Plague, Sickness, or/and Disease in Oedipus - Book Report/Review Example

Plague, sickness, or/and disease in ‘Oedipus’       Inserts His/Her           Inserts Grade Inserts Name 26 November 2009 The play Oedipus is the one which describes various events such as violent murder, incest, torture, family conflicts, jealousy, the presence of oracles, fearful plagues and a dreadful realization of a cursed mother that the man in her bed is not only her life partner, the father of their children, but her own son. Portrayal of ill-omen was the common feature of the Sophoclean and Elizabethan plays. In order to present the scenes more effective, the dramatists of that time resort either to some supernatural elements or chronic diseases. As plague was one of the fatal diseases, it had an inherent influence among the people of that time, and the writers made use of it effectively. It is the same feature that one identifies with Sophocles, ‘Oedipus,’ in which the first part of the play narrates "fiery plague ravaging the city." Reading through the play, one can make out the different characters mentioning of plague and the other fatal diseases that have affected Thebes, because of the ‘bad blood.’ From the first part of the play itself, a reader can understand the decisive role of diseases in the play. Regarding the presentation of plague, sickness, or/and disease, one can infer that they bear implied meanings other than the literal, appealing the readers and the same exert a vital role whole through the story. Plague is symbolical in the play and it appears off and on through the narrations of almost all the characters. There are many ways in which one or more characters in ‘Oedipus’ talk (and ask a reader to think) about plague, sickness, or/and disease. The audience is brought to the fierce state of Thebes—on the verge of destruction, with, “…parched crops, / Dear children, barrenness-/All they suffer they now, and more” (ch.1). The present state of Thebes causes nervous to Oedipus as the king, and he has keen desire to explore the real reasons behind the plague affected his country. Oedipus seeks answer to Creon, the prophet, and Creon replies, “Banishment, or the shedding of blood for blood. / The stain of blood makes shipwreck of our state.” (P.9). It is this sincere attempt of Oedipus that makes him assigning Tiresias, the blind prophet to investigate the murder of Laios, which later results for all calamities. Oedipus warns those who are not willing to disclose the secret of Laios’ death and he accuses them that they caused the plague. The words of the priest of Zeus to Oedipus are the true description of the plague, or the sufferings imposed on the people of Thebes. The priest, the representative of the people of Thebes, tells to Oedipus that the city is drowning and almost dead. The infertility of the soil, the burnt status of the cattle pastures, stillborn babies, and so on provides a glimpse to the imminent dangers awaiting the country, Thebes. The diseased state of the city has been brought out in more than one instance in the play, and it has been intertwined with Oedipus, which the audience meets in the latter part of the play. Empty homes and the reference of pained people of Thebes in the priest’s words make the scene more vivid to the audience. As the play progresses, the audience realize the root cause of the suffering or the plague or the ‘bad blood’ among the people of Thebes—Oedipus. Here the comments of the priest of Zeus about the character of Oedipus, that is, [Oedipus is] "among the foremost men in daily matters and in dealings with the gods" (Line 34), become ironical. As an attempt to save his country from plague, Oedipus requests Creon, “Cast me with all thy speed from out this land/Where nevermore a man look on me!” (p. 70). After a detailed reading of the play one can find out that in Act five of the play Creon gives an explanation about plague. He heard the atrocious hearsay about plague that settled in the land of Thebes. The crops destroyed, women in the land are infertile and children and cattle are dying. Here, plague stands for the fearful events which take place in the land of Thebes, but it has some deep implied meanings also. The real plague which mentioned here is the union of Oedipus and Jocasta. The union of Oedipus and Jocasta were a dreadful and an excoriation here one can see the nature itself expresses its reaction. Joscasta’s realization about death is quite inevitable and predicted. At the end Jocasta apprehends that fate is to censure, but her realization about truth fails of emotional fervor and she tells Oedipus, ‘ Let my woe suffice’ (p.54). She does not like to travel through the memory lane, and her words to Oedipus when he explained his plan to search for the root cause of the plague are notable. She says, “O woe is thee, poor wretch! With that last word/I leave thee, henceforth silence evermore” (P.79). These words make clear that Jocasta fears the fate too much, especially the prediction, when she gave birth to a baby in Laios. She does not like to reveal that secret to Oedipus, and this is also evident when Jocasta says, “Enough the anguish I endure” (P.77). The blind prophet in the play, Tiresias, warns Oedipus that he should not to try to unearth the killer of his father. Here Tiresias speaks about the dreadful plague that spread in the land of Thebes. The prophet provides enough information about the root cause of the plague and a reader can find that the plague which the prophet mentioned is Oedipus himself. Sprinx in Oedipus gives something about plague and death through her dark riddles. The question about the creature that walks four legs on morning, two at noon and three in the evening is about human being and specifically it goes to Oedipus. It implies that Oedipus is the cause of all the misfortunes. While reading Sophocles,’ Oedipus, one can easily identify that it is the best example of Greek tragedy. But this tragedy will not digest the average modern mindset people. Critics are recently well acknowledged the wealth of medical semiotics and metaphors in Greek tragedy and most of them had strong influence of Hippocratic theory. Ancient world considered that diseases are the symptoms of divine displeasure at mortal profligacy. The patient of this disease, since he considered as polluted, cannot be healed by a doctor but he should undergo self-purification of sacred manner. Oedipus, the king of Thebes was considered as a savior of the city and also comes for revealing the mysterious riddle. The incident of diseases started from the reign of Oedipus as a king. The author portraits Oedipus is accused of spreading of plague in Thebes. This epidemic disease signifies different meanings such as blighted crops, dying cattle and barren women. One of the notable things with regard to the disease of the country is that it is from Oedipus Thebes inherited plague. The fear of Oedipus about his past and the deep rooted anxiety causes obsession in him and it becomes his dominant emotion. Since he is the ruler of Thebes, it is evident that his passions and emotions will have reflections in his rule, that is, if the king has some kind of mental distress, it may affect the people also. The final state of Oedipus is very pathetic and one feels it while going through the last part of the play. Here it speaks of Oedipus’s condition as, “blasting Fates...quaking terror of Disease, Wasting, and black Pestilence, and mad Despair.’ It is sweet’, he concludes with macabre irony, ‘to have such guides’ (lines 1040-61). Since they suffer too much, the people of Thebes prays to God Apollo to save their country from its tormented state, affected with contemptuous diseases, infertile soil still born children, plague, and so on. Their prayers to Ares, the Slaughter-god of War to get them rid of from the grip of burning plague show how acute the disease is. Oedipus’ assurance to save them from these severe diseases seems to be ironical in the sense that a diseased cannot save the diseased people. To conclude, one can infer that the presentation of sickness, death and plague in Oedipus has various connotations and implied meanings. While reading through the play. One can see that the reference of these elements appear in the very first part of the play where Oedipus inquires his people about the reasons for their suffering and assures them all the possible help. One of the implied meanings of plague is the union of Jocasta and Oedipus. Author, Sophocles, had great interest on medical matters especially connection with healing God Asclepius. The author portrays Oedipus as the first and prime as a physician who can heal the people of Thebes from dreadful diseases. This metaphor had fully developed and portrayed throughout the play. Several critics have been commented over the play and analyzed the various terminologies used throughout the play. The meaning of epidemic ‘plague’ is fairly clear in this framework of the play. Here one can identify that the plague was representation of Oedipus’ sin which is polluting all Thebes and destructing all types of life and reproduction. This epidemic is the extremity of the seventy years of malfeasance permitted to build up since the cuss was first accomplished. The portrayal of acute diseases in plays has often been aimed to catch the attention of the audience, especially to exploit their superstitious beliefs. The people of that time strongly believed that diseases are the result of divine displeasure. Here the play agrees with such a belief that it is the sin of Oedipus, killing his father and marrying his mother which he committed unknowingly caused for all his personal problems and for the disaster of Thebes. Thus, one can see that one or more characters in Oedipus talk about plague, sickness, or/and disease. Different characters use the term ‘plague’ in different contexts with certain allusions or implied meanings. When the people of Thebes use it they were actually referring to the real plague or diseases that affected them. But to Creon and Tireseas, the blind prophet, it is Oedipus who has travelled through the path of sin. Oedipus regards plague, his mental distress, as the one that haunts him from the childhood itself. After reading the play, one can assume that plague or sickness can be treated in multiple, sometimes conflicting phases and the same keep the play as memorable among the readers. Works Cited Sophocles, Sir George Young (1991) Oedipus Rex, unabridged, abridged, Courier Dover Publications Sophocles (2006) Oedipus the King, Filiquarian Publishing, LLC. Pages- 9, 77, 79 Read More