Oedipus Rex Group

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kingjacob02
kingjacob02
Student
Community / Jr. College

Was there a part in Oedipus Rex where Oedipus is judge, prosecuter and defendant?

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Posted by kingjacob02 on Wednesday September 16, 2009 at 12:01 PM and tagged with characters, defendant, judge, literature, oedipus rex, prosecuter.

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  1. mstultz72 Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    This is a great question, and whoever came up with it should receive merit pay.

    Toward the beginning of the play Oedipus plays all three roles in his stubborn pursuit of the truth.  After the Oracle says Lauis' murderer should be found, Oedipus puts a curse on said murderer, not knowing it is himself.  This would essentially make him the judge.  But, being king, isn't he judge already?

    Soon after this, he calls for Teiresias, who accuses Oedipus of being the murderer.  Now, Oedipus is the defendant.  And still judge, remember?

    He knows he probably won't win against the great blind prophet, so Oedipus goes after Creon, accusing him of treason, more or less.  Now, Oedipus becomes the prosecutor in order to deflect or deny blame incurred by Teiresias.

    All three of these "scenes" lead up to the climax of the play where the two star witnesses, the Herdsman and the Messenger, take the stand.

    You remember what the sentencing is, don't you?  Oedipus and his mother/wife then become judge, jury, and executioners.

    Sources:
    http://www2.cnr.edu/home/bmcmanus/oedipusplot.html

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    Posted by mstultz72 on Wednesday September 16, 2009 at 5:56 PM