Friday, March 15, 2013

Comment on Oedipus' last speech in "Oedipus Rex."

If you mean his actual last line in the play, it is " Do not take them from me!" It shows how his priorities have changed, and his place in the world. From being a king, and proud, he is reduced to a father and a victim.


If you mean his last extended speech, it is deeply ironic. Look at the final lines:

"Oh, children, if you could understand, I would
give you so much advice; as it is, just pray
with me that you obtain a better life
than did the father who sired you."

 

This comes from a man whose real father tried to protect himself from his son, and who killed his own father. It also shifts the source of action: pray for change, rather than actively striking out to obtain it. He's become pious in his pain.

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