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There is perhaps no name more familiar to the Western world than Oedipus. For more than 2500 years, the myth of the man who solved the riddle of the Great Sphinx has been told and presented in numerous theatrical settings in countries around the world. The power of this great tragedy has transcended its origins and has impacted the world in ways too numerous to mention. Sophocles Oedipus the King was first performed in 429 BCE as part of the great City Dionysia, the annual Athenian theatre festival. Aeschylus Sophocles and Euripides were the most celebrated and honored ancient Greek playwrights (5th century BCE). Each playwright was responsible for innovating the theatre in substantial ways, either in form or content. Sophocles was credited for adding the “third” actor and diminishing the size and importance of the chorus. This addition paved the way for the development of the western theatre as we know it today.
The myth of Oedipus is familiar to many. Upon his birth to King Laios and Queen Jocasta of Thebes an Oracle prophesies that Oedipus will someday kill is father and marry (and sire children with) his mother. The king and queen, hoping to avoid such a terrifying fate, send Oedipus away with a servant to be killed. The servant of course cannot bear to do such a thing and abandons Oedipus in a field to let the gods decide his fate. A Shepherd from a neighboring kingdom (Corinth) finds him and takes him to the childless king and queen where he is raised as their son. When he is older, he hears of the oracles’ prophesy that he will kill his father and marry his mother. In a desire to avoid this terrible fate he leaves Corinth. On the road to Thebes he meets Laios and after an argument about the right of way, Oedipus kills Laios (not knowing of course that this is his real father). He makes his way to Thebes which is under the curse of the Sphinx. Oedipus solves the riddle of the Sphinx and frees the city from the plague. They reward him with the kingship and he marries Jocasta and they have children, thus fulfilling his fate as ordained by the oracle. All of this happens before the play begins. At the rise of the play there is again a terrible plague decimating the people of Thebes. Oedipus sends his brother Creon to the Oracle to find out how to save the kingdom. Creon returns to tell Oedipus that the murderer of King Laios is still in the kingdom and has not been brought to justice (which of course is Oedipus himself). The remainder of the play reveals the truth and results in tragic consequences for all.
Scholars as well as theatre artists have debated Oedipus the King for centuries. How can Oedipus be a tragic hero if his fate was determined by “the gods”? As the play begins the Oracles prophecy has already come true. It would seem that Oedipus had no choice and therefore should remain guiltless. It is throughout the course of the play itself where we begin to see Oedipus’ real “free will” choices. He chooses to seek the truth. He actively seeks out the answers mostly because of his love and compassion for the people of Thebes. He wants nothing more than to relieve the city from its suffering. As the truth begins to be revealed, it becomes almost unbearable to think of and Oedipus refuses to admit that he himself is the cause for the destruction at hand. Oedipus and Jocasta cannot bring themselves to believe what is revealed before them. Oedipus continues to press forward and the truth is revealed and he (and his entire family) is doomed.
The CBT production of Oedipus the King opens February 4 and runs through the 21st in the Carousel Theatre. The “new” translation is by renowned Greek scholar and actor Nicolas Rudall who states: “the translations in this series are meant primarily for the stage. Their premise is that the words should be immediate and speakable by American actors. Our admittedly precise task is to make the words immediately accessible. Our aim is to make these ancient words speak in a voice that resonates with ours.” Under the skillful direction of John Sipes, along with a superb cast of resident and guest artists, this production of Oedipus The King is sure to be a bold and riveting version of one of the greatest tragedies of all time. For ticket information call 974-5161 or visit our website at www.clarencebrowntheatre.com.
The University of Tennessee | College of Arts & Sciences | UTK Theatre Department | Knoxville, Tennessee 37996 | 865-974-5161
