Freytag's Triangle and "Oedipus the King" (Oedipus Rex)
In his book Technique of the Drama (1863), the German critic Gustav Freytag created a method for understanding the narrative structure of a drama called Freytag's Triangle, also known as Freytag's Pyramid because of its focus on the climax of the tale as the most important part of any story("Freytag's Triangle," EnglishBiz, 2007).The first few scenes or moments, also known the incisive action, touches off the story, introduces the major characters and issues, and arouses the interest of the viewer. The causes or the reasons for the drama are downplayed, the effects or the emotional impact of the scenes are stressed ("Freytag's Triangle," EnglishBiz, 2007). This is perfectly embodied in the beginning of Sophocles' tragedy of "Oedipus Rex," when the current king of Thebes vows to discover the cause of the plague afflicting his adopted city. He will expel the man who brought down the curse upon the city, just as he freed the city from the grip
Of course, Oedipus is utterly distraught at this news. He was assaulted by an old man on the road, coming to Thebes and killed the man in a quarrel. He hoped to avoid his fate, so he tried to protect his parents by abandoning them. A servant tells what happens off-stage. No man can avoid his fate, and Oedipus leaves the stage as a blind outcast, an object of pity and horror. The old man he killed in a roadside quarrel was Jocasta's husband, King Laius, and he is really Jocasta's son. Now, he learns that the former King Laius' murderer is being punished via the plague afflicting the entire city. The mystery that begin the play is now unraveled-and so is the life of the title character. He is overcome with horror and grief, and he departs from the stage, having been proved wrong by Tiresias. Oedipus was born the child, the king believes, of a simple rural family. He was abandoned at birth when his real, royal family learned of his destiny. He has not escaped his horrible, unhappy destiny, and his opening words to the Theban people unintentionally cursed his life and banished him from the kingdom. By talking with a former attendant of the old king, he comes to realize that the humble couple that raised him was his adoptive family, not his real family. At the climax, there is a crisis, a revelation, and the causes of the tragedy, as well as their effects and implications are stressed.
Common topics in this essay:
Laius Jocasta's,
King Laius',
Oedipus Rex,
Triangle EnglishBiz,
Oracle Delphi,
Gustav Freytag,
Freytag's Pyramid,
Technique Drama,
freytag's triangle,
,
cause plague,
king laius',
plague afflicting,
avoid fate,
triangle englishbiz,
Freytag's Triangle,
|
Acceptance Essays
