Modern Mythology 2020

Victoria Pimenta Reyes
11/26/19
Ms. Peterson
Post #31

Aim: How does the paradox of blindness illuminate the Oedipus' tragic flaw of hubris

DN: Complete group work from yesterday
Irony Trumps Everything
Create a chart of irony in Oedipus
Oedipus saves Thebes from a plage by solving Sphinx's riddle -> He freed Thebes from a plague but he became the plague
Oedipus curses the murderer of Laius -> He is the murderer of Laius
Teiresias is blind -> but he sees the truth

Pair Share: Choose

1. All truths, whether they hurt, destroy, unveil, or enlighten must be discovered
2. Truth is a commodity which should be careful and tactful, used only when beneficial
3. Write your own

I agree with option 2 because ignorance can be bliss. There's no need to unnecessarily expose things that don't need to be. Some lies can benefit both people, like complimenting a bad haircut. 

It sounds like a politician. 

There's a time and a place for truth because it can be offensive and tactless. 

People said option 1 because the truth should always be told. 

Option 3 some truths should be avoided if they benefit no one.

How do the characters fall into these options?
Oedipus falls into Option 1 because he wants to find out what Teiresias has to say, no matter the possible consequences
Teiresias falls into Option 2 because he believes Oedipus shouldn't know who the murderer is because it will make Oedipus and his family suffer

Paradox (n): A statement or proposition despite sound (or apparent reasoning from acceptable premises, leads to a conclusion that seems senses, logically unacceptable, or self-contradictory

Discussion: Why is it significant the play begins w a question?
The question is "Children, young sons and daughters of Cadmus, why do you sit here with your suppliant crowns?", asked by Oedipus
This is significant because it sets the tone of the play

Read Aloud pg 122- 131
Oedipus argues with Teiresias to tell him more about the murderer, but Teiresias refuses. When Teiresias gives in, revealing Oedipus is the murderer. Oedipus gets offended and threatens Teiresias for disrespecting the king, accusing him of treason. He believes that Creon, his brother in law, was conspiring with Teiresias to steal the throne. As he leaves, Teiresias reveals Oedipus is in an incestuous relationship with his own mother.

Pair Share 

• What initial signs of rashness do we see in Oedipus?
• Why does Teiresias argue so hard against telling Oedipus anything
• What does this illustrate about his character?

Reflection:
The purpose of today's lesson was to examine the use of irony and paradox in Oedipus Rex, as well as begin to characterize Oedipus and Teiresias. It's ironic that Teiresias is the blind prophet, yet it is Oedipus who refuses to see the truth. In this tragedy, there are both literal and figurative cases of blindness. Oedipus is blind to the truth that Teiresias tells him because he is too prideful to accept that he is bringing plague to Thebes and that he killed the honorable King Laius, and instead turns his anger to Teiresias.