Sophocles Uses A Well-Known Greek Legend, In Sophocles, To Engage His Audience

Oedipus the King Essay


During the time before the birth of Christ many civilizations were born and broken. Ancient Greece was a particularly renowned civilization because of the many major leaps in all cultural and academic aspects. It was at this time that modern theatre began. The legend of Oedipus was a story that everyone knew but it was Sophocles who turned this story into a masterpiece. The legend of Oedipus is about Oedipus, the King of Thebes, and his quest to find the murderer of the previous King, Laius. The qualities of Oedipus’ character cause a prophecy to be uncovered, and the murderer that Oedipus is searching for turns out to be Oedipus himself. Sophocles had a unique playwriting style that fully engaged his audience, in both ancient and contemporary times. To engage his audience, Sophocles used universal and controversial themes, structured the play specially, used dramatic irony, and emphasized the character of Oedipus.

The interest of the audience is indisp...