Epilogue+&+Exodus

= =
 * Epilogue & Exodus **


 * Summary: ** A palace official tells the story of Jocasta’s suicide as well as how Oedipus blinds himself in a fit of despair to the townspeople. After speaking to his people and saying a tearful goodbye to his children/siblings, Oedipus is exiled from Thebes, leaving Creon as king.


 * Purpose: ** Serves as the climax of the play and delivers the moral of the story: don’t run from fate; it will always catch up with you.

**A raging, god-like side of Oedipus is introduced** -Palace official says that Oedipus, in search of Jocasta, stamps "up and down" (p.70), “smashes hollering through the double doors, breaking all its bolts, produces “a maddened cry” (p.70) when he sees the dead Jocasta -Palace official also says “some instinct of a demigod discovered her to [Oedipus]”(p.70), comparing him to a god, and he “all [a door’s] bolts” (p.70), Oedipus displaying almost god-like strength -Differs greatly from Oedipus’ portrayal at the beginning of the play; the priest specifically says that Oedipus “is no god” (p. 6) -Ironic, in a way; only described as god-like after his life has been essentially taken away from him
 * __ Characterization of Oedipus __**

**Oedipus more grateful for people of Thebes** -Surprised that towns people sympathize with him after past has been revealed (Oedipus says “Still friends and by my side!...your voice is near; that voice lights up my darkness.”(p.72) -Changed from the beginning; Oedipus felt vastly superior to the townspeople, calls them “his children” (p.5)

====In contrast to the other episodes of the play, the Exodus portrays Oedipus as a completely altruistic and humble character who places himself at the bottom of the food chain; as an inferior to all the citizens of Thebes. Oedipus’s change in character is symbolized by the tragedy of his blindness when he pierces his eyes with Jocasta’s golden brooches.====
 * ====**Before Blinding Himself:**====

A refusal to accept the truth
|| ====**After Blinding Himself:**====

An ultimate acceptance of the truth
||
 * ====Placing himself above everyone else; as a superior==== || ====Requesting that he be exiled and never harbored alive by Thebes; portraying himself as an inferior==== ||
 * ====Rampaging through his palace seeking for a weapon with which to kill Jocasta (blaming his cursed life upon Jocasta instead of accepting his fate)==== || ====Declares the entirety of his crime to the citizens of Thebes. (Also asks that Jocasta be buried with the honor a queen deserves.)==== ||
 * ====Disrespect and anger to Creon for accusing him of killing Laius.====

Accuses Creon instead of plotting against him [Oedipus].
|| ====Respect towards Creon and begging for favors, especially regarding his children==== ||


 * __ Role of Characters __**

**Chorus** -The chorus shows sympathy toward Oedipus, in turn helping the audience sympathize with Oedipus; Chorus says “Poor [Oedipus]! What Agony!” (p.70)

**Jocasta** Jocasta acts to emphasize the punishment Oedipus addresses himself. While Jocasta hangs herself over guilt and shame for her crimes, Oedipus refrains from such suicidal actions and instead chooses to be banished from Thebes. While Jocasta is essentially able to escape this feeling through death, Oedipus chooses to live with these sinful memories of his. Oedipus' choice is portrayed as a punishment more serious than death and shows the magnitude of his sorrow and shame after discovering the truth about his origins and past.

-Palace official tells the whole story of Jocasta’s suicide and Oedipus stabbing himself in the eyes -The images created by the palace official’s words describing the events are much more powerful, graphic than those that could have been created by actually acting the events out (plays ancient Greece would not have had the most spectacular special effects; acting out the events of Jocasta's suicide and Oedipus' eye stabbing would not have the same effect as violently describing them in words) - More thoroughly implants the moral of the story in the minds of audiences; makes the consequences of Oedipus' actions (running away from his destiny) seem much more severe
 * Palace Official **

-Palace official also helps the audience sympathize with Oedipus in sympathizing with Oedipus himself; says “[Oedipus’] strength is gone. He needs a helping hand.” (p.71), and that Oedipus is "a sight that turns all loathing into tears" (p.71)

Blindness – Oedipus blinds himself by sticking pins into his eyes
 * __ Motifs __**

**Imagery** – the image of Oedipus’ freshly wounded eyes gushing blood (“And all the while his eyeballs gushed in bloody dew upon his beard…no, not dew, no oozing drops-a spurt of black-ensanguined rain like hail beat down” (p.70)) helps to drive home the message of the play in graphically displaying the dire consequences of trying to escape one’s destiny **Repetition -** Oedipus repeats words often “Cry, cry, oh cry again!” (p.72), “Still friends and by my side! Still staying by the blindman! Your form eludes, your voice is near” (p.72), “It was Apollo, spirit of Apollo” (p.73) “Hurry me from here, hurry off the monster” (p.73)
 * __ Literary Features __**