The play, which was first performed in 429 BCE, tells the story of Oedipus, the king of Thebes, who is on a quest to uncover the truth about his past and his identity. Often they end up taking one or more characters down with them, and Oedipus Rex is a perfect example of this type of plot. Oedipus Rex by Sophocles is a masterpiece of Greek literature that is widely studied and analyzed for its use of literary devices. Over the centuries, it has come to be regarded by many as the Greek tragedy par excellence. Sophocles, a master of tragedy, creates strong, willful heroes who inevitably discover that their intelligence and independence, combined with an unhealthy sense of self-pride or hubris, leads to their downfall. It was the second of Sophocles's three Theban plays to be produced, but it comes first in the internal chronology, followed by Oedipus at Colonus and then Antigone. How often theme appears: section length: Section. Click or tap on any chapter to read its Summary & Analysis. the theme of Guilt and Shame appears in each section of Oedipus Rex. Oedipus the King (often known by the Latin title Oedipus Rex) is an Athenian tragedy by Sophocles that was first performed c. Upgrade to A + Download this LitChart (PDF) Teachers and parents Struggling with distance. Translated by Francis Storr (1839 - 1919) It follows the story of King Oedipus of Thebes as he discovers that he has unwittingly killed his own father, Laius, and married his own mother, Jocasta.

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