Oedipus the King: Journal #3

Themes and ideas:

For class we had to choose a topic to track throughout the three dramas. Mine is the symbol of gods and how they bring relief to a community or country. This topic also seems to be a constant theme/idea throughout Oedipus so far.

In this time period of the 5th or 6th century these people have a lot of gods. It is only natural that these gods would make their way into dramas such as these, therefore this tracking topic works quite well. The main god that the people of Thebes mention or worship is Apollo. In today's reading there were a few times that they mentioned this god but more often they just cried out the gods in general. At one point Jocasta is praying to Apollo for help from fear and for Oedipus to forget the prophecies told to him. "Lords of the realm, it occurred to me just now, to visit the temples of the gods, so I have my branch in hand and incense too. Oedipus is beside himself. Racked with anguish, no longer a man of sense, he won't admit the latest prophecies are hollow as the old [...] I come with prayers and offerings . . . I beg you, cleanse us, set us free of defilement! Look at us, passengers in the grip of fear" (998-1010). In this passage she excepts the gods to help her and bring relief to her husband and in return that would bring relief to the country he governs.

Another example of gods bringing relief is when the chorus, or towns people, are crying out to their gods to help Oedipus in his search to find his origins. They know that if he finds this out then it will bring him peace enough to help them in their troubles of the plague. "And we will sing you, dancing out your praise - you lift our monarch's heart! Apollo, Apollo, god of the wild cry may our dancing please you! Oedipus - son, dear child, who bore you?" (1201-1205). These gods continue to be praised and called out to whenever the country is in danger and need relief from their troubles. This theme is obviously important to the lifestyle of the people in this community.

An example of a less formal calling out is when the shepherd is being tortured to spill some information on what he knew of Oedipus's birth and parents. "God help us, why? - what more do you need to know?" (1269-1270). He is seeking relief from not just a collaboration of things but only the wrath of Oedipus. That is how this calling differs from the other two. Still however, it continues the idea that gods are a symbol for the bringing of relief to a community/country.