The story takes places Thebes, a city that has fallen into a miserable state. In order to save his city, the king, Oedipus, sends his brother-in-law, Creon, to speak to the oracle in Delphi. When he returns, Creon repeats to Oedipus the oracle’s information and goes on to tell him the story of Kind Laius’s death. Vowing to find the murderer, Oedipus sends for the blind prophet, Tiersias, to consult him on his knowledge. Eventually, Tiresias tells Oedipus that Oedipus himself was the murderer. The conversation continues, during this time Tieresias defends his abilities and Oedipus inquires about his parents. Tieresias then exits the stage, and Iocaste, Oedipus’s wife, enters. Immediately she attempts to discredit and deny the prophet’s prophecies. In order to determine …show more content…
Diction: The author’s word choice is specifically used to promote strong emotions from readers. Words such as “defilement,” “pollution” and “execrable” both have negative connotations and draw out power negative feelings from the audience.
Song: Throughout the play, the chorus acts as emotional narrators and explains to the audience scenes that occur off the stage. They help to instruct the audience how to react to the events that unfold on and off the stage. For example, if a scene is humorous the song is upbeat, carefree and silly. However if a particular scene is sad, the song will be slow, depressing and gloomy.
Spectacle: The spectacle occurs when Oedipus stabs his own eyes out with his wife’s brooches at the sight of Iocaste’s dead body hanging from a noose. He stabs them repeatedly into his eyes causing him to lose all sight, splattering blood everywhere in the process, and all that remains are bloody sockets.
Reversal of the situation: The course the play is headed is reversed when the messenger reveals to Oedipus that Polybos is dead and that he was never his