth

he destroys the fallible sense organs

which had led him into error

he is now blind

but sees

truly

the tragedy of oedipus is thus a hymn to

man

who for all his limitations and

propensities to error

still possesses a grandeur

which is all his own

and owes nothing

to the gods

both antigone and oedipus

in spite of all and nobly

sophogles was not concerned with

delineating

every aspect of the human character

there is nothing petty or mean about his

protagonists

they are still superhuman figures

moving in a world of great issues

purge of the triviality of our own

nevertheless

sophocles has created characters

with whom we can suffer and sympathize

in whom we can see the virtues and vices

of humanity

written large

and that concludes our module one

thank you very much for listening

and don't forget to accomplish your

requirements for this module

i will see you again in module two

again i am professor will nevantai of

the department of arts and letters

[Music]

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