Amber Creager Drama 110 Professor Payne Oedipus Rex by Sophocles Script Analysis I. Background A.

June 21st of 404 B.C 1. Wrote the play in 425 B.C. 2. Set the play in 404 B.C. At the fall of Athen B. Place: Delphi, Greece and Thebes, Greece C. Feels well controlled for the moment. At its peak, doing well, before its about to plummet from confusion and dismal into darkness. II. Plot A. Oedipus has left Corinth because of the oracles news, unknowingly killed is father, married his mother, and is now king of Thebes. He is trying to solve a mystery pertaining to the kingdom. B. Initial incident- The action starts from the beginning as Oedipus starts to unravel unknown truths to his past ant the past of Thebes. C. Rising Actions: 1. Discovering the king was killed by his own hand 2. King Polybos dies and calls for Oedipus to reign in Corinth 3. Finds out King Polybos and Merope were not his real parents 4. Jocasta and Laius tried to send him as a baby to his death 5. The messenger confirms he was given to another messenger to save the baby's life 6. The oracle was right D. Climax- Jocasta hangs herself when she finds out she married and had children by her own son. Oedipus scarred by finding her hanging loses his mind and gouges his eyes out with her brooches. E. Falling Actions: 1. Is blind and is left thinking he is an evil man 2. Leaves his children to Creon to take care of his children 3. Leaves to live and die in the hills of Kithairon F. Conclusion- Oedipus is saying good bye to his children and wishes them to lead a happy life. III.Characters A. Protagonist- Oedipus Rex, the son of Jocasta, King of Thebes. Killed father, slept with mother, nice build, youthful, Dirty blond, late 20's. B. Antagonist- The Oracle given by the ministry of wise old men with flowing silver hair. Maybe even Jocasta trying to get him to stop seeking dangerous knowledge

in her mid 40's, looks her age with beauty, long, brown hair. C. Supporting-Creon, Jocasta's brother, always at their sides and loves them dearly. 35, royal manner, yet humble. Jocasta in her mid 40's, looks her age with beauty, long, brown hair. D. Minor- messengers, chorus, choragos, all loyal Theban citizens. IV. Theme: Greek Tragedy on a lesson of doing what is right from the very beginning. V. From Oedipus, I learned to seek the truth and it will reveal itself, which is what he did even after he worked his way to the top. He still needed to know the truth by finding all the messengers and shepherds of his past that could confirm events from his history that got him to where he was. I learned that maybe ignorance can be bliss and reality can hit hard. And when it does, your logic can escape from the mind. If Oedipus wasn't so persistent about rumors, his wife (mother) would never have hung herself and he wouldn't have gone crazy, blinded himself, and leave his kingdom and children in a depression. I also learned to make sure I control my temper. If Oedipus had controlled his temper when he got bumped on the crossroads, he would have never killed his dad and could have proved the oracle wrong. I wish I had learned how it made sense to leave your children (siblings) without parents. The brother was kind enough to take care of the children, but how do you not want to punch out another eye knowing that your children will probably resent you for abandoning them for circumstances that led their mother to suicide. Wouldn't you want to make up for those mistakes? Sophocles worked that tragedy to the bone. I felt disgusted with the incessant relationship between mother and son, that Oedipus couldn't control his anger or actions, and that he walked out on his kids. VI. Quotations: An old defilement we are sheltering, It is a deathly thing, beyond cure; We must not let it feed upon us longer. Page 53 lines 106-108 Ah, what net has God been weaving for me? Page 60 line 246 You yourself are the pollution of this country. Page 56 line 143 Why should anyone in this world be afraid, since fate rules us and nothing can be foreseen? A man should live only for the present day. Page 63 line 68-70 Other Analysis Questions: 1. It is set in B.C. Of Greece at the fall of Athens 2. Special demands for Oedipus and Jocasta who are king and queen. Also, with the thebans of the town and messengers so a contrast of royalty and commoners of Greece. 3. This play is a tragedy because of the twisted situations that led to Jocasta to want to hang herself and this event leading Oedipus to gouge his eyes out leaving him blind and to leave is children and kingdom knowing that he has defiled his family. 4. The conflict is Oedipus catches wind of an oracle that claimed he would kill his father and marry his mother. So he seeks out the the truth and struggles with each fact that that reveals itself to the oracle coming true. The conflict is external due to the fact that everyone is involved with the solving of this oracle. It is also internal for Oedipus because he has to accept that his life is a lie and face the consequences. 5. Set: A central door, two lateral doors open onto the platform which runs the length of the facade, alters to the right and left of the doors and three steps lead down into the orchestra. Can replicate the a Greek Theater. Maybe representation of Jocasta's hanging through on of the doors. Costume: Stay traditional to the Greek attire at that time in history. Be sure to have

emphasis on Oedipus and Jocasta as king and queen keeping a cleaner appearance than the rest of cast. Make up: Simple, but defined with Oedipus and Jocasta. Minor and chorus keep simple as well, with hints of country wear and a dusty city. Messengers have a slight worn look to their faces and body due to traveling through hills and towns to get to the king. Sound: On the reflections of Oedipus past, present a familiar sound or melody that strikes Oedipus as his memory unfolds. Big instrumental as Oedipus bursts through the doors to Jocasta and silence as he stares at her hanging. Then only hear the cutting of the rope and as she falls to his arms the instrumental strikes up in sorrow and a big boom as he strikes his eye and fades. Then another sorrowful, yet some what glorious and dramatic instrumental that slowly progresses as Oedipus is saying good bye and leaving the kingdom. Lighting: Light and triumphant in the beginning, but slowly darkens in despair and reaches its darkest and somewhat abstract point at the death of Jocasta. After Oedipus goes blind, the set lightens a little more, has a sadden tinge of darkness for the loss of their queen. As Oedipus leaves, the set gets lighter and happier feel and Oedipus walks through the doors into a darkened future, like a sunset on a rainy day. 6. Oedipus: Joshua Dallas/ Channing Tatum Jocasta: Angelina Jolie Teiresisas: Anthony Hopkins Creon: Johnny Depp