Sophocles Oedipus Rex - Book Report/Review Example

PRAGMATISM V. IDEALISM IN SOPHOCLES' OEDIPUS THE KING Outline I. Introduction: Definition of Pragmatism and Idealism II. Idealism v. Pragmatism in Oedipus Rex A. Argumentative Thesis: Sophocles' Oedipus Rex followed a theme of pragmatism. B. Discussion: Exploring on Thesis Statement 1. Abandonment of Oedipus as an infant 2. Oedipus' physical self-infliction 3. Murder of King Laius and his troops as a practical stance 4. Refusal of Oedipus to return to Corinth to avoid the prophesy 5. The prophesies as pragmatic III. Conclusion I. Introduction This paper aims to argue on a specific philosophical idea, specifically idealism v. pragmatism on the subject of Sophocles' Oedipus Rex. Idealism is defined as a theory that the object of external perception consists of ideas. 1 It is the act or practice of perceiving things according to their ideal form and involves idealized treatment of a subject.2 On the other hand, pragmatism is defined as setting aside one idea to pursue a lesser, more achievable ideal, and involves pursuing practical approaches to problems. A pragmatist is said to be a person who is primarily concerned with the success or failure of his actions.3 Briefly, Oedipus Rex is a tragedy about a man who, from birth, was prophesied to kill his father and marry his mother. Because of this prophesy, his mother abandoned him in the mountains. He was then found by a couple and took care of him until he grew up. He killed a man in a fight along the road, who happened to be his real father, and married a widow, who happened to be his mother. This paper will ascertain which between idealism and pragmatism is trailed by the tragedy "Oedipus the King" and shall involve an argumentative thesis that will direct the argument. I. Idealism V. Pragmatism in Oedipus Rex A. Argumentative Thesis: Sophocles' Oedipus Rex followed a theme of pragmatism. B. Discussion This paper posits that pragmatism is the theme followed by Sophocles' Oedipus Rex and this theme is visible throughout the literature. Pragmatism is initially visible in the abandonment by Jocasta of her infant son in the mountains, owing to the prophecy that the child will kill his father and marry his mother when he grows up. This scenario is a clear-cut reflection of setting aside an ideal to pursue a lesser, more achievable one, and involves a practical approach to a problem. Abandoning the infant son in the wilderness with the expectation that he will soon die and not survive was a practical approach to the problem of imminent murder of his father and marrying his mother, both considered a moral taboo in the Athenian society4 and even today. Oedipus' self-banishment and stabbing out his eyes as a self-punishment for the crimes committed is also viewed in this paper as pragmatic stances, in that albeit the fact that Oedipus felt that he truly deserved such painstaking physical punishment, it was also the only solution to drive off the pestilence in the city. It was based on what the oracle declared as the only remedy for which the pestilence would finally stop, specifically by casting off the former King's murderer from the city. This murderer was apparently Oedipus himself. 5 Oedipus' stance for physical infliction was a pursuit for a lesser, more achievable action considering the nature of the Athenian society at this time where stoicism was practiced for self-purification. Society at this time frowned at morally questionable gestures such as parricide and incest, and Oedipus' decision for self-infliction to suffer the offenses was only a proper gesture normally done by a decent, upright Athenian citizen. It is in this aspect that this paper claims pragmatism in Sophocles' tragedy. Others may claim that such gesture of self-infliction was in fact idealism, but this paper sees otherwise. Although self-affliction is viewed by today's time as undesirable and impractical (as against pragmatism treading on being practical), it is however viewed as practical still and a common thing to do to write off trespasses and characteristically taboo actions in the Athenian society, like what Oedipus committed - albeit unknowingly. Pragmatism in Oedipus Rex is also seen in the murder of King Laius and his troops, which began in a disagreement. Reliance in physical strength was a feature of Athenian society, and the murder is seen in this paper as another pragmatic action based on pursuing a more achievable ideal, and killing the enemies was pursuing a practical approach to peril or danger. The idealist position might be to leave the enemies behind, having respect for life as a more desirable goal. However, since Oedipus was a pragmatist himself, exterminating them was an easier solution. Another pragmatic action in the tragedy is Oedipus' refusal to return to Corinth due to the fear of the oracle's fulfillment about murdering his father whom he thought was King Polybus and marrying his mother whom he thought was Queen Merope. On account of the old prophesy, Oedipus returned to Corinth only when Queen Merope died, following the death of King Polybus years after. Oedipus saw it as the most practical solution for the prophesy not to take place, and is viewed in this paper as a pragmatic stance. He could have served himself as King after the death of King Polybus, as the only existing heir left, besides his mother, but pragmatic decisions compelled him to refuse to remain in Corinth. The prophesies themselves were in fact trailing the path of pragmatism, in that the seers guided society on the practical and functional way of things, governing the actions and decisions of people, like those of Jocasta's and Oedipus.' Prophesies in themselves tended to prepare the people for imminent danger, catastrophes, and tragedies as well as anticipate good life and happiness for those who were fated to live a life in such a way. Thus, the prophesy upon Oedipus' birth was to practically prepare King Laius and Jocasta for the looming misfortune and make them do a major decision of losing their son rather then allowing the mishap to transpire. Such decision reflects how the severity of incest and parricide was viewed in the Athenian society as of greater degree than casting off an infant son. More than anything else, the circumstance led to the importance placed on living a normal life within what society prescribed. Trailing away from the prescribed social norms meant being socially discarded, which was apparently such a horrible experience for the violators. Hence, Jocasta would rather hang herself and Oedipus would rather stab his eyes and inflict a self-punishment of banishment. These actions were considered pragmatic, in which practical approaches to problems were pursued. These are the bases why this paper holds that Sophocles' "Oedipus Rex" followed a theme of pragmatism. III. Conclusion This paper argues that Sophocles' Oedipus Rex follows the philosophical idea of pragmatism, and holds that there are dominant features of the tragedy in which an idea is set aside in order to pursue a lesser, more achievable goal and practical approaches to problems are pursued. The argument against idealism is held by the thesis statement "Sophocles' Oedipus Rex followed a theme of pragmatism," directing the discussion of this paper all throughout. Some cultural and social backgrounds of the Athenian society were considered in taking the position that pragmatism prevails in the Sophocles tragedy. Social norms defining and prohibiting moral taboos were guidelines that directed people's actions and decisions. The decision of King Laius and Jocasta to get rid of their infant son is viewed as a pragmatic position, in that they saw this as the most practical thing to do to prevent the oracle from taking place. Jocasta's suicide and Oedipus' physical self-infliction are also seen as pragmatic stances in that success or failure of one's actions is a primary concern. References Boyle, K. and Bergstrom, J. Benefit Transfer Studies. Water Resources Research, 1992. Hylton, Peter. The idealist Background. Oxford Scholarship Online Monographs, 1992. James, William. A New Name for Some Old Ways of Thinking. Longsman, Green and Co., 1931. Leys, Wayne AR. Ethics and Social Policy. Prentice Hall, 1947. Roche, Paul. The Oedipus Plays of Sophocles: Complete Texts of Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus, Antigone. Penguin Group, 1996. Read More