Scene analysis
16 years ago
Monday, April 27, 2009
Oedipus Journal 3
Sophocles establishes gender roles that contrast the typical man and the typical woman. With the confrontation between Oedipus and Jocasta, he shows how women should take a less involved role in a relationship. Oedipus is shown as the one who is interogating Jocasta, while Jocasta obeys him and answers all his questions while he also tries figuring out what happened. Sophocles most likely intends for Jocasta to be an example of the ideal greek woman, obeying their husbands and telling the truth. When both genders speak to each other, it seems to be very to the point and full of facts, showing how there must be a level of trust and honesty between both genders. Oedipus' actions seem to be frowned upon by sophocles because he seems to be portraying Oedipus in a negative light because of his bad judgement in killing Laius and his quick tempered thinking. Creon, on the other hand, seems to be the ideal greek man because he listens to rational thinking and believes in the strength of words rather than the strenght of actions.
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While I agree with most of your ideas, I differ slightly in the interpretation of Jocasta. She seems like a strong woman, able to get Oedipus to start thinking about what has been said instead of his raging towards Creon and Tiresias.
ReplyDeleteAlso, she doesn't instantly side with either her brother or her husband, showing that she thinks independently and is careful to consider an issue before forming an opinion.
i understand what you mean, but i got the feeling that Jocasta was a more empowered woman. she was confedent in her speech, and even questiond Oedipus's thinking on some occasions. she is subservient in a sense that she cares alot about Oedipus, but other than that i feel she is empowered. i do agree on your interpretation of the ideal greek man 100% though, creon seems to be the more relatable charicter for men in general which makes him seem more ideal.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with the postition of Jocasta. It seems as though she is the ideal greek woman and is submissive to her husband but I also think she has a bit of power to her too over her husband which would be really intersting to go into since you already have the basis.
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