Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus II

Death and Transfiguration

Sophocles in old age Theater at Epidaurus

Agenda

 Opening Discussion • “Not to Be Born is Best”??

 Recap and Update • Issues and Themes  All’s Well that Ends Well?

• Fate, Responsibility … Tragedy?

 Platonic Critique • Counterplea?

2

Opening Discussion “Not to Be Born is Best”??

Oedipus at Colonus – Analysis

    

prologue (pp. 284 ff.)

• Oed, Ant, Citizen • identity, positioning

parodos (291)

•

amoibaion

(chorus-character dialogue) • Chorus, Oed, Ant • supplication

1 st episode (298)

• leader, Oed, Ismene, Ant

amoibaion (314)

• Chorus, Oed • Oed’s crimes (?)

1 st episode cont’d (318)

• Leader, Theseus, Oed • supplication, negotiation

1 st stasimon (326)

• praises (Colonus, Athens)

2 nd episode (328)

• Ant, Oed, Leader, Creon, Theseus • tussle over Oed      

2 nd stasimon (348)

• victory song

3 rd episode (350)

• Leader, Oed, Ant, Thes • leave-taking begins

3 rd stasimon (358)

• the human condition

4 th episode (359)

• Ant, Oed, Poly • a father’s curse

amoebic kommos, dialogue (371)

• Chorus, Oed, Ant • portents

4 th episode cont’d (373)

• Thes, Oed

4 th stasimon (377)

• prayers for Oed

exodos (378)

• spoken dialogue, lyric

kommos

• messenger, leader, Ant, Ismene, Thes • Oed’s demise, lament, consolation

lines 1771 ff.

CHORUS (lines 1388-1391) : Not to be born is best, when all is reckoned in, but once a man has seen the light the next best thing, by far, is to go back back where he came from, quickly as he can.

Meaning? Your Response?

  depressing • pessimistic • describe Oedipus what’s the point of living • suicidal • nihilistic  like medea • sees everything in a bleak light  pessimistic towards old age • implies youth better  bring him to terms with death  dramatic effect • makes it sound worse  no more cheating fate • positive development?

7

Recap and Update Issues and Themes

Oedipus at Colonus – Analysis

    

prologue (pp. 284 ff.)

• Oed, Ant, Citizen • identity, positioning

parodos (291)

•

amoibaion

(chorus-character dialogue) • Chorus, Oed, Ant • supplication

1 st episode (298)

• leader, Oed, Ismene, Ant

amoibaion (314)

• Chorus, Oed • Oed’s crimes (?)

1 st episode cont’d (318)

• Leader, Theseus, Oed • supplication, negotiation

1 st stasimon (326)

• praises (Colonus, Athens)

2 nd episode (328)

• Ant, Oed, Leader, Creon, Theseus • tussle over Oed      

2 nd stasimon (348)

• victory song

3 rd episode (350)

• Leader, Oed, Ant, Thes • leave-taking begins

3 rd stasimon (358)

• the human condition

4 th episode (359)

• Ant, Oed, Poly • a father’s curse

amoebic kommos, dialogue (371)

• Chorus, Oed, Ant • portents

4 th episode cont’d (373)

• Thes, Oed

4 th stasimon (377)

• prayers for Oed

exodos (378)

• spoken dialogue, lyric

kommos

• messenger, leader, Ant, Ismene, Thes • Oed’s demise, lament, consolation

East

Stage Set, “Colonus Hippius”

South West Olive grove

skene

(stage building) To Underworld Equestrian statue to Thebes Altar of Athena Hippia, Poseidon Hippios to Athens Source: Wiles

Tragedy in Athens

CHORUS p. 348: “… chariots racing down the wind - the enemy will be crushed!

… They honor Athena, reigning queen of horsemen - honor the Sea-lord, guardian of our earth…”

Oedipal Transformations…

 

OK

: (reverse) rite of passage

OC

: death and transfiguration • Furies (

Semnai theai

) to Eumenides (“Kindly Ones”) – “As we call you Powers of Kindness ( and save his life”

Eumenides

(Leader to Oedipus, p. 312) ), so from the springs of kindness in your heart receive your suppliant now • father/friend to

alastōr

– OED to CREON: “… my curse, my fury of vengeance rooted deep in your soil” (

alastōr houmos

, p. 331) • pariah to

hērōs

– “no pleasure to break the silence of these mysteries” (707–8) – “Only … Theseus … must see this mystery” 12

Oedipus at Colonus as mystery play?

All’s Well that Ends Well?

Fate, Responsibility … Tragedy?

Fate, Responsibility … Tragedy?

Oedipus the King

 Apollo to Creon • “Pay the killers back, whoever is responsible” (p. 164)  Oedipus • “Apollo, friends, Apollo - he ordained my agonies” (p. 241)

Oedipus at Colonus

 Oedipus • “… my acts … were acts of suffering more than actions outright. … I struck in self defense” (299)

Oedipus at Colonus (cont.)

 Oedipus • “I am innocent … blind, unknowing!” (317) • “Thebes bound me fast to a bride who was my ruin (

atē

)” (315)  Polynices • “I learn this all too late” (360) • “I must travel down that road, doomed by fate and the curses of my father” (368) 15

Platonic Critique Counterplea?

Comments

Platonic Critique

 would have liked • depiction of Theseus – good – just  not liked • pessimism   unrealistic concepts • alastor thing wouldn’t like pessimism • wouldn’t like all oed’s suffering  showed how you have to pay • & respect to gods  social benefit - positive youthful soldiering  girls good • • loyalty thing iffy kids can relate  liked political ideas • philosopher kings

Counterplea

 moral ambiguity is interesting • w/o, no thought  hero cult as hubristic 17