Zaylie Olsen

Theatre 1013
2-13-17

Oedipus Rex’s dramatic structure is interesting because of the sequence of events.

Everything is perfectly thematic in Sophocles’s arrangement of the entire play. Sophocles has

given us the entire backstory to Oedipus’ life in the matter of a day by having designed a subtle

yet technical flashback expose for this reason. To put it in simpler terms, the plot of the play was

made in such a way that the drama moves forward in action, but moves backwards in the expose.

Sophocles also used dramatic irony to his advantage throughout the entire play. The backward

movement of knowledge in the expose subsidizes the discovery and also shocks the audience.

Place and time were the classical norms of the unity time. Classical dramatists believed that a

long period of time in plays, would seem artificial and take away the life-likeness of the play.

This also means that the actions of the play couldn’t happen at a far distance from one another.

The unity of actions means the main parts of the dramatic structure are all related back to the

central theme of the play; which in this case would be the need and motivation to discover Laius’

murderer. In conclusion, the setup of the play leaves you with everything being perfect; there is

nothing irrational or loose left. There are reasons for the audience to get emotionally and

intellectually involved along with the poetic justice in the play.

Throughout the play I connected with Jocasta (Jocasta is the wife of Oedipus and Laius,

and is the sister to Creon), making her my favorite character because Jocasta played an

instantaneous victim of Oedipus’ fate after Oedipus himself. Jocasta had a disbelief in the oracle,

believing that whatever happens, will happen by contingency. Jocasta is a memorable character

because she is competent and intelligent but not impelled to explore as much as Oedipus. She has

her own view about what should and shouldn’t be known. Jocasta is the first to figure out the fate

of Oedipus and tries to convince him that revenge is not the answer. Driven by panic and grief

Jocasta end ups committing suicide by hanging herself. I believe that Jocasta’s character has a

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 Zaylie Olsen
Theatre 1013
2-13-17

cathartic release in the sense that she is giving release to her guilt by committing suicide.

Whether or not the audience will capture that is unsure.

My favorite text in the piece is from line four hundred and ninety nine, it quotes as

follows; “This day will bring your birth and your destruction” -Tiresias. This is my favorite

quote because Oedipus is known as a master of solving riddles; so Teiresias gives him his own

riddle to solve. Tiresias is is trying to provoke Oedipus. Tiresias is bluntly referring to Oedipus’

reversal of consequences. This relates to my theme by practically telling Oedipus that he is the

murderer of Laius, which is the central theme of the play. This quote foreshadows Oedipus’

origins, such as losing his sight, the curse that Oedipus placed on the murderer of Laius

unfolding on him, etc. I would want to speak this quote because it is an essential piece in

foreshadowing the sequence of events that will occur. This quote gives a sense of power, as if

you’re controlling the play; which makes it fun to speak. The tone of this quote is forbearing,

leaving a heavy weight on the audience.

When i hear this play, I picture an orchestra, with violins, trombones, cellos, and some

wind pieces. I would use them in certain areas; such as the suicide of Jocasta; I hear violins

playing a despondent composition to represent the sadness and guilt that she had. A burgeoning

composition to the climax of the play, with cellos, viola’s and other instruments to help the

audience get the sense that, that is a very climactic moment in the play.

The main set pieces of the play would be the pieces to the castle, such as the stairs and

the tall columns, even statues of the gods and goddesses. The color would stay true to the Greek

architectural palette of beige/white colors. This way the costumes would stick out against the

backdrop. The costuming of the play would coincide with the actual dress of the Greeks back in

500 B.C.. The lower class Grecians would wear togas or dresses with a neutral color palette and

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Theatre 1013
2-13-17

some accent pieces such as a red wrap over the shoulder. The higher class Grecians would have

worn togas or dresses with bright colors such as blues, and oranges to show their higher social

standing. Layering, is a big thing in Grecian times, so i picture layers on top of layers, not all in

the same place but, positioned on the body so that it gives volume to the right areas. As far as

makeup goes, the ensemble would wear masks that show sadness and sickness taking over their

town. Jocasta would have a simple beauty makeup until she hangs herself, then her makeup

becomes runny and smears down her face. Oedipus, has little to no makeup throughout the

majority of the play. When he gouges his eyes out, blood comes spewing down from his eye

sockets, The props would be small things, such as the brooch that Oedipus gouges his eyes out

with, a letter that the courier brings, etc. All in all the aesthetics of the play would stay fairly

classical with some modern day effects to add a little bit of pizazz.