Outline For Oedipus The King

Essay Outline

INTRODUCTION

1. Opening Sentence:

A prophecy, usually told by a god or spirit, can foretell your future destiny. If you were given the opportunity to know yours given the precautions that it could positively or negatively influence your life, would you ask for it or just let it slip?

2. Background Information:

In Oedipus the King, by Sophocles, Oedipus was told that he would kill his father Laius and marry his mother Jocasta. However, Oedipus doesn’t believe that he killed Laius but was blind to the truth for him accept it which led to his demise.

3.Thesis Statement:

In the playwright “Oedipus the King”, by Sophocles, the protagonist Oedipus has learned that his prophecy is destined for him to marry his mother Jocasta

He that led the way and the old man himself wanted to thrust me out of the road by force. I became angry and struck the coachman who was pushing me. When the old man saw this he watched his moment, and as I passed he struck me from his carriage, full on the head with his two pointed goad. But he was pain in full and presently my stick had struck him backwards from the car and he rolled out of it. And then I killed them all. (Lines 934-947)

Commentary: In these lines it is revealed that Oedipus killed Laius on his way to Thebes. This is a matter of free will, as Oedipus couldn’t control his emotions when crossing to Thebes. Oedipus would have not killed his father if he didn’t let his anger overcome the best of him. Also it was a matter of free will, that Oedipus was traveling to Thebes as it was his decision to do so and no one told him to travel there.

Concluding Sentence: Oedipus made some horrific decisions and all were a matter of free will, along rising to becoming king in Thebes which cost him to fulfill his horrid prophecy.

BODY PARAGRAPH

Concrete Detail:

TEIRESIAS: Did you not understand before or would you provoke me into