Reading Sophocles' Oedipus

When Oedipus The King was first introduced to me in Drama class, I was so impressed with this then-new form of reading. I hadn’t enjoyed reading many Greek plays before, and I certainly had not read anything by Sophocles, or about Oedipus.

I remember how much I enjoyed the eloquence in the texts, the ebb and flow of emotions, the statements that seem to speak of grand understanding of life; typical of Greek plays, and the catharsis that not only I, but all of my fellow students felt during our study of the play.

From that day onward, I’d hunt for ancient Greek plays composed by Sophocles or Aeschylus. And until this day I hunt for an original version, I hate photocopies, of Aristotle’s Poetics, still my searches end in vain.

Now on to talking about Oedipus. I must say I am glad that I enjoyed the chance of reading Oedipus The King twice, with a considerable gap of time between the two readings. The effect the tale has on me has shrunk a bit, mainly because I am now more accustomed to the beautiful word-play techniques that the Greeks employed so heavily in their works. The feeling of shocked fascination when Jocasta denounces the gods has technically vanished, the overwhelming sympathy with Oedipus at his moment of recognition is a little less, and the mental debates whether or not what happened was anyone’s fault, or the gods’, are not as frequent and definitely not as stormy.

I am writing this entry with the sole aim of motivating you enough to read the play. You cannot know what you are lacking unless you identify it. This play is not long, have no fears, but it is “full” enough that you would appreciate it for life. In a sincere reflection, what could be more important that the subject of struggle between man’s alleged free will and predestination, or the will of a mighty power ruling over him?

Do expect a detailed entry about Oedipus, probably handling all three of Sophocles’ plays about the Theban king; Antigone, Oedipus The King, and Oedipus at Colonus. I would hate to ruin your appetite for reading the splendid group of three, not a trilogy -mind you, so kindly inform me if by dedicating an entry to this topic I would be stooping to that folly.