Cultural Context Of Oedipus The King

During the interactive oral, cultural context of Oedipus Rex was explored through religion which deepened my understanding of the cultural and contextual considerations of Sophocles’s work. The social context of this book brought to light the religion of the the effect of time and place on the writing and development of the book.

My understanding of the worked developed through the knowledge the cultural background of the work. The play set in Ancient Greece, is a place rich in mythology and worship for gods. In this book, Greek mythology played a tremendous role in the development of the story, functioning as the context and the cultural background to which the story is based upon. God Apollo in this book act as an important role model,

Nothing can make me other than I am.” While Oedipus’s fate of killing his father and sleeping with his mother is sealed, he only learns that he has fulfilled his fate through persistent searching. Therefore, it is his free will which led the that the discovery of the tragedy. In this play, Sophocles played with the idea of the extent fate and free will have on a person’s life. Through free will and choice did Oedipus began his search on the truth on the murderer of the former King Laius and of his own heritage. Throughout the play, Oedipus pushes for information and knowledge on the murderer and of his heritage although the characters refuses to answer. During his quest for truth, other characters tried to stop him, "Oh no, listen to me, I beg you, don’t do this….Listen to you? No more. I must know it all, see the truth at last " (Sophocles 195),however, he didn’t. His desire for truth kept pushing him to continue his quest and ultimately leading to his downfall. The entire time Oedipus had the capability to discontinue the plight. However he made the independent decision to continue due to his human nature of having strong will and determination. Another instance where choices directly linked Oedipus to the prophecy was at the crossroads, where important trait in his character, stubbornness was displayed. This trait is visible when Oedipus reacted to the man pushing him aside at the crossroads. "the one shouldering me aside, the driver, I strike him in anger! ….I killed them all--every mother's son!"