Oedipus the King: Quote 4

Quote

Dark, horror of darkness

my darkness, drowning, swirling around me

crashing wave on wave – unspeakable, irresistible

headwind, fatal harbor! (1450-1453)

Analysis

In this excerpt Oedipus describes the agony he is experiencing to the chorus. He begins by branding his misery as darkness. Since the association of evil with darkness is a reoccurring connection made in the play, Oedipus’ use of “darkness / my darkness” helps create understanding that Oedipus considers himself evil. Oedipus continues to describe his misery to be “swirling around” him and “crashing wave on wave” creating the imagery of being in a storm. The imagery Oedipus creates has two effects. Firstly it demonstrates his lack of control over his fate. Secondly the wave imagery specifically communicates the multi-layering of his misfortune. Not only has Oedipus committed two crimes, incest and patricide, but the shame Oedipus has extends to multiple people, including all his children. The most notable analogy used by Oedipus is comparing the situation to being tossed towards a “fatal” shore. Oedipus’ analogy is effective in demonstrating his suffering and failure to serve Thebes because it alludes to an earlier plea made by the chorus when they say, “you who set our beloved land – storm-tosses, shattered – / straight on course. Now again, good helmsman, / steer us through the storm!”(765-767). Oedipus inability to be a “good helmsman” and captain the ship “through the storm” generated an understanding that Oedipus is no longer an effective leader.

Reaction

Map of Ancient Greece

The imagery of the sea allowed me to consider the importance of the sea to the Ancient Greeks. Since Ancient Greece, as displayed in the map, had many islands within the Aegean Sea, and was collection of city-states separated by mountainous terrain, communication over land was difficult making naval communication more prominent. As a result, a captain with the ability to navigate the seas was highly respected. This idea is reinforced by the play because Oedipus, a king, is compared to a master “helmsman”. The play and specifically this quote also creates and understanding that the seas were considered dangerous and were feared. Oedipus’ choice to use drowning in a storm as his analogy demonstrates that death on the seas was a terrifying ending that all can relate to.

Citation

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