SECTION 112 Thursday 10-11 242 Dwinelle
download patch w32SECTION 113 Thursday 11-12 175 Barrows
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For our next section meeting (April 15), we turn to the most notorious--and perhaps most misread--of Greek myths, the single most famous drama in the Western tradition: the story of Oedipus. I hope you let the tragedy’s knife-edged dialog, chisel-like language, and relentless logic wash over you. Our assignment follows:
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1) Bernard Knox’s “Introduction” to Sophocles’s Oedipus the King (p. 131-153).
2) Sophocles’s Oedipus the King (p. 155-251).
3) Robert Graves, Greek Myths, chapter 105.E (the Sphinx).
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1) Doubtless you have heard of Sigmund Freud’s famous theory that unconsciously every male wants to kill his father and sleep with his mother. He called this supposed urge the “Oedipal urge”. Do you think he chose an appropriate name?--i.e., that this is a good interpretation of the Oedipus myth?
2) How does the Sphinx compare or contrast with other monsters we’ve seen? And how might we interpret the role of the Sphinx and its riddle within the Oedipus myth?
3) To what extent does Oedipus have freedom of action and free will, according to Knox’s reading? To what extent do you agree with Knox?
4) Would you say that guilt here is defined and determined by actions, or by motives? Both?
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