Oedipus: Aristotelian or Formalist Theory Essay

Teiresiass speech at the end of scene one of Sophocles evasive action Oedipus Rex is fairly short but it is in this encounter between Oedipus and Teiresias w here the main conflict of the story begins to unfold. This is a pivotal speech in the play as it helps to develop some of the major roots in the play as well as begin to build up the tragic irony at the plaza of the story. When this speech is analyzed using either Aristotelian or Formalist theory key elements can be found that be effective in increase the drama in the play and in tying together one of the plays central theme.In the Poetics Aristotle out get outs his vision of a successful calamity and states that spot and character are the first two principle features of tragedy. Teiresiass last speech helps to develop both of these key components of tragedy in Oedipus Rex successfully. During his converse with the big businessman Teiresias introduces the first source of conflict into the play as Oedipus tries to convin ce the old man to reveal what he knows about Laioss murder.Aristotle termed this moment of the plot the desis which in modern literary terms is known as the complication which serves to build up the drama of a story towards the climax, and Teiresiass speech here achieves that purpose. There is also an effective use of foreshadowing in Teiresiass speech in which he reveals to the auditory modality the twist of fate that Oedipus will mystify even though the king at this point is unaware of Teiresiass true meaning.The reversal of fortune and recognition contained in Oedipus Rex are praised by Aristotle as being characteristics of an ideal plot and the foreshadowing found in Teiresiass speech help to build up the anticipation towards the revelation of Oedipuss identity. In the perfect tragedy Aristotle stated that character should support the plot and Teiresiass concluding speech was indirectly very effective in building Oedipuss character.Until his meeting with Teiresias Oedipus was seen a considerate king looking out for the interest of his people in trying to discover Laioss orca. In his conversation with Teiresias the audience gets its first glimpse of Oedipuss anger and can begin to see him as capable of being the murderer they are searching for. Teiresiass final speech also reveals to the audience Oedipuss tragic flaw of not knowing who he truly is, which will eventually be his downfall.In reveal Oedipuss genuine ignorance to his true identity through this speech the audience feels more pity for the king when the revelation occurs and this heightens the tragedy of the play. From a Formalist theory eyeshot of Teiresiass speech two literary devices are used that effectively increase the drama of the play and tie in a central theme and those are signism and tone. Symbolism in Teiresiass speech begins to build the tragic irony of the play and to establish one of the themes of the play of sight versus knowledge.Teiresias describes the killer as a blind man , Who has his eyes now, but he is also referring to Oedipuss inability to see the truth (Sophocles 720). Teiresias himself is a powerful symbol as well in the play as he is blind but he can see the truth of better than Oedipus despite the kings attempts to discover the truth so vigorously. In the end of the play when Oedipus blinds himself upon finally learning the truth he completes the imagery that was begun in Teiresiass final speech.The tone of Teiresiass speech is ominous and foreboding and it serves to change the tone of the entire play. At this point the audience is becoming aware that things will not end well for Oedipus and his valiant quest to find Laioss killer is going to result in dire consequences. The graphic imagery in the line Who came to his fathers bed, wet with his fathers blood helped establish this ominous tone that serves to build the tension through the rest of the play (Sophocles 720). later on his encounter with Teiresias Oedipus becomes increasing confront ational with other characters in the play and the tone set by Teiresiass speech helps to establish much of that conflict. Sophocles Oedipus Rex is such a well-rounded piece of literature that regardless of what literary approach is used to analyze it the play will provide an endless vehicle for discovery. There are so many complex images, themes, and symbols weaved together that it is an ideal story to study.