Oedipus: Aristotelian or Formalist Theory Essay

Teiresiass quarrel at the end of scene unity of Sophocles run into Oedipus Rex is fairly short but it is in this encounter between Oedipus and Teiresias w here(predicate) the principal(prenominal) conflict of the story begins to unfold. This is a pivotal speech in the hunt down as it helps to convey some of the major themes in the play as well as begin to march on up the tragic jeering at the center of the story. When this speech is analyzed using either peripatetic or Formalist scheme key elements female genitals be bring that ar effective in increasing the drama in the play and in tying together one of the plays central theme.In the Poetics Aristotle outlines his vision of a successful tragedy and states that plot and part argon the beginning two principle features of tragedy. Teiresiass final speech helps to develop both of these key components of tragedy in Oedipus Rex successfully. During his conversation with the king Teiresias introduces the first source of confli ct into the play as Oedipus tries to convince the old gentleman to reveal what he knows about Laioss murder.Aristotle termed this moment of the plot the desis which in modern literary terms is known as the complication which serves to build up the drama of a story towards the climax, and Teiresiass speech here achieves that purpose. There is also an effective use of foreshadowing in Teiresiass speech in which he reveals to the audience the twist of fate that Oedipus forget experience even though the king at this point is asleep of Teiresiass true meaning.The reversal of fortune and recognition contained in Oedipus Rex are praised by Aristotle as being characteristics of an ideal plot and the foreshadowing found in Teiresiass speech help to build up the forecasting towards the revelation of Oedipuss identity. In the perfect tragedy Aristotle stated that character should support the plot and Teiresiass final speech was indirectly really effective in building Oedipuss character. Until his meeting with Teiresias Oedipus was enchantn a tactful king looking out for the inte last out of his people in seek to strike Laioss grampus. In his conversation with Teiresias the audience gets its first glance of Oedipuss anger and can begin to see him as subject of being the murderer they are searching for. Teiresiass final speech also reveals to the audience Oedipuss tragic flaw of non sagacious who he truly is, which will eventually be his downfall.In divine revelation Oedipuss genuine ignorance to his true identity through this speech the audience feels more pity for the king when the revelation occurs and this heightens the tragedy of the play. From a Formalist theory perspective of Teiresiass speech two literary devices are utilise that effectively increase the drama of the play and tie in a central theme and those are symbolism and olfaction. Symbolism in Teiresiass speech begins to build the tragic irony of the play and to realise one of the themes of the play of sight versus knowledge.Teiresias describes the killer as a blind man, Who has his eyeball now, but he is also referring to Oedipuss inability to see the truth (Sophocles 720). Teiresias himself is a powerful symbol as well in the play as he is blind but he can see the truth of better than Oedipus despite the kings attempts to discover the truth so vigorously. In the end of the play when Oedipus blinds himself upon finally study the truth he completes the imagery that was begun in Teiresiass final speech.The tone of Teiresiass speech is ominous and foreboding and it serves to change the tone of the full play. At this point the audience is becoming aware that things will not end well for Oedipus and his valiant quest to find Laioss killer is going to result in dire consequences. The graphic imagery in the line Who came to his fathers bed, wet with his fathers snag helped establish this ominous tone that serves to build the tension through the rest of the play (Sophocle s 720).After his encounter with Teiresias Oedipus becomes increasing confrontational with other characters in the play and the tone set by Teiresiass speech helps to establish much of that conflict. Sophocles Oedipus Rex is such a well-rounded piece of literature that unheeding of what literary approach is used to analyze it the play will interpret an endless vehicle for discovery. There are so many multiplex images, themes, and symbols weaved together that it is an ideal story to study.