Comparing King Oedipus And Bacchae

Sophocles’ Theban tragedy, Oedipus the King, is not sexist. The prominent play portrays both men and women justly. The events presented by Sophocles exemplifies a level of admiration and respect for women that was not ordinary in ancient Greece. This is predominantly achieved through the dialogue of Jocasta and Oedipus, illustrating a corresponding relationship. In addition, the behavior of Jocasta, analysis of other literature, as well as the bad fortune of the male characters reaffirm that the Oedipus the King is not sexist.

The women of the play have value through their sons, not as individuals. One woman remarks, “I hold stock in Athens- stock I paid for in sons” (Aristophanes 78). Aristophanes links her to her sons, giving her authority not because she lives in Athens, but because her sons do. In classical Athens, a woman’s main duty was “the production of legitimate heirs”, to ensure families had men to carry on the family line (Pomeroy 60). When given importance as mothers, women are solely valued for their ability to create more men. Additionally, this leads to the devaluation of older women, since, biologically, “a woman’s season is brief” (Aristophanes 73). After a certain age, women are unable to bear children. When society determines a woman’s value based on her ability to produce children, several generations of women are left behind with nothing to contribute, according to patriarchal

“Oedipus” written by Sophocles and “Odysseus” written by Homer both are Greek poets. Both stories share the same themes in ways where both of the epic heroes endure a conflict. The characters in these plays are attributed certain characteristics by the author. The characteristics suggested by the authors are intrinsic to the audience. They both have a complete and subjective understanding of work. Their characteristics are displayed through the characters actions, what the writer says about them, and what they portray on themselves. This will be the focus of the essay. Both Oedipus and Odysseus, spoken by others, they describe character traits.

Charles could see Erik giving up as sharply as he felt it, the small spark that he’d come to label in his own mind as ‘life force’ dwindling to an ember and extinguishing. He was stepping forward before he could stop himself, blooding rushing in his ears against time as he spoke. “Dēsístite!“

*INTRO*The character Oedipus in the play Oedipus the King by Sophocles, and the character Othello in the play Othello the Moor of Venice by Shakespeare are both tragic characters. Oedipus ends up killing his father, and marrying and having children with his mother, whereas Othello ends up mistrusting and killing his wife. These two individuals have similarities and differences in several aspects such as the roundness of their characters, the retribution that they incur upon themselves and upon their respective wives whether directly or indirectly, and their horrors.

He could not believe anything could harm him. (B270) Pentheus in his own conceit thinks he can do anything. He feels he is so powerful that no man is above him. (B476) He is not able to see that Dionysus is a god because he is in human form. Pentheus needs to see everything before he can accept it. (B255) By Pentheus agreeing to dress up like a woman, he is asking for a tragic ending. He now begins to listen to Dionysus who he had bound with chains before. He shows how gullible he is, to think Dionysus will now help him. He cannot see himself being set up to take a large fall. (B310) When Teiresias tells Pentheus "Do not be so certain that power is what matters in life," Pentheus still feels confident. Pentheus was doomed because he did not believe other peoples word about the power of Dionysus.

But unlike Oedipus, Jocasta handles her situation through hypocrisy and denial. As the play progresses, it becomes obvious that Jocasta is terrified of the idea that her life is influenced by the gods. Instead, she forces herself to believe that “life is governed by the operations of chance. Nothing can be clearly foreseen. The best way to live is by hit or miss, as best you can” (53). Jocasta’s life best resembles a balance, with the evidence to support the prophecies on one side and how much she can ignore on the other. She convinces herself that prophetic power does not exist, yet attempted to avoid the prophecy of Laius’ death by sending their child into the mountains. When Laius died, Jocasta reasoned that it was due to chance, thus proving the prophecy wrong. But the moment the Corinthian messenger revealed where he found Oedipus as a baby, Jocasta’s balance tipped. Not even Jocasta, who could ignore Oedipus’ injuries to his ankle and the meaning of his name, could overlook the proof. In her desperation to retain control of her life, Jocasta begs Oedipus to not interrogate the shepherd, and when he refuses, she takes her own life. Ultimately, Jocasta is revealed as a character who would do anything to avoid the truth. When the prophecies came to fruition, Jocasta realizes that she never had any control over her life. Unlike Oedipus, Jocasta refuses to accept her fate, and in her final act of defiance, an act she deems as her own, she commits

In the establishment of the play, Jocasta and Oedipus seem as though they are a traditional royal husband and wife, with ordinary children. They love each other, unaware of the truth. Jocasta illustrates what she did to her son as a consequence of an incestual and sinful prophecy that her son would someday kill Laius and marry her, as told by an oracle. She reveals that she and Laius fastened their son’s ankles and left him on a mountain to die. She declares, “[...] My baby / no more murdered his father than Laius suffered -- / his wildest fear -- death at his own son’s hands” (794-796). While both

Though some characters took suffering with quiet acceptance, other characters like Jocasta have a more skeptical and extremist response to suffering. In the play, when Jocasta first hears of Tiresias’ prophecy, she questions the legitimacy of oracles: “Racked with anguish, he [Oedipus] won’t admit the latest prophecies are hollow as the old.” Although what the Oracle at Delphi said to Jocasta earlier on in the story about her baby’s prophecy matched up with Oedipus’ story of him killing a man where the roads fork, she refuses to believe the Oracle’s power of prophecy. Furthermore, Jocasta’s extremist viewpoint is shown when she finally does find out that Oedipus is truly her son through the shepard’s confession, and she hangs

The grass isn’t always greener on the other side, at least that is the message that Greek tragedian Sophocles, distinguished American poet, and ancient Grecian slave Aesop have all tried to convey in their literature. While reading Oedipus, We Grow Accustomed to the Dark, and the Ass and his Masters, one can gain this sentiment. Each piece of literature is different (ancient tragedy, poem, and fable), yet each warns of the danger in wishing for things we don’t

Atalanta was a fierce young women that was raised by hunters and animals after being abandoned by her parents for being a girl. Atalanta was able to go through many obstacles in life and proved to be strong and worthy of honor. She was loved and feared, many men tried to marry her but she would accept no one, for she wanted to be wild and free. Like the beautiful and majestic bald eagle, Atalanta was strong and independent. When she was able to reconcile with her dad and parents not all was good. Atalanta’s father wanted her to get married and get a husband but she did not need a men in her life, to satisfy her father Atalanta said that she would marry whomever could beat her in a race. Many men tried but failed miserably, for she was as swift as the god Hermes. Atalanta made all the men who dared to go against her look puny. There was a men however, that tried to beat her by cheating with the help of the goddess Aphrodite. Melanion threw golden apples, the most beautiful and enchanting things any mortal has ever seen ahead of

Greek mythology is the body of myths and teachings concerning the gods, goddesses, and heroes, and the world. It was the religion in ancient Greece, and the only one that they likely practiced, similar to how we practice religion today. Myths are thought to be present so that we can understand the nature of what a myth is. An important function of myths is to maintain natural and social order. Although the creation myth begins with Chaos, the story works to provide a specific order to the universe, usually. After order is created within the cosmos, order is then brought to the lesser beings, or people.

Anyone who is familiar with Greek mythology has heard a story about tyrannous Zeus, throwing thunderbolts, turning people into animals, or causing other supernatural events while releasing his wrath. He proves time and time again that he is more powerful than any mortal who tries to compete with him. Though Zeus is the mightiest, there are stories about many other gods demonstrating their power over mortals. Two such gods are Apollo and Dionysus. In the stories "Oedipus Rex" and "The Bacchae", these gods conflict with men that are not just average mortals, but respected kings. Although the political position of these kings makes them feel superior to all, the gods in the two stories show them that immortals are far superior to any

Oedipus and Othello are very alike in their painting of the tragic hero. Both of these characters in their respective stories are portrayed as very likable characters, but are not without their flaws; both meet a very grim end due to their damning flaw. The grand flaw that leads these characters to their respective downward spirals is pride. Both are blinded (one literally, both figuratively) by their near inability to introspectively analyze their decisions in an objective way due to their confidence in their decisions. While confidence in one's decisions can be an advantageous trait in a leader, it is a complete and utter disadvantage when the leader lets it skew objective reasoning.

Unfortunately, to her disbelief, she is just perpetuating the problem. Jocasta believes that she can take the world into her own hands and prevent the awful tragedy that is her son killing her husband, King Laius, as well as sleeping with and bearing children with her murderous son. To prevent that awful occurrence from happening, she and King Laius bind the child up when he is just three days old and leave him to die on the side of a mountain so there is absolutely no chance of the prophecy being completed; however, she is greatly mistaken. She says feeling confident in her preventative measures, “...So in this case Apollo’s purpose failed…so much for oracles that map our future…” (Sophocles 29). Jocasta believes at that point in the selection that she has thwarted the prophecy of the gods. However, she later realizes that even though she takes precautionary measures to prevent that occurrence from ever happening, she is not greater than the gods. This is purely another example of the gods being sovereign rulers of the people of Thebes. In addition, the gods make sure the prophecy comes true and Oedipus commits the awful acts that he is destined to perform. Because of this, the gods remain victorious and in complete power over her life, her son’s, and the events that occur within