In Oedipus Rex, Sophocles gives us the beginning of the Oedipus myth and with it a drama that Aristotle hailed as the best of the Greek tragedies. Dcn. Harrison Garlick is joined by Mr. Eli Stone and our friend Josiah to discuss Oedipus the King (Oedipus Rex) by Sophocles - the second play in the Oedipus cycle or Theban plays.
Resources to read Oedipus Rex well:
Be sure to read Antigone first, following the order in which Sophocles wrote
Check out the podcast conversation on Oedipus Rex
Check out the video discussion (below)
Oedipus Rex is a short work but one that is brilliant. Even if you know the ending, Sophocles is able to draw you into the story and the slow, horrific revelation of King Oedipus.
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Introduction
Oedipus the King is, according to Aristotle, the best of the Greek tragedies. Through Oedipus’ own investigation, he comes to understand the horrific truth of his identity—and this leads the reader into marvelous reflection on fate, freedom, self-knowledge, and the cosmic order.
Oedipus the King is a play I had to come to appreciate. Unlike Antigone, it is not one I loved at first. In fact, my lackluster appreciation for the play is why I scheduled only one episode discussing it. Over time, however, I matured in my own understanding and see it as an antecedent to the philosophical principle of know thyself. I would suggest one could glean much from comparing Oedipus the King and First Alcibiades by Plato.
The drama does have layers for the attentive reader. It presents clearly a question on the interplay of freedom and fate, which is reminiscent of our discussions on the Iliad. Moreover, there is much to consider on the theme of suffering, and how that theme is presented in the Odyssey, the Oresteia, and Oedipus the King. Note that these two concepts are tethered—as the journey to self-knowledge is often an arduous one of suffering and great difficulty. Lastly, the work shines further light onto the mystery that is Antigone.
Oedipus the King is without question a tragedy—and one without much hope. The reader must hold for the marvelous redemptive arc of Oedipus at Colonus, which runs parallel to the story of Job yet with its own unique and fascinating character.
May Oedipus serve as an icon for what it means to suffer into self-knowledge and the role of such suffering in the pursuit of wisdom and virtue.
In Christ,
Dcn. Garlick
Video Discussion on Oedipus the King
Good work! The next step in your great books journey is reading the final play in the Oedipus cycle, Oedipus at Colonus. It is an incredible story of redemption that takes place prior to Antigone, but since it is the last play Sophocles wrote, his ideas on suffering and redemption have greatly matured. It is a narrative akin to Job. It is well worth your time.
Dcn. Harrison Garlick lives in rural Oklahoma with his wife and five children. He serves as a deacon at Holy Family Cathedral and as Chancellor & General Counsel for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tulsa. Follow him on X at Dcn. Garlick or Ascend.