Oedipus the King: Quote 3

Quote

I tell you the truth, you gave me life

my breath leapt up in you

and now you bring down night upon my eyes. (1348-1350)

Analysis

After Oedipus runs off the stage upon realizing his true identity, the chorus sings about their new impression of Oedipus. They chant that although they respected him and his past achievements, his unfortunate destiny has led him to be impure, and they can no longer perceive him the same way. The chorus demonstrates their respect by saying “you gave me life”, a reference to Oedipus freeing Thebes from the captivity caused by the Sphinx. Since this was such a great accomplishment they placed Oedipus on a metaphorical pedestal, where their breath had to leap up to him. Despite the extensive respect they had, the revelation of Oedipus’ true identity and the crimes he committed causes disgrace. The chorus saying “you bring down night upon my eyes” clearly demonstrates this new perception of Oedipus, as it draws a comparison between  “night”, which is closely associated with darkness and evil, and Oedipus. Furthermore by saying Oedipus “bring(s) down night upon (their) eyes” is significant because “night” to the eyes symbolizes an inability to see and is part of the reoccurring theme of blindness.

Reaction

"Day to the Night"

“Day to the Night”

“Day to the Night” reflects the message communicated and emotion evoked by the quote. On the left is the “life” Oedipus brings to Thebes. A sun, the source of life, is drawn in place of a jewel of a crown and the head’s tilt upward, reflects self-pride. The swirls and plants around the head, inspired by Ancient Greek pottery, are also representative of the life Oedipus brings. The people below are in positions of praise, thereby reflecting how the citizen’s “breath leapt up to” Oedipus. On the right side is the “night” of Oedipus. The moon replacing the sun of the left side and the stars surrounding the head creates a sense of night. The face is tilted downward to create the feeling of shame, and to create a more dramatic effect between the face and the citizens, who are in positions of fear and disgust. Separating the day and night is a bold line. The line does not continue through the heads, which demonstrates that between night and day Oedipus is the same person, and evokes the emotion that Oedipus does not deserve the shame he faces.

Citation

Sophocles. Oedipus the King. The Three Theban Plays. Trans. Robert Fagles. New York: Penguin Classics, 1984. Print.