Theatre has been one of the most predominant art forms apparent in all civilizations for hundreds of years. While many early cultures have played important roles in the shaping of present day theatre, one of the most influential contributions has been from ancient Greece. There were two main types of Greek theatre – comedy and tragedy. While comedy is an important aspect of Greek theatre, tragedy plays an invaluable role in helping understand the norms and central values common in the Athenian culture. Tragedies were characterized by a conviction held by the tragedian that he is questioning themes that are central to his understanding of the human condition (Joint Associated of Classics Teachers, 1984, p. 306). These tragedies would then be performed for an audience, where these ideas would be questioned and examined by the audience. Within all tragedies there lie a few central ideas – one of these is the traits of a tragic hero. There are four main traits that differentiate this type of character from others. These four traits are: being descended from noble birth, the intended or unintended desire to resist fate, a violent protest, and the contrast between their final fate and

The second main image represented in Oedipus the King is that of a ship (Musarillo, 1957, p. 41). Sea-fare was a prevalent aspect of Athenian and Greek society. In the Peloponnesian wars and Persian wars, Athens was primarily a naval power which they gained acclaim for (Joint Associated of Classics Teachers, 1984, p. 361). A storm endangering a city is something most Greeks could identify with, but this imagery is intensified by its relevance to Sophocles’ overall design in the play. Oedipus’ character denotes a captain, who commands his crew of sailors. In lines 22 and 23 when speaking of the city, Sophocles’ uses words like plunged, depths, and headlong which can all be likened to that of a sinking ship (Sophocles, 1993, p. 66). In line 24 again it is apparent when it is said that Thebes has been “Engulfed by a murderous seething tide” (Sophocles, 1993, p. 66). Alternately, the crew of sailors symbolizes the people of Thebes under their captain’s authority. This is shown in line 40 and 41 where the Elders say “Now, Oedipus, our master and greatest power, We are all in your care, and we beg of you” (Sophocles, 1993, p. 66). Analogies to sea faring and ships were something the Athenian people could identify with. Sophocles’ uses language like this, associating a hierarchy of a ship with the Theban populace to describe and augment the communication of the idea that Oedipus has chosen, through a god’s influence, a route that will ruin his empire.

Some topics in this essay:
Classics Teachers, Oedipus King, Athens Theban, Elders Oedipus, King Laius, King Theatre, Oedipus Sophocles’, Thebes Oedipus’, King Athenian, King Sophocles, sophocles 1993, oedipus king, classics teachers 1984, resist fate, tragic hero, joint associated, classics teachers, associated classics teachers, associated classics, joint associated classics, teachers 1984, ancient greece, sophocles 1993 65, king laius, sophocles 1993 66,