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Sophocles Characters Grouping on Oedipus Rex
In the tragedy Oedipus Rex (4-45 B.C.), Sophocles implemented a character grouping system that helped the people from the audience to identify themselves with the different societal classes. Three major hierarchical groups can be selected from the Greek's society of this period. The Supernatural group constituted by the gods, the Governmental or State group conformed by the Royalty, and the Populi group represented by Thebes' habitants. The used of a group model was the bridging tool that linked the audience and readers with the play. It worked as a mirror for the spectators, and reflected independent behaviors that characterize Athenians social structure.
"Your own eyes must tell you Thebes is in her extremity And can not lift her head from the surge of death. A rust consumes the buds and fruits of the earth; Tthe herds are sick ; children die unborn, And labour is vain. The god of plague and pyre raids like detestable lighting through the city, And all the houses of Kadmos is laid waste, All emptied, and all darkened Death alone Battens upon the misery of Thebes."(Sophocles 5).
The quote presented above, shows how the gods are the number one power in Greece society. They have the supreme and omnipotent power to control everything on earth, without considering any military, political and cultural power obtained by the royalty.
The gods plagued the entire Thebes population because of its misbehavior, without taking in consideration how much power Oedipus and Iocate had. This proved the authority that they posses over all human beings devoid of discrimination. Apollo son of Zeus, rejected the idea of having a selfish, uncontrollable city that didn't care about the gods commands; therefore he punished them with the plague.
By grouping, Sophocles helped the public and readers to understand their personal roll in society. Oedipus Rex emphasized the importance of religious by creating an extreme situation of punishment for the Thebes habitants. The main purpose of this group distinction is to make the audience understand the importance of their gods, and how gods should be placed way above any human authority no matter how powerful this one could be.
The second group created was the State or Government. It is represented by the King and Queen of Thebes in this case, Laios and Iocaste at first followed by Oediopus and Iocaste. Sophocles, represent the State as the link between the gods and the people. By placing the royalty between the three groups, Sophocles automatically gave to the government a socio-political and cultural responsibility over the people of Thebes.
"You are not one of the immortal gods, we know; Yet we have come to you to make our prayer As to the man that all men best in adversity And wisest in the ways of God." (Sophocles 5)
In the quote the Priest acted in representation of Thebes' people, by asking the king, Oedipus to save them from misery one more time. The power of the Royalty is directly given from the people because, without the city there is no Kingdome. The authors intended to transmit to the readers and viewers, that they are responsible of who they elect for leaders, and also of making them to respond to the people by accomplishing the State mission.
The last group presented in the play is the habitants of Thebes. They are the least powerful and more suppressed of all groups because, they are in the bottom of the social structure where less power and resources are available.
"Therefore, Oh mighty King, we turn to you Find us our safety, find us a remedy, whether by counsel of the gods or men. A king of wisdom tested in the past Can act in a time of troubles, and act well. Noblest of men, restore Life to your city! Think how all men call you Liberator for your triumph long ago; Ah, when your years of kingship are remembered, Let them not say We rose, but later fell Keep the State from going down in the storm!" (Sophocles 5)
Clearly the authors made the point of the mutual responsibility between the Government and the city by demonstrating how the people of Thebes had a voice of their own, represented by the Priest. When Oedipus listened to the people, he felt responsible over his duty and started searching for answers to save his city. Sophocles explains in his play how the city of Thebes totally depends in the quality of their leaders; this is where the populis had their only real power, the power of selecting their leaders and asking them to perform their duties.
In conclusion, the authors attempted to make the audience understand the different roles within the Athenians society, by assigning different weights of responsibility and power within class groups. The division this roles is probably the most important aspect of Oedipus Rex when focusing in society as a whole. Sophocles used the grouping system to distinguish the different among classes and their societal duties as being separates entities within the State. The best successful formula for the State to accomplish its means is to make the people and the government to perform all their religious, political and cultural duties.
Bibliography
Coldewey, John C. and Streitberger, W.R. "Greek Drama and Theater, Sophocles Oedipus Rex" Revised Edition Drama Classical to Contemporary, 001,18 pg.5
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