Sophocles effectively incorporates imagery into Oedipus, providing the story with descriptive text and sensory details that makes the plot rather enticing and intriguing. Instead of simply stating situations as they happen, he adds spice to the format of his writing with the use of appropriate sensory details. To enlighten the scene where Oedipus hears through the prophecy that he is the killer of his father, Sophocles implements vivid writing. Oedipus says to Teiresias “you are blind in mind and ears as well as in your eyes” (429-30). He then goes to say “Great store of jealousy fill your treasury chests”, making reference to his belief that Creon and Teiresias are attempting to dethrone him (445). This serves as a prime example of where Sophocles includes sight imagery in Oedipus.
Not only is the sense of sight a vital piece to the story’s puzzle, but the senses of touch and sound also play significant roles. Using a blend of the senses of sight, sound, and touch, Sophocles creates a surreal feeling to make the situations much more interesting. From the beginning of the story, it is apparent the text encompasses scenic wording. In the beginning, Oedipus states “the town is heavy with a mingled burden of sounds and smells, of groans and hymns and incense…”, painting a picture that makes readers want to continue reading (2-4). The way Sophocles depicts the town places the audience in a precise figment of Thebes, forging a subliminal relationship between themselves and the setting of the story.
In the political cartoon below, President Obama receives a prophecy for his future and discovers his future is not bright. Thus, he portrays a long, disgusted facial appearance. Much like this cartoon, the news Oedipus hears from Teiresias does not please him, and he gets angry.
The imagery Sophocles incorporates into Oedipus is very effective at holding the audience’s attention and “enlighten[s] the scene.” Not only those reading the play are fascinated, but while the play was still preformed, the imagery captivated viewers in the theatron. Since there was limited technology and props at the time, the Greeks were forced to incorporate a lot of stage direction and images into their dialogue. The use of imagery makes the scenes clearer for readers now and comprehendible for viewers in the theatron back then.
ReplyDeleteThe imagery that is involved in Oedipus really allows the audience to see the story as if it were happening right in from of them. The elaborate style that Sophocles uses can show the audience how dramatic the events were through the descriptive details given by the playwright. The audience has a better sense of what may have been what really happened, if the events really happened.
ReplyDeleteThe imagery that is used in the story evinces the plot of the play. The readers are able to see every scene as it unfolds. In addition, the wide array of imagery displayed in the poem gives readers an opportunity to formulate their opinion on what may have occurred.
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