I felt that in the reading of Oedipus the King, Aristotle's explanation dealing with affecting the audience through pity and terror comes very well into play with this particular reading. The first instance that I felt pity would have been when Oedipus is going through the town asking anyone to speak up about the killing of King Lais, in lines 245-315. The reason I feel pity is because Oedipus is so desperate to find out all of the information, but what he doesn't really know, is that he is the killer; in that way I have pity on him through that struggle.
The second time that I felt pity in this reading was when Jocasta tries to tell Oedipus to stop searching, and just realize that it wasn't him. It turns out that it was him all along and Jocasta being Oedipus" mother and wife, doesn't know how to deal with it all and kills herself. Everyone was devastated by her acts. This gives me great pity on her and her family's behalf.
Which brings my next moment of pity. Oedipus comes into the room where he finds Jocasta hanging from the ceiling. He thinks it is all is fault of course, and doesn't know what to do with himself. Oedipus takes Jocasta's broach pins and gauges out his eyes, wishing to never see anything ever again. This cause me much pity on his behalf, only because all along through everything it was his fault, but in a sense not really, he was doomed to this killing through destiny not by choice.
My last moment of pity was when Oedipus asks to see his daughters for the last time and tells them that he wishes them a long happy life and that it saddens him that he can no longer see them.
Oedipus taking his own eyesight also brought a feeling of terror. The way that it is portrayed in the story was very much disturbing, especially through lines 1400 to 1410. Not only did I feel terror through the reading but also the pictures in the reading were also very graphic. I also felt terror for Oedipus when he knew he was about to be banished and exiled for the rest of his days.
