Journal # 1 - Medea

The chorus plays a very unique role from the role of the chorus in Oedipus in Medea. The Medean chorus seems more close to Medea than the Oedipus chorus did. It uses more specific and endearing language, making it seem more intimate with Medea. The chorus in Oedipus was more of a "summarizer" so to speak, they sympathized with Oedipus, but his downfall did not seem to bother to them personally. Whereas in Medea, the chorus seems much more concerned about Medea's fate than the chorus in Oedipus. The chorus is a way that Euripides uses to create pity and sympathy in the audience, rather than a way to summarize plot, like in Oedipus.

Journal # 5 - Oedipus Rex

Sophocles creates fear and pity in the audience primarily by our similarities to the characters. The similarities and downfalls of Oedipus can be connected to by any human being. We all freak out when we find out horrible things, and we are all sometimes the victim of fate. This fear of fate and trouble creates that catharsis for us. The beauty in Oedipus is the purging of fear and pity in the ending of the play. He doesn't give us anything surprising or shocking, nothing happens that we wouldn't expect, and that is a beautiful reminder for the audience that life goes on. The catharsis of Oedipus is where we find this beauty. The fact that he falls to his own fated mistakes is the tool that Sophocles uses to create that fear and pity.

Journal # 4 - Oedipus Rex

Sophocles uses many images in the tragedy , Oedipus. The one that I most commonly found was the repeating image of blindness. Tiresias is a blind prophet, yet he sees all. Sophocles uses the image of being blind to show a wisdom when used in the physical sense, but a stupidity when used to show someone's mental blindness. When Tiresias calls Oedipus blind, he does not mean in the sense that he cannot see, but in the sense that he is blind to the truth. However, once Oedipus finds out the truth, this knowledge is too much for him to bear, and he creates physical blindness in himself. This shows that his wisdom/knowledge has become too much for him to bear, much like Tiresias' burden of knowing everything. Therefore, in Oedipus, we can see that Sophocles uses the image of blindness to demonstrate the pain one goes through when not blind to the horrible truth, but also the pain one takes in order to ease themselves of that truthful burden.

Journal # 3 - Oedipus Rex

The gender roles established in Oedipus are quite clear. In general, the men are the ones who have conflict in their lives. They rush blindly into argument and are the slowest to realize the truth. This case is especially evident in the exchange between Oedipus and Jocasta, she realizes before he does the truth about her marriage to him, while he takes much longer, and still hasn't found out. However, women are also more disrespected in society, although Grecian society was the best of its time for equality of the sexes, it still had a long way to go before it became the relative equality we have achieved in America. Jocasta seems like a strong example to women, she tries to do the right thing, but due to a lack of judgment, tragedy strikes her as well. This is rather similar to the situation Oedipus was put in during this play so far. The gender's don't seem to change when addressing the other gender. Men are slightly less aggressive towards women, but are still slightly disrespectful.

Journal # 2 - Oedipus Rex

Oedipus shows some qualities of a good leader. He is protective of his people and a strong willed leader. He also donates all of his time to helping his people. However, he is also very quick to anger, his words against Tiresias are very derogatory when the blind prophet makes his accusations. This is a quality the could be his downfall. His anger at his accuser shows us that he is self-righteous and unable to take criticism. This hubris could be his downfall. He is also quick to make assumptions about others. He quickly accuses Creon of being a conspirator against him. This is another character of a bad leader. In the words of the Leader of the Chorus "Those who jump to conclusions may go wrong" (Sophocles, page 194, line 693). His attitude becomes more and more aggressive. He seems more on edge as I continue to read. Tiresias seems ominous, all-knowing, but sad about it. He would rather not know the things he does. Creon is a powerful man as well, the equal of Oedipus in many ways.

Journal # 1 - Oedipus Rex

Page 159 - Oedipus Rex comes to the common people. He sympathizes with a kneeling old man.
Page 160 - The priest addresses Oedipus, telling of the troubles of Thebes.
Page 161 - The priest goes on, calling Oedipus the best of men and asking him to help once again in Thebes.
Page 162 - Oedipus states that he feels the pain of the entire city. He feels pressure from them to succeed.
Page 163 - Creon says that he brings good news from his trip to Delphi.
Page 164 - Creon tells Oedipus that the Oracle says that Thebes must cleanse itself of the murderer/murderers of Laius, the past leader of Thebes.
Page 165 - Laius' means of death is revealed, he was killed on the way to meet the Oracle.
Page 166 - Thieves killed Laius and the Sphinx commanded the people of Thebes not to pursue this mystery further.
Page 167 - Oedipus begins to take action against these killers.
Page 168 - The Chorus asks Zeus what is going on in the city. Hoping for good news from Oedipus.
Page 169 - The Chorus states that Thebes is dying, slowly but surely.
Page 170 - The Chorus asks the gods for help with Thebes problems.
Page 171 - Oedipus asks the people if anyone knows who killed Laius, but is met by silence both times.