Topics for Discussion on Oedipus Rex




TOPICS for DISCUSSION on OEDIPUS REX
1. Did the gods ordain Oedipus to kill his father and sleep with his mother or did they simply foresee that he would do that?
2. If the gods ordained Oedipus to kill his father and sleep with his mother, is Oedipus guilty of his actions? Why or why not?
3. If someone is genetically predisposed to psychosis and is raised in an abusive environment which will assure psychotic behavior, is that person responsible for her/his behavior?

4. Does OEDIPUS REX conform to Aristotle’s POETICS? Why or why not?
5. Oedipus was noted for his keen intellect; how did his intellectual powers ultimately lead to his downfall?
6. Is Oedipus an arrogant, rash man? Explain; give evidence. If you find that he is, then did his arrogance and rashness lead to his downfall?
7. Is there freewill according to the Greeks? Why or why not? Do you believe in free will? Why?
8. There is a belief called “determinism” which maintains that your fate, your decisions are determined even before your birth due to genetic, environmental, historical and societal factors which are in place even before your birth. What do you think? Is there a cause for determinism in OEDIPUS REX?
Discuss the above questions and/or come up with your questions and answers for your Socratic discussion on Friday.

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