Oedipus Rex: metaphysics and the fundamental human struggle

Rowan University
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Theses and Dissertations 6-8-2006
Oedipus Rex: metaphysics and the fundamental human struggle
Joseph Mack Lorenzo Rowan University
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OEDIPUS REX: METAPHYSICS AND THE FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN STRUGGLE
by Joseph Mack Lorenzo, M. Div.

A Thesis
Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Master of Arts in Theatre and Dance Degree of The Graduate School at Rowan University 11 May 2006

Approved by

Phillip A. Graneto, VFA

Date Approved @2006 Joseph Mack Lorenzo

ABSTRACT
Joseph Mack Lorenzo, M. Div. OEDIPUS REX:
METAPHYSICS AND THE FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN STRUGGLE 2005/2006
Phillip A. Graneto, MFA, Graduate Program Advisor Master of Arts in Theatre and Dance
The fundamental human struggle is a spiritual struggle demonstrated by a
metaphysical analysis of the drama Oedipus Rex. Drama presents a mimesis of human
action and dramatic plots are comprised of these physical actions. This fundamental
dramatic action consists of the embodied action of the human being (i.e., substance), comprised of body and soul (i.e., matter and form). Through these embodied actions Aristotelian metaphysical first principles become tangible for the audience. This
metaphysical reality is both fundamental to the human being and universal to the human experience. Therefore the fundamental human struggle is a spiritual struggle,
viz., the exercise of virtue and rejection of vice.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT .....................................

......

.2

CHAPTER ONE: PURPOSE, METHODOLOGY AND LITERATURE

1

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE ......................

METHODOLOGY ............................

2

SURVEY OF LITERATURE ......................

3

GENERAL BACKGROUND LITERATURE . ...........

.

3

LITERATURE REFERENCED FOR THIS STUDY . ........

5

SYNOPSIS OF OEDIPUSREX ....................

8

THE MYTH OF OEDIPUSREX ....................

8

IMPORT OF OEDIPUSREX .......................

9

CHAPTER TWO: OEDIPUS REX, DETERMINISM ............

VICTIM

....... OF FATE?

11 11

FATE OR MANIFEST DESTINY . . . . . .

17

DIVINE PROVIDENCE ........

.......

20

CHAPTER THREE: OEDIPUS' CHOICES ......................

24

iii

PROLOGUE ...................

...................

25

OEDIPUS SENDS CREON TO THE ORACLE . ................

25

OEDIPUS REVEALS THE ORACLE TO THE POPULACE . .........

. 26

OEDIPUS REOPENS THE INVESTIGATION OF LAIUS' DEATH .......

27

EPISODE 1 ..................

.....................

28

OEDIPUS CURSES THE MURDERER . . . . . . . . ........

.. . . 28

OEDIPUS RIDICULES TIRESIAS . .................

EPISODE 2 . ..................

..................

.....

29

30

OEDIPUS ACCUSES CREON OF TREASON AND CONSPIRACY .......

30

OEDIPUS UNBURDENS HIMSELF TO JOCASTA . ..............

30

OEDIPUS AND JOCASTA SEND FOR THE SHEPHERD . ........

. . 31

EPISODE 3 .... ...............

..................

31

MESSENGER FROM CORINTH ARRIVES IN THEBES . ...........

31

OEDIPUS' PERSEVERANCE SENDS JOCASTA INTO SUICIDAL HYSTERIA 32

EPISODE 4 . ..................

.... . .............

. 33

OEDIPUS QUESTIONS, THREATENS, THEN TORTURES THE SHEPHERD . 33

EXODOS ............

. ..................

. . . . . . . . .. 34

JOCASTA COMMITS SUICIDE THEN OEDIPUS BLINDS HIMSELF .....

34

CHAPTER FOUR: METAPHYSICS AND CHOICE .... . . . . . . .... ... .. 37

METAPHYSICAL REALITY ..........................

37

METAPHYSICS: A DEFINITION ..................

.....

37

iv

METAPHYSICS AND OEDIPUSREX ...................

... 39

ONTOLOGY .......................................

40

METAPHYSICS AND THE FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN EXPERIENCE. 44

METAPHYSICS: HUMAN CHOICES AND THE SOUL ..........

44

CHAPTER FIVE: VIRTUES AND VICES ........................

51

HAPPINESS FOUND IN VIRTUE ........................

51

ARISTOTELIAN DIFFERENTIATION OF VIRTUES ............

52

INTELLECTUAL VIRTUES ............................

52

MORAL VIRTUES ..................................

55

VIRTUE OF COURAGE . ..................

...........

.. 58

VIRTUE OF TEMPERANCE .............................

61

VIRTUE OF PROPER PRIDE ............

................

64

VIRTUE OF GOOD-TEMPER ...................

.........

66

PASSION OF SHAME ...................

............

67

CHAPTER SIX: VIRTUE OF JUSTICE ..................

.......

70

JUSTICE: THE MOST COMPLETE VIRTUE ..... . . . . . . . . . ... 70

RULER AS EXEMPLAR FOR THE POLITY .......

. ........

72

NECESSITY OF VIRTUE FOR THE POLITY .................

75

CHAPTER SEVEN: CONCLUDING WITH CHARACTER .............

78

DISTINGUISHING THE VIRTUOUS FROM THE VICIOUS ........

78

CONCLUSION .....................................

83

LIST OF WORKS CITED ...................................

86

APPENDIX: THE DRAMATIC ACTION OF OEDIPUSREX ............

90

vi

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1 MORAL VIRTUES AND VICES ........................

57

Table 2 PASSIONS OF SHAME AND PAINS/PLEASURES AT OTHERS'

MISFORTUNE .. .... ..............................

58

vii

CHAPTER ONE: PURPOSE, METHODOLOGY AND LITERATURE
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE The purpose of this thesis is to demonstrate the metaphysical realities made
tangible through mimesis of human actions in drama. The physical representation of human actions, as dramatized in Sophocles' Oedipus Rex, presents the quiddities (i.e., the substance and qualities) of Oedipus' rashness, intemperance and injustice. This dramatic reenactment reveals the fundamental, intangible first principles which, although spiritual, constitute the human struggle. These same fundamental, intangible first principles give human actions their meaning.
Oedipus Rex is an allegory about maintaining the stability of civilization. King Laius, his wife Jocasta and their son Oedipus are archetypes of civilization. Laius is an archetype of government. His choices result in its downfall. Jocasta is an archetype of family. Her choices result in its destruction. Oedipus is an archetype of civilization itself. He is the cause and effect of what civilization has wrought through his parents' choices, viz., blindness to his faults.
Metaphysical reality is both fundamental to the human being and universal to the human experience. Therefore the fundamental human struggle is a spiritual struggle, viz., the exercise of virtue and rejection of vice. This thesis will develop this concept using a fundamental play of Western drama, viz., Sophocles' Oedipus Rex.

METHODOLOGY - Chapter One covers the Statement of Purpose, the Methodology, a brief
synopsis of the play and the importance of Oedipus Rex. - Chapter Two discusses the issue of fate or freewill and whether Oedipus is in
fact a victim. This chapter reviews the arguments of determinism, divine providence and freewill. - Chapter Three examines Oedipus' choices using Aristotelian principles, and reviews Oedipus' actions as presented in the play thereby determining if there is another, ethereal level behind the actions observed. - Chapter Four discusses this ethereal reality, specifically treating the metaphysical reality of being in Oedipus Rex and the metaphysical process by which he chooses. - Chapter Five is a detailed explanation of the metaphysical truths behind human actions, particularly identifying Oedipus' actions with virtues and vices. - Chapter Six treats the virtue of Justice. It explains how Oedipus' violation of this most complete virtue resulted in the tragic events of the play. - Chapter Seven follows from the previous chapter because it discusses character. Character is a consequence of the sum total of choices made throughout life. Character is why Oedipus' was not virtuous. This thesis concludes that the play Oedipus Rex demonstrates the fundamental human struggle is a spiritual struggle.
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