Oedipus -Journal 1

Setting: This includes cultural as well as geographical and historical setting. What effect does the setting have on story, character, theme?

Oedipus takes place in the historic and religious lore of Ancient Greece. Sophocles, the playwright, lived in the fifth century BC and the events of the play supposedly took place well before his time. What I find interesting, historically, is the audience to which Sophocles writes. It is evident that he expected to only have the play performed in Greece (rather than surrounding countries such as Italy or Egypt across the Mediterranean)  due the enormous amount of references to their mythology and history without any introduction or exposition. This is important to note because it gives an honest account of the ancient Greek worldview and mindset, Sophocles was unrestricted in writing as he catered to an audience of people with an understanding of Greek culture and religion and thus presents an accurate depiction of their values through his writing. The play itself takes place in Thebes, and while Sophocles had no real choice in his depiction of the setting Thebes plays a major role in how characters, specifically Oedipus are viewed. Thebes was one of the major city-states of Greece and one of the more commonly known locations to the average Greek and Oedipus, through his kingship is elevated greatly in importance. This importance is one of the greatest factors in creating the tragedy that befalls Oedipus, Greek Tragedy relies on a fall from power or virtue which would only occur to a much lesser extent if Oedipus was a lord or leader of a smaller town/city. Mythologically Thebes also plays an important role, the average Greek citizen at the time would have a limited knowledge of the locations within Greece so the well known setting provides an anchor point to which individuals can view the play.