Monday, January 28, 2008
Fate Or Choice?
Last week, we had come to the theme of the Oedipus Rex. Our tutor Ms. Baiti required us to identify the protagonist and antagonist, as well as the symbol that they represent in the drama. I was wondering, why most of my coursemates chose the fate as antagonist instead of a real character. Personally, I do not agree with most of them that fate is the antagonist that causes conflict to Oedipus. At least, Oedipus is not fated to find out the truth, neither that he is fated to blind his eyes. It is undeniably that the person whom Oedipus killed happened to be his father, but the choice of finding out the truth is on him. He CAN choose to listen to the prophet, as all we know prophet is the person who foresee the future. Thus, he should not force the prophet to reveal the truth since he knew the prophet has his reason behind his action. What should I say? Oedipus is over-confident in which he thinks he is capable to handle every thing. The real antagonist, I think, would be his over-confidence. It is the major reason that leads to his fall.
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2 comments:
In my opinion, we should not listen to oracle or fortune-teller. If Oedipus parents did not listen to that silly oracle, Oedipus would not be sent away from Thebes as a baby and by a remarkable coincidence saved and raised in Corinth. Oedipus is also another fool. If Oedipus have not listen to that prophecy, Oedipus would not kill his father, flees Corinth and by a still more remarkable coincidence, ends up back in Thebes, now king and husband in his actual father’s place. I think Sophocles’ aims in creating this drama is to justify the powers of the gods and prophets, which had recently come under attack in fifth-century b.c. Athens. Whatever people foretold about our life and future, we should live as we are. We are human being. We have our weaknesess. So accept it.
Sorry. I forgot to give my answer for this post. Oedipus has a choice in listening and comply to the prophecy or to ignore it. For me, it is better to ignore it and this tragedy would not happen.
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