In Oedipus Rex, Communication played a larger role than I originally thought. I don't know if Oedipus' character would have been so complex is Oedipus did not think out loud or verbally communicate every one of his feelings. Yes, it is a play, so naturally one would share their feelings verbally, but it is more than that for Oedipus. Even as he is addressing his people, he does not filter his words or feelings. Why does Oedipus feel this need, this desire, to always communicate what he feels?
I was not purposely "looking for myself" in Oedipus, but I did find myself naturally empathizing with him on more than one occasion. In doing this, I think I have found a possible answer to this question: Oedipus verbalizes his concerns and ideas in an attempt to convince and justify himself. If he can offer yet another solution, if he can argue with Tierisias for one more second, if he can just keep speaking, he can deny the bitter truth that awaits him. Through constant communication, Oedipus can appear strong when he may be overcome by weakness and doubt.
In the end, as Oedipus finally faces the truth, he cannot stop talking. He cannot stop telling everyone how damaged and disgusting his existence truly is. This is again because he is trying to validate what he knows he must learn to see as true: that he is not the man he always thought he was. Oedipus uses verbal communication to convince himself of the truth.
I love this post, its thinking! This is a great sequence:
ReplyDeleteIn the end, as Oedipus finally faces the truth, he cannot stop talking. He cannot stop telling everyone how damaged and disgusting his existence truly is.
Maybe this is why we story-tell--a way of validating our existence.