Tragedy Oedipus in Colon by Aristotle - Literature review Example

The Academia Research …………………. April 27,2009. Oedipus at Colonus as an Aristotelian tragedy Aristotle, the greatest genius of all time wrote prolifically on all topics including theory of literature. In his famous book “Poetics”, he enumerates certain principles on which a good play should be modeled. He has touched the topic quite scientifically and on the basis of his study of Greek masters (Sophocles, Aeschylus, and Euripides) framed his own vision of tragic drama. His criterion for a tragedy is summed up in his succinct statement in Poetics: There are therefore necessarily six elements in every tragedy, which give it its quality;and they are the Fable, Character, Language, Thought, the Mise en Scene, and Melody.(Potts 27) In the light of this statement we can deduce following main features of a tragic drama: 1: Plot (Fable) 2: Character 3: Diction or language 4: Thought 5: Song or melody and spectacle We can add another from the definition of tragedy which suggests that the end of tragedy is to arouse the feelings of pity and fear and “effecting the purgation of these emotions”. 6: Catharsis or purgation (Potts 24) Viewed in the light of this model, Oedipus at Colonus seems to be a weak candidate for a perfect tragedy as it lacks that kind of adherence to Aristotle’s definition which we find in Oedipus the king. Oedipus at Colonus is the part of trilogy composed by Sophocles. The Greek writer shows the height of his craft in Oedipus the King which is oft quoted by Aristotle in his Poetics as an example of a good play. But Oedipus at Colonus is somewhat weaker part of the trilogy depicting only the suffering and sad plight of the blind old Oedipus. The tragic conflict is subdued in this play. The character of the protagonist is not as strong as it was in Oedipus the king. Here he is presented as a blind old soul at the mercy of different people for his existence. “ OEDIPUS, the blind and banished King of Thebes, has come in his wanderings to Colonus, a deme of Athens, led by his daughter ANTIGONE”. (Scene 1). The apparent state of Oedipus arouses the feelings of pity in the people. He lacks the grandeur of tragic hero which is the hallmark of Greek tragedies where heroes are stalwart characters always grappling with destiny to assert their self. This “long suffering father” is quite unlike other tragic heroes who show a great strength of character and through their valiant speeches create a feeling of awe in the minds of audience. The first impression of Oedipus is not that of a tragic hero. A thrall to sorrow worse than any slave. Hear, gentle daughters of primeval Night, Hear, namesake of great Pallas; Athens, first Of cities, pity this dishonored shade, The ghost of him who once was OEDIPUS. (Scene 1) As Aristotle defines tragedy as an ‘imitation of an action’, he differentiates it from history as history deals with the depiction of the incidents while tragedy deals with acts that are presented on stage. This trait of tragedy demands from a dramatist to present such actions which may give tragedy its true status. The doings and ultimate outcomes of the doings should be dramatized to make it true imitation of nature. Oedipus at Colonus is also devoid of any formidable action. Aristotle gives plot a higher place in tragedy. To him this is the very soul of tragedy. The edifice of tragic drama can be erected on a compact and skillfully knit plot. The incidents of the story should have ‘ cause and effect” structure. The actions of the characters should be viewed in this framework. The doings of the characters bring about their downfall. There are discoveries and reversals in the structure which create the appropriate dramatic effect. The complexity of the plot is the thing that is appreciated by Aristotle (Potts 31). But Oedipus at Colonus is weaved around a simplest storyline which just depicts the foretold end of the sinned man who in past dared defy gods and met his tragic fate .The play only seems to be the sequel of the first play merely portraying the end of Oedipus thus giving the story of Oedipus a logical end. Diction or language of the tragedy is one of the stylistic embellishments which lend tragedy a higher status in poetic art .It uses grand style in the tradition of an epic as it is to deal with ‘serious actions’ having strong implications on the lives of the dramatic personae as well as the audience .So the diction used in tragedy should be flowery employing all sorts of poetic devices to gain the desired effect. Rhetoric was beautifully exploited by the Greek masters and the speeches in tragedy have won great deal of admiration from the audience. Oedipus at Colonus lacks the vigorous speeches we find in other tragedies. These are bald prosaic speeches. I cannot go, disabled as I am Doubly, by lack of strength and lack of sight; But one of you may do it in my stead; For one, I trow, may pay the sacrifice Of thousands, if his heart be real and true.(Scene1) The old man who has rendezvous with destiny is quite unenthusiastic in his speeches. The only emotive speeches are just curses hurled on those who wronged this poor soul. Hi raillery on hearing about the presence of his son POLYNEICES: Begone, abhorred, disowned, no son of mine, Thou vilest of the vile! Melody is also the essential part of the drama. Tragedy includes musical element in the form of Chorus. But According to Aristotle Chorus is not the source of diversion rather it should be integrated into the plot of the tragedy. It should be present there as an actor and choral chanting should be employed to further the course of events in the tragedy. The technique of Chorus has been employed quite efficiently in the play, but unlike other plays the Chorus is not omniscient, rather it is like all other characters unaware of the identity of Oedipus. Wanderer, now thou art at rest, Tell me of thy birth and home, From what far country art thou come, Led on thy weary way, declare! (Scene 1) Outward stage effects, settings and all other stage embellishment come in the category of Spectacle. It is device that is used to create the proper scenic effect. As tragedy mostly dealt heroic themes depicting the exploits of the heroes, so spectacle was an appropriate instrument to create the dramatic effect.Spactacle of the play under discussion is not as fascinating as Oedipus the king. In his definition of the tragedy (Potts 24) , Aristotle discusses the concept of Catharsis(purgation, cleansing ) of the tragic emotions created during the action of the tragedy. The emotions dealt in a tragedy are pity and fear. Pity is aroused when we see some person in miserable plight and the feeling of fear is created in us when we put ourselves in the same situation in our imagination. It is the job of playwright to bring about proper purgation by reducing these passions to a healthy balance. Pity is omnipresent in Oedipus at Colonus but the audiences see it as exclusively the fate of the protagonist. To conclude, it may be added that Oedipus at Colonus is the sequel of Oedipus the king. But in its execution it is a no match to its predecessor which can be presented as a perfect example of Aritstotelian.Only the former is mentioned in Aristotle’s poetics and latter can be remembered as the part of the trilogy. Oedipus at Colonus fails to come up to Aristotle’s criterion. Works Cited Potts, L. J. Aristotle on the Art of Fiction. London: Cambridge Univer­sity Press, 1953. Read More