Oedipus Rex Group

Question:

tinagunderson34
tinagunderson34
Student
College - Freshman

How does the concept of honor manifest itself in the play, "Oedipus Rex"?

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Posted by tinagunderson34 on Monday April 28, 2008 at 4:57 AM and tagged with concept, honor, oedipus rex, theme.

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  1. linda-allen Teacher
    High School - 10th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    One way in which honor is manifested in the play is in Oedipus's reaction when he discovers the truth about his marriage. As we would hope all people would be, he is shocked to learn that his wife is actually his birth mother. Instead of trying to hide the details from his people, however, after he gouges out his own eyes (perhaps because they looked at his naked mother, which is something a son should not do), he commands that he be shown to the people of Thebes and then goes into exile. He could have killed the messenger, put Jocasta away somewhere, and kept his secret and his throne. However, he shows that he is an honorable man by doing the right thing.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/oedipus-rex/act-v-summary

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    Posted by linda-allen on Tuesday April 29, 2008 at 8:43 PM