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.