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World Literature - Oedipus Rex Review: Identifying Quotes

Terms in this set (10)

"Our hearts are heavy with fear when we see our leader distracted as helpless sailors are terrified by the confusion of their helmsman" (Sophocles 877 - 878).
Jocasta fears that Oedipus is not himself because he has lost his soul within dread. Jocasta is saying this to Apollo. Literary devices shown here are personification, simile, and metaphor. The theme is fear.
"I who saw your days call no man blest - Your great days like ghosts gone" (Sophocles 1135 - 1136).
The common people are expressing their thoughts on the fall of their King Oedipus. The Chorus is saying this to Oedipus. Literary devices show here are simile and dramatic irony. The theme is sadness.
"No more shall you look on the misery about me. The horrors of my own doing! Too long you have known of those faces of those whom I should have never seen, too long been blind to those for whom I was searching! From this hour, go in darkness!" (Sophocles 1220 - 1225).
Oedipus speaks out about his feelings while seeing Jocasta's dead body. The Second Messenger is saying this to Choragos. Literary device shown here is irony. The theme is sadness.
"He struck at his eyes - not once, but many times; and the blood spattered his beard, bursting from his ruined sockets like red hail" (Sophocles 1226 - 1227).
Oedipus decides to blind himself as he has been fictionally blind towards the truth throughout the entire play. The Second Messenger is saying this to Choragos. Literary devices shown here are imagery and simile. The theme is violence.
"O three roads, dark ravine, woodland and way where the three roads met: you drinking my father's blood. My own blood, spilled by my own hand: can you remember the unspeakable things I did there, and the things I went on from there to do?" (Sophocles 1346 - 1351).
If Oedipus had not been born he would have not shed his fathers blood and the other terrible things he did from then on. Oedipus says this to Choragos. Literary device shown here is personification. The theme is regret.
Personification
the attribution of a personal nature or human characteristics to something nonhuman, or the representation of an abstract quality in human form.
Simile
a figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind, used to make a description more emphatic or vivid (e.g., as brave as a lion, crazy like a fox ).
Metaphor
a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable.
dramatic irony/irony
the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect.
Imagery
visually descriptive or figurative language, especially in a literary work.
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