2020 Modern Myth

Timothy Yao
11/27/19
Ms. Peterson
Post #32

Aim: How does the Introduction of Jocosta into the play add complexity and discord to the drama?

DN: In Greek mythology Laius, the father of Oedipus, raped the Greek hero Chrysippus, Laius and his family were punished by the Gods for this, what does the possibility that Jocosta could have known about this say about the role of women in Greek society?

The possibility that Jocosta may have known about Laius' crime and shared his punishment shows that women in Greek society were likely seen/expected to be relatively passive or loyal consorts to their male partners regardless circumstances.

Jocosta's introduction to the story starts with her telling off Oedipus for causing a scene during his meeting with Teiresias, showing that she is of equal standing with Oedipus, and attempting to console Oedipus on his insecurities after learning that Oedipus thinks that Jocosta's brother may be conspiring against him using Teiresias. Ironically, Jocosta's attempt to calm Oedipus only leads him to question and worry about things further since her story about a fate which apparently failed to happen, Laius' death by his own son, drew parrallels to Oedipus' experiences, who we know to be the killer.

Oedipus Complex: The desire for sexual involvement with the parent of opposite sex or competition with parent of same sex, said to be a part of psychological development, the inability to grow out of which is assumed to be the lack of parental guidance and compassion causing emotional trauma and confusion to the child who, unable to identify with the parent, turns to romantic fixations.

Reflection: Jocosta's introduction to the story adds discord and complexity as her interactions with Oedipus expand upon the background of the story while also advancing the plot as a result of ironic circumstances, in that Jocosta's claims that prophecies aren't guaranteed to come through using Laius' prophecy as evidence, causing Oedipus to investigate further into the matter as we, the audience, are aware of the truth.