Classical Studies 2200 Lecture Notes - Lecture 17: Polynices, Laius, Greek Hero Cult
24 Aug 2016
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Week 17: oedipus reason, fate, and tragedy. Incest with mother: crime against time, confusion of cause/effect: parricide: obliteration of origin. Human drive to know about himself conflicts with his horror of the truth. He is the answer to all his questions. Philosophers strive to understand the truth of the world and the nature of knowledge and its limitations. In platos" dialogues socrates (early hero of philosophy) challenged his truths. The place that athens wants to distance itself from. Among 7 surviving plays are three concering the house of laius: antigone (441 bc, oedipus the king (428 bc, oedipus at colonus (401 bc) Exposure at birth (speaking name: compare cycle to theogony. Comes of age away from home: thebes to corinth. Destroys monster (sphinx: causing blight in thebes, intellect over horrific. Marries queen and rules as king: displacing his father. Oikos is destroyed; health of polis restored. God of order, healing, purification, and prophecy.
