Blog 34

Benjamin Zhu

12/3/19

Ms.Peterson

Post #34

Took pop quiz first 

Aim: How does Oedipus self mutilation highlight the tragedy of metaphorical blindness?

Pair share- Who is truly at fault for the fall of the house of Oedipus? 

In my opinion, it’s fate’s fault because regardless of what other characters do, they can’t escape fate so it’s bound to happen. All of the characters actions were a result of the fate that they were bound to. 

Violence in Ancient Greece-displaying acts of violence on stage in Ancient Greece was considered profane, crude, and gauche. Instead of showing any violence, characters would often act as messengers sharing the shocking story. As you can see from Oedipus Rex, the second messenger runs in to inform the chorus the Oedipus has gouged out his own eyes and Jocasta hanged himself. 

The killing or murdering of a character is never shown on stage because it was rude to the characters and audience.

Why is irony so often utilized in literature and film? Why do we, as an audience appreciate irony?

It adds humor to the plot because people will get attracted to it. It also adds layers to the actions of each character as well as a humorous feeling to them. We appreciate irony because it helps us to relate directly to the characters and it brings many uses so we can better understand the characters. 

APPEAL OF OEDIPUS-Dr. Eva Cybulska, Psychiatrist Perhaps the appeal of Oedipus lies in his uncompromising search for identity-a search for the essence of what it is to be human in all its 'existential aloneness'. human condition is inherently tragic and paradoxical, and it is knowledge which makes it so. Silenus, tutor and companion, to the god Dionysus is quoted as saying that "life is freest of pain when it is accompanied by ignorance of its own suffering." Sophocles echoed this wisdom in these lines spoken by the Chorus in Oedipus Rex: "Ignorance made you happy.The truth has made you blind. Oedipus Rex is a tragedy of knowledge, vision and blindness: truth is trapped in illusion, and in the disturbances of language and emotion. Overwhelming pride, but anger and fear, blinds reason. Initially, Oedipus is blind not only regarding his identity, but also the identity of those he loves. Later, fear blinds him to the illogical basis of his conclusions. And yet, as he loses his physical sight, his insight awakens. This is the most crucial and poignant moment of dramatic reversal (peripeteia). It shows how we allow our spirituality and compassionate humanity to shine forth only after abandoning the concreteness of our existence and our attachment to our possessions (including power). Oedipus is a man true to himself, who by destroying his well-being creates his own fate and becomes who he is Finally, he offers himself as a sacrifice to Thebes, the city which has revered him wise ruler, and the city he truly loves

Blindness and Irony

The greatest appeal of irony is a reminder that the only thing we know for certain is that we don’t know anything for certain. Physical blindness teaches us not to completely trust what we think we know. 

These ignorance, represent what we don’t know or what we did not experience. Ignorance is bliss. That’s why physical blindness teach trust us to not trust what we don’t know like a child and fire. 

Reflection:

The purpose of today’s lesson is to talk about the physical and metaphoric aspects of blindness and how it lead to the downfall of Oedipus. Oedipus was blind in the sense that he was completely unaware of the events and prophecy going around him which caused him to be naive and ignorant. Furthermore, we also talked about irony and how it’s ironic that ignorance is bliss. The only thing that we know for certain is that we don’t know anything with 100% certainty.