Hi! I have a paper on Oedipus as a character of "appalling greatness." Is this how the audience for which Sophocles wrote the play would see him, or is it a "modern misinterpretation?"

Question

and This critic has argued "Oedipus" has the most impact of any ancient tragedy. If you feel that as well, how do you account for it?

1. I think it was written for Sophocles' audience because his character follows the words of the divine and even though it eventually casts him out, he is still courageous enough to exile himself.

2. I think it is the most impacting tragedy because he tries to escape his prophecy, yet he winds up having fulfilled it while trying not to. In the end, he loses everything he has.

Do these ideas make sense? Could you help me clarify these?

Thank you!

1. I think it was written for Sophocles' audience because his character follows the words of the divine and even though it eventually casts him out, he is still courageous enough to exile himself.
You're not answering the question. Do you think the term "appalling greatness" is how the audience in 5th century BC Athens would have interpreted the character, or is it a misinterpretation by someone in today's world? Then explain why you think so.

2. I think it is the most impacting tragedy because he tries to escape his prophecy, yet he winds up having fulfilled it while trying not to. In the end, he loses everything he has.
What does "most impacting tragedy" mean? This part is not clear. The rest (from "he tries" onward) seems all right, but more explanation would help.

Here are some websites to help you:
http://www.sparknotes.com/drama/oedipus/
Analysis of major characters might help.

http://www.gradesaver.com/classicnotes/titles/oedipus/

=)

These sites may help, too:

The Greeks: Crucible of Civilization
http://www.pbs.org/empires/thegreeks/
This site comes in both a Flash 4 (for fast Internet connections) and an HTML version. Click on "Educational Resources" for Lesson 4, "Oedipus the King: An Introduction to Greek Drama." Other lessons involve research into Greek civilization.

Sophocles - Biography and Works
http://www.online-literature.com/sophocles/
Good background information.

=)

All of Sophocles writings were based on a philosophical argument. How much of man's fate is in "god"s hands" and how much does man have control of.

Appalling Greatness is an oxymoron. Think about what in this play is "appalling" and what is "great".... and how can this be found in one man at the same time.
The interesting thing about Oedipus is that we are still having the same discussion today.... and we still find "appalling greatness" in our leaders today.