Oedipus Rex

As the plot in Sophocles famous play Oedipus Rex unfolds, numerous aspects of the relationship between ancient Greeks and their gods are revealed. It demonstrates that the people could counter upon the gods in times of distress, how the gods could cause widespread disasters if a nation displeased them, how arrogance and ignorance of the gods powers would lead to disaster, and most cardinally, how the gods were believed to control the single(a) destinies of each and every one of their mortal subjects. It is also important to note that what Sophocles implies about morality applies more within adult male relationships than it does in a religious context. In the first characterisation of the play, it is very apparent that the city of Thebes is experiencing rough times. Oedipus, the citys ruler, leaves his castle and sees the priests and citizens troubled about the plague that has ravaged their community. It is obvious that many a(prenominal) of them are appealing to the gods for mercy and help. They are carrying branches that have been cover with wool, a customary gift for the gods. The ancient Greeks believed the gods could be persuaded to instigate with a cause through gifts and prayer. They also thought epidemics and disasters to be caused directly by displeased divine forces.

One priest says, A beau ideal that carries fire, a deadly pestilence, is on our town, strikes us and spares not. In lines 168 ? 215, the chorus describes, in great detail, the suffering of the people. They offer for relief. They say such things as, From these our sufferings grant us, O golden young lady of Zeus? grant that [the savage God who burns us] work in racing course backwards out of our res publicas bounds? smite the War God, Father Zeus? for the God that is our enemy is a God unhonoured among the Gods. It is clear from these lines that ancient Greeks held a belief that deities controlled everyday life in a direct, major(ip) way, but in all their power were not unreachable. disregarding of how significant the will... If you want to get a full essay, club it on our website: Orderessay

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