Medea And Oedipus Rex - 1447 Words

Rough Draft #2 The answer to the question of whether personal desires affect people’s actions more than the influence of others may seem like a one sided answer. However, upon closer inspection, it is acceptable to say that although some would argue that people’s own desires dictate their actions, the influences of others play a more prominent role in how an individual acts. The Greek tragedies â€Å"Medea† and â€Å"Oedipus Rex† are both stories that explore this controversial topic. â€Å"Oedipus Rex† follows the story of a king named Oedipus. His land is plagued, and the only way to get rid of this plague is to exile the one who killed the previous ruler of Thebes. Oedipus begins his search, along the way communicating with people that help him learn†¦show more content†¦10). These characteristics she develops and the actions she takes are an outcome solely due to the outside influence of Jason. Robert B. Palmer even describes Medea as a â€Å"demon witch who thirsts for blood and vengeance.† ( Palmer para. 3). The destruction of the relationship Jason and Medea shared is an obvious reason for Medea’s actions and is shown very early in the story, however Oedipus’s outside influences develop as the story progresses. Oedipus is effected by outside influences as much as Medea is, however it is not as exemplified. The outside influences slowly creep into Oedipus’s mindset as the story moves on. Despite how swayed Oedipus might have been by others, he showcases actions influenced only by personal desires in the beginning of the story. Oedipus is one who has a position of power, which may have shaped him to trust his own mind and decisions over others. His mental toughness is broken through however with characters such as Tiresias and the Herdsman. Little details about his past break down the barrier that shields his mind from being influenced by outside sources. As Effie Coughanowr suggests, Oedipus willingly listening to this toxic information serves as, â€Å"a single false step and tragedy becomes reality.† (Coughanowr para. 17). This process is a long one where at the end he is seen as broken man that blames himself for the events unfolded. The manner in which he blames himself , â€Å"O Kithairon, why did you bring me in? Or once you hadShow MoreRelatedThe Hubris In Oedipus Rex And Medea1027 Words   |  5 Pageshubris to showcase a characters downfall. Hubris has a huge part in plays like â€Å"Oedipus Rex† and â€Å"Medea†. The Hubris in Oedipus Rex and Medea, which leads to the eventual downfall of the characters and teaches the readers a valuable lesson by showcasing Jason’s ego and pride, Medea’s anger and pride, and Oedipus Rex’s arrogance and stubbornness. Jason’s ego and pride were showcased when he betrayed his wife, Medea and went off to marry another woman who was the princess. â€Å"It was not because ofRead MoreTragedy In Oedipus Rex And Antigone By Euripides784 Words   |  4 Pagesknown Greek tragedies; Oedipus Rex and Antigone by Sophocles and Medea by Euripides that not only have the common genre of tragedy, but share the same motifs; homicide, suicide, and suffering. What is intriguing about these commonalities is that these playwrights, Sophocles and Euripides, use them. Homicide is an act when a human permanently harms another leading in death and these plays like to use it quite a bit. In Oedipus Rex, by Sophocles, the main character Oedipus (king of Thebes) realizesRead MoreMedea And Hubris1050 Words   |  5 Pagesplays like â€Å"Oedipus Rex† and â€Å"Medea†, where it often leads to the eventual downfall of the characters. Human characters are often flawed; arrogance and self-importance blinding them in their weakest moments. It is common that the person’s character becomes their undoing. Hubris teaches the readers a valuable lesson by showcasing Jason’s ego and pride, Medea’s anger and pride, and Oedipus Rex’s arrogance and stubbornness. Jason’s ego and pride are illustrated when he betrays his wife, Medea, then proceedsRead More Tragedy In Drama Essay1713 Words   |  7 Pagesfatal error in judgement that would lead to his fall. Oedipus Rex is considered by most as the source for Aristotle’s ideas about tragedy, as it is a classic example of a hero with a tragic flaw that brings about his downfall. Again, we have a person of high standing in Oedipus, who is neither entirely good nor entirely bad. However, it is Oedipus’ pride that pervades as his tragic flaw throughout the play. It is pride that causes Oedipus to believe the rumor of his questionable parentage and furtherRead MoreGreek Theatre And Medieval Drama1587 Words   |  7 Pagesthe ending of Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex, Oedipus succumbs to his fate and is bewildered by his true identity; he then plucks the broaches off of Jocasta’s dead body and plunges them into his eyes, blinding himself (L.1268-1270, Oedipus Rex). While the presence of violence and death is inevitable in this play, the bloody scenes do not happen on stage. Greek dramaturgy did not reject violence on stage, but considered it impolite and not dramatically ef fective. To represent Oedipus’ bloody face-to-face withRead More A Tragedy Makes A Hero Essay1019 Words   |  5 Pagesstandpoint in relation to them. The story of â€Å"Medea† by Euripides is a tragic one indeed. Medea, a sorceress and a princess, used her powers and influence to help Jason, find the Golden Fleece. During the escape she kills her brother as a getaway. After several murders, Medea and Jason move to Corinth, which is where the play takes place. Here, Medea gives birth to two children by Jason establishing a family. Jason later moves out, divorcing Medea and moving in with Glauce, the daughter of CreonRead More Comparing Female Characters in Euripides Medea and Sophocles Oedipus the King and Antigone1555 Words   |  7 PagesComparing Female Characters in Euripides Medea and Sophocles Oedipus the King and Antigone      Ã‚  Ã‚   In the times of the ancient Greeks, women had an unpretentious role. They were expected to do take on the accepted role of a woman.   In most cases, a womans role is restricted to bearing young, raising children, and housework. In Sophocles Oedipus   the King, Antigone, and Medea, the dominant female characters impacted upon men with authority and political power.   It is Read More Willy Loman as Tragic Hero of Death of a Salesman Essay1519 Words   |  7 PagesHero of Death of a Salesman       Willy Loman, the title character of the play, Death of Salesman, exhibits all the characteristics of a modern tragic hero. This essay will support this thesis by drawing on examples from Medea by Euripedes, Poetics by Aristotle, Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, and Shakespeares Julius Caesar, while comments by Moss, Gordon, and Nourse reinforce the thesis.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Death of Salesman, by Arthur Miller, fits the characteristics of classic tragedy. ?.... this isRead MoreParent Child Relationship in Greek Mythology Essay1625 Words   |  7 Pagesschemed the overthrow of their husbands, with the help of their offspring. 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