Sophocles\'s Oedipus the King PDF

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Emily Kay McNeeley Brian Schultis Playscript and Performance Analysis 27 January 2020 Sophocles’s Oedipus the King Gut Reaction and Reading Questions 1. I had already read Sophocles’s Oedipus the King in high school so I was already familiar with the story before I read but my gut response from reading it again was how crazy the story really is. It is all wrapped together in a way that’s a mystery and you are on the edge of your seat because it starts in the middle and you find out what happened before and what is happening now and the same time. Oedipus was the most interesting character because the whole crazy and twisted story follows his adventures to find the truth behind the prophecy. The shepherd was the least interesting character because he did not give much mystery. He just refuses to speak and then speaks when threatened. There was not too much mystery since I had read the play before but it was fun to reread the mystery while knowing the answer. 2. The basic plot of the play is that Oedipus learns from an oracle that the only way to end the plague that’s destroying Thebes is to find the murderer of Thebe’s last king, Laius, and Oedipus goes off to solve the mystery. 3. There weren’t any unfamiliar references since we had already discussed it in my high school class. 4. Floor plan diagram as described:

5. It is set in the Royal House of Thebes several years after Oedipus became King. I found this information in the stage directions. 6. Oedipus is the main character and is the current King of Thebes. Creon is Oedipus’ second-in-command, brother-in-law, and trusted advisor. Tiresias is a blind prophet who guides Oedipus with his visions. Jocasta is Oedipus’ wife and mother. There are also some minor characters including some messengers, the shepherd, and the chorus. 7. The overall mood of the play seems to be leaning towards tragic but I find the irony of it funny so it could be either. 8. I found myself identifying with the shepherd because I would not want to say something that could get people hurt or killed....