Oedipus Rex by Sophocles was the next stop in my reading journey of Greek dramatists. After reading Oresteia, I have already fallen in love with these old Greek plays. Even then, I approached Sophocles with caution. I wasn’t familiar with the story of Oedipus as I was with Orestes. But I shouldn’t have worried. The preface to the play makes us well-informed about the background.
Oedipus Rex is the first of the Theban plays. Here, we follow the doomed life of Oedipus. At the opening of the play, Oedipus is already the king of Thebes. An old prophecy hangs about him. He has learned from an oracle that he’d kill his father and marry his mother. To avoid this, he flees Corinth, where he was raised by the royal parents, Polybus and Merope. However, to his utter horror, Oedipus learns the bitter truth that, however much he tries, he cannot evade god’s will and fate.
The play brings out disturbing themes of patricide and incest. I was impressed by Sophocles’s boldness in openly discussing these issues. It seems that in ancient times, there was enough freedom of expression. I doubt if many societies today will be as tolerant as the Greeks about these themes. I was also equally impressed with Sopocles’ artistry. The story, though based on unsettling themes, is artistically woven so that the readers (as well as the audience) don’t feel disturbed. There is nothing vulgar in the play. I have experienced the same in Orestiea, which demonstrates the intelligence and cleverness of the Greek dramatists.
Sophocles seems to support Homer’s thinking in Oedipus Rex. In all Homerian works, gods and fate dictate the lives of men. Oedipus is only a man. He has no control over his life. run from his fate; that was for the gods and fate. Sophocles’ view is more rigid than that of Aeschylus. Aeschylus believed that gods are just in the administration of justice as long as man is humble and suppliant, like that of Orestes. On the other hand, Oedipus was proud. He was full of self-importance since he managed to defeat the sorceress who terrorized the citizens of Thebes. He never bowed down to the gods and fought against his face with arrogance.
He who travels his own high-handed way, disdaining True reverence for divine sanctuaries; Who falsely wins, all sacred things profaning; Shall he escape his doomed pride’s penalties? Shall he by any armour be defended From heaven’s sharp wrath, who casts out right for wrong?
The play is short and moves fast. The atmosphere is charged with foreboding, so that you read the play with apprehension. At the same time, you are driven by a curiosity to know Oedipus’s plight. The play had enough action to drive the story on. And I enjoyed it a lot despite the disturbing themes.
Rating: 4/5
