Oedipus’ Edict and Curse (Sophocles’ Oedipus Tyrannus, 236–243)

Affiliation:
Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration
A.M. Gorky Institute of World Literature, Russian Academy of Sciences
National Research University Higher School of Economics
Address: Russian Federation, Moscow

Journal name

Vestnik drevnei istorii

Edition

Volume 81 Issue 2

Pages

316-330

Abstract

The article deals with the problem of the addressee of Oedipus’ curse in Sophocles’ Oedipus Tyrannus 236–243. It is suggested that the curse is directed both against the murderer of Laius and against all potential informants who are concealing the murderer’s name. The ambivalence, or rather the incongruity, of Sophocles’ text is explained by the double rhetorical aim of Oedipus’ monologue: it is at once an edict demanding to reveal the identity of the murderer and a curse against the murderer himself. The double rhetorical function of the monologue derives from its double dramatic role. On the one hand, it begins the action of the play, which consists in revealing the murderer’s identity, and on the other hand, the curse acts as the play’s leitmotif: it is cited throughout the tragedy and determines Oedipus’ future fate.

Keywords

tragedy, Sophocles, Oedipus, edict, curse, murderer

Acknowledgment

Russian Foundation for Basic Research, project no. 20-59-14002 АНФ_а

Publication date

28.06.2021

Number of characters

38144

Cite

GOST	Nikolsky B. Oedipus’ Edict and Curse (Sophocles’ Oedipus Tyrannus, 236–243) // Vestnik drevnei istorii – 2021. – V. 81. – Issue 2 C. 316-330 [Electronic resource]. URL: http://ras.jes.su/vdi/s032103910014828-3-1-en (circulation date: 18.04.2024). DOI: 10.31857/S032103910014828-3
MLA	Nikolsky, Boris "Oedipus’ Edict and Curse (Sophocles’ Oedipus Tyrannus, 236–243)." Vestnik drevnei istorii 81.2 (2021):316-330. DOI: 10.31857/S032103910014828-3
APA	Nikolsky B. (2021). Oedipus’ Edict and Curse (Sophocles’ Oedipus Tyrannus, 236–243). Vestnik drevnei istorii 81(2), pp.316-330 DOI: 10.31857/S032103910014828-3

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